Chief Bob William Charlie – Zhäwa Tà- Bobbyshän

The family of the late Chief Bob Charlie is sad to announce his passing on September 14, 2024 at Whitehorse General Hospital. He passed peacefully after a long battle with Parkinson’s and cancer surrounded by family, his Charlie’s angels.

Bob was born in Kwanlin (Whitehorse), Yukon Territory, in 1946 to Solomon Charlie of Hutchi and Jessie Isaac of Asheyi. His mother died of tuberculosis when he was six months old and he was raised for the next few years by his grandma, Rachel Isaac, and auntie, Mary Luke Isaac. Bob was a mischievous little boy and loved music from an early age. According to Bob, he was sent to the orphanage at the Baptist Mission School around age 3, then attended school there from 1950-56. He spent his teenage years in the home of his older sister Meta Bailey as well as sisters Mildred and Joan. He graduated from FH Collins in 1967, then studied with the National Film Board of Canada in Winnipeg.

Bob went on to a colourful career as an accomplished musician, entrepreneur, reporter, videographer, actor, radio announcer, advocate for First Nation self-government, lecturer at Yukon College, Chief of Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, and support worker with residential school survivors during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission settlement process. Bob owned and operated Cracker Creek Productions for a number of years out of his home, producing videos on traditional medicines and recording Elders across the Territory.

Bob was an exceptional guitarist and had a deep, rich singing voice. His first guitar was gifted to him at age 15 by his older sister Meta. His first band was the De-Mans formed in the 1960s. In the early 1970s, Bob lived in Cornwall, Ontario and performed with the Thundertones from Akwesasne. He went back to perform with the Thundertones during a reunion tour when they opened for George Jones in New York. Following his return to the Yukon, Bob performed with the Klukshu Flats Boogie Band for many years. Bob and his bandmates, also lifelong friends, toured and played many dances and events across the North.

During his four-year term as Chief of Champagne and Aishihik First Nations from 1998 to 2002, Bob led the Nation during the discovery of Kwäday Dän Ts’ìnchi  (Long Ago Person Found), and  helped host Prince Charles when he visited the Yukon.

A high point for Bob was meeting Nelson Mandela during a trip to South Africa in 2000 as part of a Yukon delegation attending a conference on persistent organic pollutants. In recent years, he helped co-author the book Finding our Faces: Whitehorse Indian Mission School 1947-1969 and shared details about his residential school experience.

Bob was recently awarded the Yukoner 125^th anniversary medal in recognition of his values of leadership and reconciliation, and the positive role he played in shaping the Territory. He was also acknowledged by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation for his compassion during his work with Survivors and their families.  CAFN honored Chief Bob in 2018 for his leadership in implementing self-government during 25^th anniversary celebrations in Klukshu.

Bob’s family thanks friends and family who have stepped forward to love and support them since his passing. They are grateful to the team at Whitehorse General Hospital who cared for Bob in recent years and during his final days. Many thanks to the team at Whistle Bend care facility for supporting Bob during his time there over the past two years. Thank you to the emergency services teams who helped Bob during emergency trips to the hospital. Special thanks to Bob’s doctor of many years, Dr. Xui-Mei Zhang. Daughters Lenna and Geena also thank the friends, neighbors, and family who offered help and support as they both cared for Bob in turn as his health declined in recent years.

Bob is survived by his sisters Joan Hussey (Dawson) and Judy McKinnon, daughters Lenna Charlie, Geena Charlie (Dalibor) and their mom Bonnie Charlie, daughter Debbie Enoch (Garrett), son Sean Sheardown (Angie), five grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his mother Jessie Isaac, father Solomon Charlie, step-mom Annie Charlie, brother Gordon, and sisters Mildred Gage and Meta Bailey. He is reunited with his dog Shadow.

Bob is fondly remembered as a loving, kind, compassionate person, talented musician, mentor, role model, jokester, avid reader, deep thinker, and animal lover. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and colleagues across the Yukon and Canada. A funeral and potlatch will be held on October 4, 2024 at 1 p.m. at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory.