Rosie Betthale-Reid was someone you could count on in some of the most challenging times, having played an important role in translating crucial information during the Covid-19 pandemic and during wildfire seasons.
The Fort Liard resident passed away suddenly last week at the age of 70.
Born on Maxhamish Lake (also known as Sandy Lake) in northern British Columbia, Rosie worked as an alcohol and drug counsellor in Hay River before she and her husband, Kyle, retired to Fort Liard.
Rosie loved being on the land and found peace in the bush.
She was known as an incredible fisher, according to her son, Steven Steeves.
“She could always catch dinner. Didn’t matter if it was a little pond or a river or anything, she always caught a fish,” said Steeves.
He described her as a wonderful mother and community member.
“Any time you’d be sad or anything, she would just know, and she would come and talk to you, and hold on to you, and give you a hug and say things will be better and get you out of the rut,” said Steeves.
While she could sometimes be stern – “she just said it the way it was” – Rosie’s warm smile and laugh were known across the NWT.
When travelling through Fort Liard, Mary Andre Tambour said she would always keep an eye out for her friend Rosie.
In a Facebook message, Tambour wrote that Rosie was “always happy to help others that needed her help.”
Rosie was also known to be a bit cheeky at times, and would tease Tambour’s husband about things that happened when they were in school together.
“She told me he was her first crush in school… she made me laugh,” said Tambour.
Rosie was a residential school survivor, having attended the Sacred Heart School in Fort Providence.
In a eulogy read at her memorial service, it was said that in quiet moments, Rosie would reflect on some of the more difficult moments she endured. The sadness could overwhelm her but she would sometimes snap out of it and say, “take me on now,” with a mischievous laugh.
Mike Westwick described Rosie as an “extraordinarily resilient woman.”
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Westwick – who works in communications at the Government of the Northwest Territories – said Rosie played an important role in translating critical health information.
She would interpret messages from the GNWT into Dene Zhatıé and read them on air for the local radio station.
“She stepped up to the plate during a time where it was pretty scary for her,” said Westwick.
Westwick’s favourite memory of Rosie was when they met in person for the first time.
Previously, they had spoken exclusively over the phone. Westwick currently works as a wildfire information officer and during the 2024 season, he travelled to Fort Liard when a fire began to burn near the community.
Within the first hour of Westwick being there, Rosie showed up to the command post, looking for ways to help.
When the two recognized each other, Westwick said they shared a big hug.
He said it brought him comfort and “a big lift in morale” to know that they’d be working together again in such uncertain times for the community.
“That’s just something you can count on Rosie for. I think she makes you feel supported and welcome,” said Westwick.
He said one of her primary motivations was to keep people informed, and to help everyone in her community – her grandkids, especially – feel safe.
“We were really scared here, and people were confused,” said Steeves.
“She would just come along and explain to them what’s going on, and to take it easy and things will be fine.”
Last summer, Westwick said Rosie went out of her way to speak with hunters and trappers to learn the local name for unnamed islands on the GNWT’s maps. This, he said, helped improve communication between residents and fire officials.
For her efforts, Westwick said it was hard to get Rosie to accept any compensation.
“She refused to take money. I basically had to force the cheque on her,” said Westwick.
“It just speaks to Rosie as a person, always willing to lend a hand and make things better for people.”
