This page is dedicated to remembering some of the Northwest Territories residents who passed away in 2024, through the eyes of those who knew them well.
On this page, we have collected obituaries we published over the course of the past 12 months.
The staff of Cabin Radio extend our thoughts and condolences to all families in the territory who lost a loved one this year.
Names and details on this page are shown as they were provided to Cabin Radio by those who spoke in tribute to people who had passed.
If you’d like to know more about how our obituaries are published, we have included information at the foot of the page.
Rory Voudrach
Excerpted from Cabin Radio’s obituary published on January 15, 2024.
Rory Voudrach, chair of the Inuvik Community Corporation and a maker of ulus and knives, was 50 years old when he passed away on January 5, surrounded at home by almost all of his family.
Family motivated most of what Rory did in the last 10 years of his life, daughter Tamara Voudrach told Cabin Radio.
“He was a visionary and a true leader of our people, an example of what a community leader should be,” she said.
“He cared about our future and he based his decisions, his work and his purpose around that. For me, if you’re able to look into the future, see where we want our people to go and what we need to do to get there, that’s true leadership.
“He really validated people. He was able to recognize a person’s strengths and almost pull it out of them and say, ‘Here, look what you can do. I know you can do this.’
“If Rory told you you’re good at something, you believed him. If Rory said you could do it, you believed him. People believed in him and in that way, they were able to feel confident. They were able to rise to where they were meant to be.” (Read our obituary in full.)
Howie Benwell
Excerpted from Cabin Radio’s obituary published on January 27, 2024.
Howie Benwell “was always able to light up the crowd or light up the room with his jokes,” his sister Crystal Benwell said.
Howie was one of six people who lost their life in a plane crash outside Fort Smith.
Benwell says her younger brother had “such a kind heart” and was great at helping to console people.
“It’s been pretty tough and it’s hard to believe,” she said of the accident. “It feels like a dream that we have yet to wake up from.”
Howie turned 30 earlier this month, Benwell said, and she made him a cake, decorated with a Type O Negative theme, one of his favourite bands.
“He just loved it,” she said.
Howie was a skateboarder and musician with a collection of instruments. He played bass, guitar and drums, and he also sang. Benwell remembers him as someone who “listened to music all the time.”
(Tributes were paid to all of those who lost their lives in the crash. Read our obituary for Howie in full.)
Angus Beaulieu
Excerpted from Cabin Radio’s obituary published on February 13, 2024.
Angus Beaulieu, a renowned Métis fiddler and master storyteller, passed away peacefully among family in his Fort Resolution home on February 10.
The 89-year-old “just loved to see people happy,” said Tony Buggins, a longtime friend. “It was amazing to watch people around him. He was a very kind man, very warm, very easy to be near.”
“His knowledge of Fort Resolution was very vast, deep, and long,” said Angus’s nephew, Tom Beaulieu.
“He had carried a lot of his oral history from his grandfather. He imparted all kinds of stories to Angus.”
Born on August 9, 1934 near Fort Resolution, Angus spent his life on the land and in connection with his Métis roots. You could find him out on the trapline by dog team, harvesting meat and fish, or chopping wood to dry fish.
He was an expert fiddler and founding member of The Native Cousins, a travelling band formed in the 1970s known for music you could dance to.
“I’ll tell you one thing about Angus’s power of playing the fiddle,” said Buggins. “You could see him work the audience, and all I’d see is a dance floor full of people, heads bouncing, smiling. Over and over and over. He’d give people permission to be happy for two or three hours. That was his magic.” (Read our obituary in full.)
Wally Firth
Excerpted from Cabin Radio’s obituary published on March 4, 2024.
“I do not believe that any government in any other part of the world would allow such a stupid situation to exist.”
With those words, Wally Firth introduced himself to Parliament.
As the Northwest Territories’ newly elected MP, Wally, who was Métis, used his maiden speech in January 1973 to tell his new colleagues they were getting it totally wrong – starting with the size of the job he’d just been given.
The “stupid situation” he was talking about? Having one person represent 1.3 million square miles of land stretching from Inuvik to Iqaluit and beyond.
Wally passed away on Saturday, March 2, according to friends of his and the records of a funeral home in Victoria, BC. He was 89 years old.
He served from 1972 to 1979 as the NWT’s New Democratic MP, and is remembered for his bombast, personality and charisma in that role, playing his part in a broader awakening of northern, Indigenous voices on a national political level.
He was also an extraordinary fiddler, a pilot, a CBC broadcaster and one of 13 siblings.
In Fort McPherson today, ties to Wally and gratitude for his service remain strong.
“He put us on the map,” said longtime Gwich’in leader James Ross by phone.
“People will learn a lot about Wally Firth’s accomplishments in the next little while, and there’ll be truly an opportunity for people to not only pay respects, but to recognize that this is one of the unsung heroes of the North.” (Read our obituary in full.)
Tom Pisz
Excerpted from Cabin Radio’s obituary published on June 18, 2024.
