Callie & Evan Joseph

“Piitwaycomigok” (the sound of thunder in the distance)

Mooz dotem

September 8, 2007 – April 21, 2023

&

Evan Kale Joseph

“Makade Pizhew” (Black Lynx)

Mooz dotem

November 14, 2011 – April 21, 2023

We are heartbroken and gut-wrenched with profound grief and pain as we share the sudden passing of our children, Callie Elizabeth Joseph and Evan Kale Joseph, in a motor vehicle accident east of Dryden, Ontario, on the morning of Friday, April 21, 2023. Callie was 15 years old and in grade 10 at PMCI, Pilot Mound MB, while Evan was 11 years old and in grade 6 at St. John Paul II at Kenora, ON.

Callie and Evan were predeceased by their kookums Esther Lewis (Mandamin) of Shoal Lake and Elizabeth Joseph and shoomis Harry Joseph of Whitefish Bay; uncles Junior Lewis and Daniel, Lawrence, Calvin, and Frank Joseph; aunties Margaret and Yvonne Marie Joseph; and cousin Darcy Green.

Callie and Evan are survived by their loving parents, Serena and Calvin Joseph; Callie’s boyfriend Brendan Hurley (Renee, Shane); family dog Shiloh; Papa George Hagar; uncles Gerald Lewis (Celina), Mark Mandamin (Summer, Darian, Taylor, Madi), Eric Lewis, Jamie Mandamin (Samara, Tierra, Duran), Shaun (Princeton), Ronald Mandamin, Jim (Yvonne), Darryl Joseph (Anne, Chantel, Tiffany, Alberta, Marielle, Bretton), Brian Joseph (Brent, Kashtin); aunties Elaine Redsky (Shaun, Sherri, Amelia Makara, Kerris, Jordyn, Ziigwun), Maryann Joseph (Jimese,Lena, Austin, Landon, Cohen, Teg, Amy, Jake, Levi, Yvette, Gabe, Jayden, Rylan ),Vivian Mandamin (Stacy), Darlene Joseph, Geraldine Williams (Earl, Karen, Nikki, Jocelyn, Ginette), Charlene Councillor (Randy, Rhyse, Jayse, Karmine), Sandra Mandamin (Jay), Vivian Kakekapetum (Sophie), Gena Mandamin (Steph, Summer, Jamie, Nyjah), Janelle (Shakur, Yasmiin, Kahasim, Aamir), Shauna (Tyson, Aarro, Kellen), Nicole Anderson (James, Amber, Claire), Darci Everson (Angus, Gus), Jodi Fox, Cheryl Gervais (Joe, Caleb, Josh, Chloe), Vanessa Joyce (Brian), Staci Williams, Bernice Greene (Chris, Kim), Vivian Mandamin (Stacey), Michelle Kipling (Pat), Mel, Kristen & Amy, and Kokum Monica Fox.

Callie and Evan loved everyone and had close friendships with many. Sending love and strength to all friends and those impacted by this great loss, especially Brendan, special love and best friend to both Callie and Evan. You meant the world to them. Some of Callie’s dearest friends included Rylee, Shania, Bernice, Jace, Alivia, Ashton, Jackson, Michaela, Addy, Reese, Carmen, Lyla, Mem, Rhya, Natalia, Shae, Hara, Paung, Venice, Lexi, Madi, Naya, Eunique, Athena and Kyra. Evan’s best buddies included Erro, Jaysen, Johnathon, Jackson, Cam, Cohen, Ethan, Bryston, James, Evan, Brantley, Moon, Nimkii, Carter, Ben Logan G, Logan A, Nayasia, Kylee, Emalee, Sunday, Mason, Nation, Mikey, and Ryan. They also had a special relationship with their coaches from Pilot Mound (Brad, Dana, Alana), Wiky Lady Hawks (Joe, Niibin, Jamie, Naomi), MCL (Brad, Justin, Alyssa), Kenora Thistles (Cam, Stan), and Kettle & Stony Point (Heather, Justin, Brent). Also left to mourn are numerous friends, cousins, teammates, coaches, teachers, and extended family.

Callie and Evan were vibrant, kind, happy and amazing people. They loved life, their family, and friends, and would do anything for them. They were always smiling and would spread light and joy to all those they met and hung around with. They loved gathering with all their family on birthdays, holidays, and ‘just-because’ days. They were raised by loving and devoted parents who gave them the world, but also taught them to be humble, caring, kind, respectful, and appreciative of everyone and everything around them.

Callie and Evan were born and raised in their Anishinaabe culture and way of life. The were proud members of Iskatewizaagegan #39 IFN. They loved their homelands and represented their community well. They were both enthusiastic pow wow dancers and spent many years as Princess and Brave of their community. Callie was a jingle dress dancer, and Evan a traditional dancer. They both enjoyed traveling to different communities during the summer months to dance and camp out at weekend powwows. They held their traditional values and beliefs close, and were very respectful of their culture. Evan had a strong connection with the language and was an eager learner. He really enjoyed learning from his Ojibwe teacher and relative, Bernice Greene.

Callie and her dad were an awesome bass fishing duo. They spent many summer days fishing and bonding together. They fished the Bronzeback Bass Classic annually, and always placed amongst the top teams. This father-daughter duo was a team to watch out for!

Both Callie and Evan were naturally athletic and excelled at many sports. They were avid hockey players and were often scouted to play on various teams all around Ontario and Manitoba. They both had a tightknit group of hockey friends. Callie most recently joined the Pilot Mound Hockey Academy Buffaloes as a forward on their U18 Female team and played with the Wikwemikoong Lady Hawks annually at the Little NHL hockey tournament. Previously, Callie played forward with the Thomas Aquinas Saints. Evan called all his hockey friends ‘Bros’. This past season, he was part of the MCL Wolverines and also played with Kettle & Stony Point at the Little NHL hockey tournament. During the 2021-22 season he was a forward with the Kenora Thistles U11 team. Both Callie and Evan wore #4 on their jerseys to honor their dad who grew up wearing the #4 jersey. During the hockey off-season Callie and Evan both played soccer, volleyball and baseball. The Joseph family led a full life making memories filled with endless adventure, sporting activities, road trips, boating, skiing, pow-wows, camping, fishing, and visiting family and friends.

Both Callie and Evan loved camping. Blue Lake was their favorite camping destination. They were both avid swimmers and enjoyed swimming and tubing. They loved chilling out by the fire, enjoyed wiener roasts, sparklers and making s’mores. The family recently moved to a lakefront house and were looking forward to many fun-filled days ahead.

Callie was fearless, fun and the life of the party with many connections. She radiated beauty inside and out. She had aspirations to play university hockey and wanted to become a SK/Grade 1 teacher one day. Callie’s natural athleticism was impressive. She was easy-going and let things roll off her shoulder easily, already understanding what was truly important in life.

Evan was bright, hard-working, thoughtful and cautious — but willing to try something if his sister was in. He was spirited and quick witted. He was strong, but gentle. He was known for his slapshots and his smiling eyes. Evan wanted to be a hockey player when he grew up, then make big money selling real estate like Phil on Modern Family.

A bit like night and day, they were the perfect balance - one daring/bold, the other careful/thoughtful. Together they were unstoppable, they teased each other, saying Callie was street smart and Evan was book smart.

The Josephs were inseparable. This loss is unfathomable and so very unfair. We are touched by the love and impact our kids made on everyone who were blessed to know them. They were truly special, and, albeit only here for a short time, it was impactful.

The family would like to thank everyone for their love and care: first responders/good samaritans, Dryden Regional Health Centre, Dryden OPP/EMS, Iskatewizaagegan Chief and Council, Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig, Shoal Lake #40, Shooniiyaa Wa Biitoong, ANHP, the entire hockey community across the Nation, Sportsnet, LNHL and everyone who made donations to various draws and Go Fund Me (Tania, Denise T, Riana, Melissa, Cecil, Leona, Loretta, Sharona and Denise A). Also those who donated and delivered wood, cooked and cleaned for the family. Miigwech all for your kindness, many local Kenora businesses, schools, First Nations, organizations, Clarissa, Chevonne, Magi, Bert, Eleanor, Ken, Paul, Bev, Thunder, Freedom, Loretta, Roderick, Louise, Sarah, Fabian, Lindsay B, the Baletki Family, Daphne, Paul, Mable, Lori, Rob, Ashton, Stacy, Erin, Lindsay, Christine C, Nicole, Tammy, Marvin, Wayne, Ivan, Jackson, Briana, Anita, Matt, the drummers and the diggers. We apologize if we missed anyone, as there are so many people who have touched our hearts and supported us through this difficult time.

A police-led procession is planned on Wednesday, April 26th, 2023 at 2:00pm from the Kenora Rec Centre to Iskatewizaagegan (Shoal Lake #39). Miigwech Treaty 3 Police and OPP. Everyone is welcome to honour Callie and Evan by standing safely along the route or following in the procession. Big miigwech to traditional healers Laura Horton and Lawrence Henry.

Ikwewag are to wear ribbon or long skirts if possible and avoid wearing red.

Wake services will begin Wednesday, April 26th, 2023 at David Kejick School in Iskatewizaagegan #39 at 3:00pm. A traditional funeral will be held on Thursday, April 27th, 2023 at 10:00am at David Kejick School. Pallbearers will be family members and close friends. Honorary pallbearers are Callie and Evan’s friends, schoolmates and hockey buddies. Callie and Evan will be laid to rest beside their Kookum Esther.

Miigwech

#strongfor4

#alwaysbekind

For those who are showing support with floral arrangements, please ask that they be delivered to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 before 1:00 pm.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com for the Joseph family.