Sunday, March 24, 2024
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On the occasion of Doreen Dominic Fletcher’s funeral, March 25th, 2024:
I remember Doreen well from spending time camping at Doig in the summers of 1979 and the early ‘80s with my parents, Robin and Jillian.
At that time Doreen was living with her parents, Charlie Dominic and Deda (Mary Davis), along with her brothers Danny and Darren. Danny and Darren were my playmates, and Doreen was a constant presence as an older sibling who was always helping her mum cook or take care of Korbin who was a baby then.
Looking back on that time what strikes me now is how traditional their household was. Deda and Doreen mostly cooked outside over a fire, they mostly ate wild foods, and I remember the whole family talking in Dane-zaa Záágéʔ to eachother.
I remember Deda taking us along on her rabbit snare-line towards the Osborne River. She would check the snares she had set, collect the rabbits, and reset the snares. One time she made a fire and we roasted rabbits on a stake and had a feast in the bush. Doreen taught me how to scoop out the brains with a flattened stick and eat them as a delicacy. She and Deda skillfully skinned the rabbits and I remember seeing them in the days that followed work on the skins to make a blanket at their work area behind their house. Deda didn’t have much English so Doreen was the one telling me what they were doing.
Later I remember Doreen staying with our family in Vancouver for a few weeks. I can’t remember if she was doing some training or seeing a doctor, but I got to know her better then as the closest one to her age.
Over the years visiting Doig it has been so nice to be greeted by her with her warm smile and her hand reaching out to hold mine. The last time I saw her was in Vancouver at the hospital after her surgery. Despite her immense pain, she had a smile for me, and inquired about everyone in my family.
My sincere condolences to her family and community. She will be missed.
Amber Ridington
