Remembering Joseph & Amy
Remembering Joseph Portincasa
Joseph was a member of the BRCA, and cared about and loved his community. This picture was taken at the BRCA during a memorial for an extended family member, Barb Lafrentz, in August 2019. Joseph was so determined and dedicated to putting on a thoughtful, beautiful gathering to honour and asked for help from the community.
Barb never left Joseph’s side. They were often seen together in Bridgeland, where they lived, and in the Core. They had a friendship bond that couldn’t be broken.
Remembering an Indigenous Cree Warrior,
Amelia Nora Willier (Amy), 1982 - 2021
I was looking through my photos and found the most beautiful picture of Amy and her father, Russell Willier. He was known for his Black Stetson hat, his trademark. Her father is in the last row, on the left side, and Amy is in the third row, on the right side. I believe the photo was taken at an event held by Knowledge Keepers’ Daryl and Linda, who are both so gifted. I will never forget this day - it was a very special event.
Amy’s father was the main speaker, from the Sucker Creek Cree Nation, up north. It was an afternoon filled with listening. We shared a meal and reminisced on the time we spent together over the last two and a half years. I, myself, had been coming to this event every Saturday for a long time.
I remember a poignant moment: Amy was sitting there, listening to her father, and I saw tears swell in her eyes, and with her hands to the side of her face, she began to whimper and weep.
Her father was speaking about his astounding stories about hunting, living off the land, the sweat lodges he built, and about his Cultural Camps, where he taught whoever wanted to listen and learn.
When I looked over at Amy, I began to cry. As I was wiping my tears away, I embraced Amy to reassure her, telling her to be proud and honoured about bringing her dad here. I said, “Yes, your father is so gifted about the Knowledge that he has about our Way of Life. For many years, he has committed to being there and helping others. He does beyond the call.”
Her face lit up. She was pleased that we were listening with attentiveness, silence across the room. We put our hands to our heart, and our souls were filled listening to Amy’s father talk about the 7 Sacred Grandfather, teachings about Honesty, Truth, Humility, Love, Wisdom, Courage, and Respect. I wept a few tears that day when we talked about Love, being concerned and caring for each other.
I will genuinely miss Amy, and visiting her mother Yvonne at their Indigenous business, Moonstone Creations, to look at the latest crafts and jewellery they had there. I will miss seeing Amy set up her craft tent at the Stampede’s Elbow River Camp. I would like to see her business, Moonstone Creations, carry on her legacy. When Amy spoke, people listened. She was a visionary and a motivational speaker. She had a voice that people listened to, about what she believed in. She will be missed by many.
These tributes were written by Andie Wolf Leg, a long-time advocate for vulnerable Calgarians, Indigenous Street Newspaper Vendor (& Author), and a familiar face at City Hall. You can get in touch with Andie via email - eastsidesolitary@gmail.com