Robert Gary Kakakaway

Robert G. Kakakaway passed away on October 21, 2024, at 70 years old, at the St Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon Saskatchewan, with his loving family by his side.

Robert G. Kakakaway is from the White Bear First Nation near Carlyle, Saskatchewan. For the past ten years, Robert and his wife Vanessa Kakakaway (Littecrow) resided on the Whitecap Dakota First Nation.

At a young age, Robert attended the Marieval (Cowessess) Indian Residential School, and like many Indigenous children he was subjected to traumatic experiences which would become painful memories. Residential School however did not break him rather it invoked his curiosity to seek the truth and to learn and reconnect with his culture, traditional teachings and spirituality. Education was very important to Robert. Living life to the fullest through one’s own eyes was equally important to Robert.

In high school, according to Robert, his English instructor told him that he should prepare himself for a trade because he did not believe that Robert would attend University. In 1992, Robert graduated from the University of British Columbia (U.B.C) with a B.G.S. degree. Robert also earned an Addictions Counselling Diploma, Wellness Counselling Diploma and numerous certificates. Robert served in the Canadian Armed Forces. He founded Kakakaway and Associates and On April 1, 2022, Robert was accepted into the Writers Union of Canada.

Robert wrote a memoire for his children about his experiences in residential school. He decided that they should know about the history of Indigenous peoples. This led to Robert having three books published regarding his experiences in residential schools. According to Robert “He felt that it was important for Canadians to read about life in Residential Schools behind “the prison walls”.

Roberts passion for learning and writing were only surpassed by the love he had for his family. The relationship he had with his wife was like no other. They shared an unbreakable bond. Similarly, the relationship he had with his children and grandchildren was admirable. Robert’s caring spirit and generous heart could be felt by his family and everyone else whom he met. He had a special gift of not only seeing the good in people but bringing out the best in them as well.

Robert had a quick wit and a sharp sense of humor that was so uniquely his own. He could always make you laugh and at other times make you think about your life and encourage you to reach for the stars.

Robert is survived by his wife of 22 years, Vanessa Kakakaway, and his children: Crystal, Wayne (Alicia), Josephine, Blaine, Raylenia (Donavin), Raymond (Michelle) and Kiarah. Grandchildren: Mariah, McKayla, Dwayne, Gia, Haelynn, Austin, Alexis, Creelynn, Harlow, Landon, Ashtyn (Neepseese) Eli (Nahpeese), Kyson, Londyn, Linkyn, Cruise, Creedyn and Noah.

His Traditional brother Philip Auger (Bev Bellegarde) and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, colleagues, and students.

Robert is predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Alexander Kakakaway and Nancy Smoker; his maternal grandparents, Xavier McArthur and Maude McArthur; his parents, Norman and Hazel (McArthur) Kakakaway; his brothers Norman, Lorne, Fred, Darcy, Philip, and Norman Lloyd; his sister Darlene; and his son Lorne Kakakaway.

The family would like to thank the incredible staff at then St Paul’s Hospital for their tender loving care of Robert while in both the Intensive Care Unit and Palliative Care and their gift of encouragement and support during this difficult time.

Special thanks to the Whitebear First Nation; the Whitecap Dakota First Nation; all the family and friends that called, messaged and came to sit with the family; and to those who helped the family financially and to those who brought food, your support is greatly appreciated.