Rhonda Ann Thompson

Passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Wednesday, January 3rd, 2024. Kushie Rhonda was predeceased by her husband Ralph Herman “Churchill” Thomson, sons Jess and Jason in infancy; special niece Sandra; câpân Christine, ohtâwiya okimâw Chief Samuel Watson, siblings: Clayton, Cameron, Stewart, Sam, Danny and Karen. Her children will carry her legacy and commitment to community service the rest of their lives: Belle, Lyle, Jacqueline, Shanise and light of her life, Grandson Trystan. She is survived by her mother Kathleen Watson, and little sisters and brothers: Betty, Freida, Iris, Cathy, Christina, Garret and Aaron; and Thomson in laws: Viola, Sharon, Kathleen “Baby Girl”, Cora, and Cathy Leader, also special friends Robyn and furbaby Poncho.

Traditional wake & prayers were held in Carry The Kettle Band Hall, Carry The Kettle Cega’kin Nakota Nation on Sunday, January 7, 2024 from 4:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. The traditional funeral was held on Monday, January 8, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the same location. The family requested that no small children be in attendance.

We also extend our humble thanks for the prayers lifted from our relatives across Turtle Island, and those who supported us out of the country and offered prayers and blessings in the way of their people. Mom belonged to Sundance families in Carry The Kettle and Sandy Bay, Manitoba, both Nakota and Dakota Lodges. She believed in our Sundance Way of Life and would want her friends and family who miss her, to rely on spirit and pray through their grief. Traditional Feast will be on Sunday, January 14, 2024 at the same location.

Kushie Rhonda stood for our Inherent Indigenous Rights to Education and the Right to Protect our Children in our own communities and within our own families. She was a Plant, Property and Maintenance Supervisor at First Nations University of Canada providing 21 years of service until her retirement. Prior to that she cooked at the Hungarian Culture Club for 10 years. She worked 1 part time and 2 full time jobs to raise her family and support foster children in her home. Cooking for community and families in need was her life’s passion. She was an Advocate for InterGenerational Trauma Healing and Recovery, with a strong determination that it is our languages, cultural practices, and traditional spirituality that would heal and unite us. Kushie Rhonda will miss the Toronto Maple Leafs and listening to her adopted nephews Elks Whistle Drum on the pow wow trail.

Her golden years were spent traveling Canada with her sisters, and crossing the medicine line for Sundances and Pow Wows across Indian Country. Kushie Rhonda was instrumental in establishing the Watson Sisters Fund: a family charity to support youth activism, families in need and community members. Those who knew her, speak highly of her willingness to help, her love for gatherings, and the reunification and protection of our vulnerable children in the foster care system. She had a kind and gentle way of encouraging relatives to succeed in higher learning and to keep trying and never give up on themselves. Her welcoming spirit and soft smile will be remembered in many circles.

The family would like to give special thanks to the Pasqua Hospital for the compassionate care our Mother received.

“Inawaye” To have love for your mother. Nakota Language.

“Mitakuye Oyasin”

“Niwâhkômâkanak”