Ruby Josephine Ignace

1944 - 2022

Nov. 15, 1944 – July 5, 2022

The family of Ruby Ignace sadly announces her sudden passing at the age of 77. Born as the chi-dawnis, oldest daughter, in Unaka, Ontario, she grew up on a trapline but went to residential school. Ruby was a
strong, independent Anishinaabekwe. Driven and intelligent, she grew up in a time when it was not easy to find a career as an Indigenous woman in Northwestern Ontario. She took a cut and skidder course yet no one would hire a woman. She picked cones for many years. Eventually she came back to trapping, something known from her mother. Ruby took over her
aunt's Josephine trapline, trapping until the year she died. Ruby was happiest at her Sowden cabin and fishing along the English River. Her goal was to spend her entire life living in the bush and she ended up getting what she wanted. Ruby was an Elder of Lac des Mille Lacs First Nations. She is predeceased by her mother Amin (Annie), siblings Lorene, Helen, Mary Anne, and Morris and grandson Geoffrey. She is survived by siblings Ronnie, Roy, Christine, Diane, Brenda, Wally and Clementine, and children Lawrence, Edward, Claudette, Beatrice, Angela and Ralph and many nieces, nephews and grandchildren. Special thanks to Dave Hall, her “adopted son”, for helping her out. Her chuckle and humour will be missed by many friends and family. A Celebration of Life will occur on July 14th, 3pm at the Dryden Community Funeral Home. Donations can be made in-person to Carousel in Ignace or online to Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre.