PERCY
TUESDAY
Ogimaawigaabaw Bizhiw Nindootem
April 27, 1942 - May 26, 2014
On Monday, May 26, 2014 The Reverend
exited this earthly stage to take his show
to the Spirit World.
Percy was a proud and gifted Ojibway man,
born in Big Grassy River Ojibway Nation,
ON, to Robert and Martha Tuesday (nee
Bluebird). Percy was the second eldest
child of 10 children; he is survived and
deeply missed by Delores, Martin, Rose,
Lorna, and Robert. Percy was a devoted
father, brother, grandfather,
great-grandfather, uncle, cousin and
cherished friend, all were all roles that
Percy celebrated and embraced with
enthusiasm, commitment and joy.
Some of his proudest moments were sharing
the stage with his son Jason. His children
Tracy, Stephanie, Jason, Otis and Robin,
were blessed by Percy's devotion to them,
and he enjoyed his friendship with their
mother Jane; together they adopted and
fostered many other children. Later in his
life Percy was able to be re-united with
his daughter Angeline, an occasion that
brought him much joy. He will be deeply
missed by them.
As a child Percy endured 12 cruel years in
six residential schools. While he always
carried these experiences, he dedicated
his life to making them into something
positive. He became an addictions
counsellor in an era with few supports for
urban Aboriginal persons and was proud to
achieve 27 years of sobriety, and to have
quit smoking 18 years ago. Percy was the
change he wished to see.
Percy was a loving partner to Linda, they
met in 1996 at the Folklorama First
Nations Pavilion and shared 18 years of
intense joy with his music and their
community volunteer work, and their
respective families. He is lovingly
remembered and deeply missed by Linda and
her children and grandsons.
Percy contributed his time to many
organizations throughout the past 40
years, but he was especially proud of
founding the Chief Big Bear Gathering in
1998, with Linda, which was held for 10
years at the Stony Mountain and Rockwood
Institutions in honour of peace and
healing persons in custody.
Music, mainly classic country and blues,
flowed from Percy's soul through his
vocals and guitar. The gentle and
soft-spoken man off-stage unleashed The
Reverend under a spotlight, exploding onto
Winnipeg's music scene at the Indian &
Métis Friendship Centre in the late 60s.
He was lead vocalist for "The Feathermen
Band," which at the time was one of very
few all-Indigenous touring musical groups
in Canada. He was once scheduled to play
with Johnny Cash at Stony Mountain
Institution, but the show was cancelled at
the last minute due to an illness in
Johnny Cash's family.
Percy was extremely proud to be inducted
into the Aboriginal Country Music Hall of
Fame in September, 2013. Percy will always
be remembered for his music, dry wit,
sense of humour, wisdom, traditional
teachings, and storytelling, which will
continue through those who loved him.
Whatever stage he was on, Percy always
thanked the band.
He would likewise want to extend heartfelt
appreciation to his devoted fans
throughout the years, to all of his
special medical care givers, and also to
Neil Bardal and Northridge Funeral Homes
for their part in carrying him home to Big
Grassy. Thank you to all of the most
special friends who helped Linda with
Percy's Celebration of Life, Love and
Friendship party on April 17, 2014 and to
everyone who shared the evening with them
at the IMFC, where The Reverend put on his
guitar and sang for a crowd one more time.
Kitchi Meegwetch to Percy's dear friend
and most respected Elder Gilbert Smith,
who led the traditional ceremonies, and to
his Big Grassy family and community
members who welcomed Percy home and looked
after all the arrangements for the
ceremonies on May 30 and May 31, 2014.
Meegwetch Percy, wish we could have one
more encore!
As
published in Winnipeg Free Press on
June 07, 2014
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