“When you meet Dr Pisz for the first time, he was this big, tough, bearded man.” But as you got to know him, Sienna Hart Kellar said, “you realize that he was actually just a giant softie under there.”
Tom Pisz grew up surrounded by animals in communist Poland, reaching the North as a refugee via Toronto and Newfoundland. In Yellowknife, he became near-universally known among pet owners simply as Dr Pisz, a man who seemed to have infinite time for animals – if slightly less time for their owners.
Dr Pisz passed away at the age of 68. Great Slave Animal Hospital, which he founded, described him as “instrumental in bringing and maintaining veterinary care to the North.”
He was exposed to animals from an early age due to his father’s veterinary work, and loved horses in particular, developing his riding skills at a local stable and later competing in high-level dressage and show jumping.
His passion for horses remained throughout his life and, over time, he was able to slowly realize his dream of bringing horses to Yellowknife. He established North Country Stables, starting with just a couple of horses and eventually building it up to a larger stable with an indoor riding arena, grassy pastures, and the capacity to house 20 horses. (Read our obituary in full.)
Tom Frith
Excerpted from Cabin Radio’s obituary published on July 2, 2024.
Great Slave Helicopters described pilot Tom Frith as a “beacon of light” as the company confirmed he was the individual who lost their life in an accident in Fort Good Hope.
In a written tribute published online, the company said Tom had been “beloved by all who had the privilege of knowing him.”
“As we navigate this time of sorrow, let us hold on to the memories of Tom – his smile, laughter, the love, and the countless ways he made our lives better. His legacy will live on in his beautiful young family and the hearts of all who knew him,” the company wrote.
Tom, originally from Australia, joined Great Slave Helicopters in 2018. He and his wife have two young children.
“Our heart felt condolences to Tom’s wife, children, parents, brothers and all extended family and friends in Yellowknife and Australia,” the company’s tribute continued. “Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May you find solace in the love and strength Tom shared with us all.” (Read our obituary in full.)
Cheyenne Alexie
Excerpted from Cabin Radio’s obituary published on July 22, 2024. While Cheyenne passed away in late 2023, we remembered her in 2024.
Cheyenne Skye Koe Alexie is remembered by her family as funny, caring, and joyful – as someone who lit up every room she entered.
“She’d be laughing and talking with everybody. That was Cheyenne,” Roberta Alexie told Cabin Radio.
“She just put her own stuff aside and made the next person feel so loved and cared for. She was like that with all the Elders.”
Time spent with Cheyenne was filled with laughter, jokes and talking, Roberta said. Roberta and Cheyenne shared a close relationship throughout her life. The two were pregnant together and their sons are now three months apart.
Born on June 28, 1990, Cheyenne was 33 when she passed.
Roberta was Cheyenne’s auntie. Over the years, the two became close as sisters.
“To watch her grow up is something else and to be beside her every step of the way up until she passed on,” Roberta said. “She was just somebody so special and unique to us.” (Read our obituary in full.)
Tyler Peterson
Excerpted from Cabin Radio’s obituary published on September 11, 2024.
Relatives of Tyler Peterson, who passed away in August at the age of 41, say he was a loving father, brother, son and friend remembered for his generous heart.
Born on October 7, 1982, Tyler moved to Hay River at eight months old and spent his life in the community he loved. He was at his happiest in the bush, fishing and hunting.
From the time he could walk, Tyler was active and busy, according to his mother, Lorraine Peterson. In Hay River, Tyler was known for his warmth and willingness to lend a hand when people needed it.
Father to Thalis, 14, Cohen, 13, Delray, six, and Charlee, five, Tyler loved spending time with his kids and would take them on adventures on the land.
He is survived by his parents, Lorraine and Kris, and siblings Travis and Karla.
“He was an amazing father and partner. He was very hands-on with the children,” said Montana Delray Mandeville, who had four children with Tyler. “He was a hard worker. He wanted to provide and work for his family.” (Read our obituary in full.)
Tony Whitford
Excerpted from Cabin Radio’s obituary published on September 16, 2024.
Tony Whitford, who is Métis and grew up in Fort Smith, passed away at the age of 83.
He served on Fort Smith’s town council before he was elected to the NWT Legislative Assembly in 1988. He served three terms as an MLA, including as a cabinet member and speaker.
In 2005, Whitford was appointed as commissioner of the NWT until his term ended in April 2010.
Beyond his political career, Whitford was also a longtime volunteer with the Yellowknife Rotary Club, obtained a bachelor degree in social work, and worked as a justice of the peace, among other roles.
He was honoured with several awards during his lifetime and was inducted into the Order of the NWT in 2016. He was also an honourary captain with the Royal Canadian Navy.
In a statement issued on behalf of the NWT Legislative Assembly, Speaker Shane Thompson wrote that Whitford’s legacy is “woven into the very fabric” of the legislature.
