A Database of the Dead

My godfather, the lovely husband of my mother’s sister. He was very sick and died just before his retirement. He laughed so heartily at jokes. I often saw him at traditional pigs slaughters on his land. I have good memories of him.

My grandfather’s second wife, my father’s mother. She worked a lot in the pub her husband owned in Monor. She cooked and helped out in any way she could. When her husband became disabled, she took care of him. She was an excellent cook and I always liked visiting her and staying at her place.

My father’s father, my grandfather. He owned a small pub and a piece of land in Monor. He loved drinking spritzers and having people around him... He was quite overbearing but a more positive memory I have is when he slaughtered a rooster for lunch because it had attacked me.

My mother’s father, my grandfather, the husband of Julianna Burján. He was a shoe repairman. In Monor, he would give me a plain kifli (a type of crescent roll) with chicory coffee for breakfast—the tase of which I still have in my mouth. I can also remember his kitchen like it is right in front of me. He lived 76 years.

Susie was my sister with Downs Syndrome. She died when I was in my early 20’s and her death gave me awareness of mortality, driving the beginning of my career❤️

My grandmother, my mother’s mother. She worked a lot as a laundress for wealthy families. She was 62 years old when she died—I remember her being very sick and in need of daily care. I will never forget the many many bedtime stories she told me when I slept next to her in Monor.

Gary was gentle, a Weslyan missionary. He got depressed. I told him he needed help but my brother insisted Jesus was his therapist. He drank anti freeze. As he was dying I sang him a first nations lullaby because it was the only song there.

Brenda was my best friend from the time we sat beside each other in grade 7 until an aneurysm took her at 28. We always chose each other first.

Ryan was my band mate many years ago. To the band he brought his awesome saxophone chops, a love of stripping down to a speedo for our ridiculous stage antics, high energy and high kicks.

Several family members remember Edna Bernard, 28, as being a good mother who loved her children immensely. A friend saw Edna in a vehicle with unknown people in Edmonton on Sept. 22, 2002. Her body was found in a farmer’s field in Leduc, Alberta .

Fontaine was raised by her great-aunt for most of her life, beginning around age 5.[6] They lived on the Sagkeeng First Nation, 121 km northeast Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Known for her laughter and smile. In November 2004, her remains were found on the Robert Pickton farm.

Abraham, 39, was the mother of five. Her family said she had her heart and mind set on going to post-secondary school.

Andrews was 22 years old and died after being shot by police who were responding to a reported robbery. He was the third Indigenous person to be killed by Winnipeg police in 10 days, and the fourth police shooting victim in the city in 2020

Murdered by the police on April 6, 2020 in Brampton, ON. He was a loving son, brother, and nephew. He was a bright young kid who always had his hand up in class, no matter what the teacher’s question was. He was 26 years old.

It is with great sadness the family announces the devastating passing of Eishia Loletta Hudson, at the age of 16 years. She was taken tragically, shot by the Winnipeg Police, Wednesday, April 8, 2020; she was born June 2, 2003, in Winnipeg, MB.

She is survived by her mother Christie Zebrasky; her father William Hudson (Cheyenne Ducharme); her brothers, Doryan Thomas (Destiny Paul) Ryheem Hudson and Domonic Collins; her sisters, Nakita Hudson, Mary-Ann Hudson and Anastasia Hudson; maternal grandparents, Audrey Zebrasky (Norman Brier) and Melvin Moar; her nieces, Taleiah, Charlene, Camilla, Lillian Eternity and Serenity; nephew Robert; her close cousins, Ashley Asham, Tanisha Laporte, Bella Zebrasky, Darian Hudson, Alexie Hudson, Savannah Hudson, Liam Hudson, Tyson Kutroski, Teanna Kutroski, Gracie Kutroski, Michael Hudson, Michelle Hudson, Chanel Hudson, Dakota Hudson and Darnell Hudson; her first love Sarah Fontaine, and a numerous amount of family and friends.

Eishia was predeceased by paternal grandparents, Mary Swain and Ernie Schinde.

Eishia was born in Winnipeg but raised by her paternal grandmother Mary Swain in Berens River, MB until her passing. At the age of eight Eishia moved to the city, living with her mom and siblings. She was full of life, anywhere she went she made a friend, she loved sports no matter the season. Eishia had a smile that glowed and a laugh that was contagious. When Eishia loved, she loved hard, she gave you her all. When children came around it was an instant bond with Eishia, children were her weakness.

Eishia will be missed a great deal,
She didn't need wings to be an angel.
She had a heart of gold.

Jason will be forever remembered for his contagious laugh, great sense of humour, easy going demeanour and the biggest smile that could light up any room. He was respectful, kind, caring and would do anything to help others. He loved his children and wanted what was best for them. He enjoyed gaming out and listening to music. He was the life of a party and left many special memories with all that knew him.

Jason grew up in the Brooklands area in Winnipeg most of his childhood. Jason and his close friends created a hangout known as “the pink” where they spent most of their teenage years together. He was active in all sports and especially loved playing hockey. He worked on the power-lines across Canada and this is where he excelled. He was fearless and enjoyed the freedom of being up on the towers.