One of Canada’s most beloved Indigenous elders, leaders and visionaries has died.
Grandmother (Nokomis) Pauline Shirt, Nimikiiquay or Thunder Woman as she was also known, died on 7 May. She was 80 years old.
Shirt, a Plains Cree elder of the Red-Tail Hawk clan, was born on July 13, 1943 in the Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Alberta, but had called Toronto home for many years. The mother of five was a longtime resident of Riverdale’s Bain Co-op.
Predeceased by his mother Louisa, father Felix, siblings Bill, Joseph, Ursula, Mary, Jenny, Lillian, Louise and Kathy, and son-in-law Eric, Shirt leaves behind his sister Leona and children Deanna, Luana (Scott) . Clayton (Linda), Ted (Valentina) and Les (Erin), as well as their grandchildren Rose, Levy (Gina), Felesha, Cheyenne, Joseph, Julia, Serafina, Raymond, Anthony, Dakota, Phoenix and Baby Pauline, and the great -grandchildren Avalon, Avery, Shawnee, Averix, Seven, Avaidan, Kobe and Amira.
“Our mother’s enduring legacy shines brightly within each of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and will continue to flow like healthy waters into the future,” her daughter wrote in a statement provided to CP24.com Thursday evening.
Shirt was a lifelong educator and advocate for indigenous rights.
Her activism and community work began more than 40 years ago, when she established the Ontario chapter of the Native Peoples’ Caravan to Ottawa in 1974 with her late husband, Vern Harper.
Two years later, the couple founded Canada’s first Indigenous-led and focused school because they wanted a culturally safe and appropriate space for their child to learn.
It was initially known as the Wandering Spirit Survival School and operated from his home. In 1983, the Toronto District School Board recognized the alternative school as a Cultural Survival/Native Pathway program and six years later, it was renamed the Toronto First Nations School. Since 2018/19, the kindergarten through grade 12 program at 16 Phin Ave. has been known as Kâpapâmahchakwêw – Wandering Spirit School.
More recently, Shirt, who spoke and sang in Cree, served as Guardian of indigenous knowledge and wisdom at George Brown College in downtown Toronto.
In a news release, President Dr. Gervan Fearon said his impact and contribution to the school was “profound and will always be appreciated.”
“She served as a beacon of support to many, generously sharing her cultural knowledge, spiritual wisdom and guidance,” he wrote.
“More than just a leader, Grandma Pauline illuminated our path with deep knowledge and a kind spirit, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts. “Elder Pauline Shirt’s teachings, ways of being, and sharing of knowledge will live on with all those she has touched.”
In 2022, Shirt was appointed to the Order of Ontario for her lifelong dedication to Indigenous education.
She was also the founder of the first clinic for indigenous holistic practitioners, Red Willow, which opened in 1984, as well as a member of the Three Fires Society and the Buffalo Dance Society.
Additionally, Shirt mentored and mentored various organizations, families, and youth.
In a statement posted on social media, imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival remembered her not only as a leader within her team (Shirt acted as her cultural advisor) but as a “beacon of inspiration to all who knew her.”
“(His) spirit of kindness, compassion and patience will continue to guide us in the days to come,” they wrote.
“…(Grandma Pauline) left an indelible mark on our hearts and a legacy of advocacy for Indigenous voices, language revitalization and understanding. May we all honor her memory by treating each other with care, empathy and kindness, remembering what she taught us.”
The Indigenous Harm Reduction Network/Wewena Training and Consulting, co-founded by Shirt’s son Les, called her an “extraordinary person” who “shared her gifts with us and taught many.”
“Words cannot express the deep loss our community feels. … Miigwech Nookmis Pauline baa for everything you have done for our communities,” the organization wrote.
Red Sky Performance, which also benefited from Shirt’s knowledge and support, also expressed its deep sadness at his passing.
“We express our deepest condolences to his family and to grandmother Pauline, may you sing well on the other ancestral side. We want to say chi miigwetch, thank you, for everything you have given to our community and our people. “We will miss you,” they wrote.
Indigenous Fashion Arts (IFA) remembered Shirt as a “friend, advisor, mentor and trusted elder to us all.”
“We will always remember her for her generous teachings, her loving and supportive family, and her passion for fashion and art. “Her memory and legacy will continue to illuminate us and guide our work at IFA,” they said in a statement.
“In honor of Grandma Pauline, we would like to share one of her quotes: ‘We celebrate, we recognize that spirit and spirit will come to life.’”
Native Earth Performing Arts said Shirt was someone who “truly believed in the power of storytelling and always strived to uplift and empower Indigenous voices.”
“Often providing opportunities for projects and rehearsals, or being invited into processes, Pauline was a kind, strong and incredibly generous leader; Her impact on our community is immeasurable,” the company wrote.
“Chi miigwetch, nookomis Pauline. We thank you, we miss you, we honor you.”
Toronto-Danforth MPP Peter Tabuns also paid tribute to Shirt at Queen’s Park on Thursday.
Visitation for Shirt is scheduled for May 10 at the Bathurst Chapel of Cardinal Funeral Home, 366 Bathurst. St., from 2 to 5 p.m., followed by a funeral the next day at the same location beginning at noon. She is scheduled to be buried at 3pm on May 11 at Pine Hills Cemetery in Scarborough.
At Kapapamahchakwew – School of the Wandering Spirit, a sacred fire has been set up for Grandma Pauline. Community members can come and pay their respects every day after 4 pm Anyone dropping off supplies, food, snacks or firewood can stop by at any time.