“Tony was a cherished presence in our halls. His frequent visits, full of warmth, stories and laughter, brought a special light to the assembly that we will deeply miss,” Thompson wrote. (Read our obituary in full.)
Coleen McClean
Excerpted from Cabin Radio’s obituary published on September 21, 2024.
Whether you met Coleen distributing food at Yellowknife’s Food Bank or heard her laughter at a community gathering, Coleen’s warmth touched the lives of many Yellowknifers.
Born February 2, 1950 in Scarborough, Ontario, Coleen Laura McClean first moved to the North in 1980, where she lived in Fort Good Hope. She then studied at Aurora College’s Thebacha Campus in Fort Smith, and later worked in the Eastern Arctic and then Yellowknife.
Coleen passed away surrounded by her family at Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife on August 29, 2024, at 74 years old.
Known for her humour, good-nature, beadwork, and love of storytelling, Coleen will be missed on camping trips to Fred Henne Territorial Park, family holidays, and drives to sit at the water. (Read our obituary in full.)
Alex Beaulieu
Excerpted from Cabin Radio’s obituary published on October 24, 2024.
Alex Beaulieu passed away on October 20 at the age of 79. He was “born in old Snow Drift, also known as The Gap,” his family told Cabin Radio in a message.
He worked as a lineman for telecoms companies, travelling internationally for his work, before retiring from Northwestel in the 1980s to join the world of mineral exploration.
“He often shared stories about the first surface diamond he found back in the 1980s that got away from him,” daughter-in-law Kari VanGeffen said by email.
“He was told by other geologists that the world would have to spin over twice to have diamonds here, and now look at the North.”
Even as Alex spent his days trying to push the NWT’s economy forward, he still set aside “time at the dump finding treasures.”
“Although Alex had many struggles in his life,” VanGeffen wrote, “including spending his childhood in residential school, even through all the hardship Alex was a rock to his family who taught his family about love and forgiveness.
“Alex has a huge extended family and was the best father, grandfather, great-grandfather, sibling, uncle, cousin, and friend anyone could ask for.” (Read our obituary in full.)
Kyle Kefalas
Excerpted from Cabin Radio’s obituary published on November 5, 2024.
Friends and family of Kyle Kefalas say he was a kind, caring and well-loved person who was a Jeopardy whiz and avid sports fan with a vast collection of jerseys and baseball hats.
Kyle passed away on October 11 at the age of 35.
Alex Schmalz first met Kyle, her future husband, in 2009 at the lineup for the Monkey Tree bar. They began dating in 2012.
After delaying their wedding due to the Covid-19 pandemic, they got married on November 16, 2021, the third anniversary of their engagement.
Schmalz described Kyle as “a very kind, very generous person.”
“He had this ability to have a conversation with anybody and he was always genuinely interested in what you were saying,” she said, adding he was a very social person with many different friend groups.
“He was just able to connect with everybody, I don’t know a single person that didn’t like him.” (Read our obituary in full.)
Gail Cyr
Excerpted from Cabin Radio’s obituary published on December 7, 2024.
Gail Cyr had just hit 30 when she struck out into Yellowknife politics in the early 1980s.
On the campaign trail, she recalled in a 2018 radio broadcast, she was told by many residents disillusioned with local politics: “You’re all bought off. You’re all paid off.”
Having been subsequently elected, she turned up at the opening meeting – a training session for council led by then-deputy mayor Pat McMahon – and waited until McMahon asked if anyone had questions.
“I put up my hand,” Gail recalled, “and I told them: ‘All the time I was canvassing, I heard people were being paid off and there was money in their back pockets. And so I want to know… like, I never got any. Was I being discriminated against?’
“You could hear a pin drop.”
There would be no paying off Gail, who served for a decade on Yellowknife City Council as one of its few Indigenous, female members in the 20th century.
“She was always an advocate for the underdog. She was very vocal. She would not just take what was told to her by administration,” said Marie Coe, who served alongside her at the time and said she shared Gail’s northern Cree background.
Gail, who passed away at the age of 71, lived a series of remarkable lives, almost all of them in service of the people of the North. No matter how well you knew her, there is probably a version of her you never met – always vocal, always an advocate.
Her ceaseless volunteerism earned her investiture into the Order of Canada. She gave decades of service to politics, the rights of Indigenous people, and the theatre and broader arts community. (Read our obituary in full.)
Obituaries on Cabin Radio’s website
Obituaries for key NWT public figures are a feature of Cabin Radio’s news coverage and written once a person’s death has been confirmed by our reporters.
Beyond that, we try to write obituaries throughout each year that reflect the full range of lives lived in the territory, remembering people who made significant contributions to the NWT or a specific community or cause.
Sometimes, our obituaries are written in consultation with family members who approach Cabin Radio for help documenting the life of a loved one.
While the small size of our newsroom means our capacity is sometimes limited, we invite anyone grieving the loss of an NWT resident to contact us if they’d like our help in preparing an account of the person’s life. If we can assist, we will do so at no cost.
