Emily Masty: 1949 - 2015

Emily Masty was born on the land by a nearby unnamed lake south of Kaaminapskawshee on November 11, 1949. She spent her childhood with her family out on the land and briefly attended residential school in Sault Sainte-Marie.

Emily’s working life began as a cashier at the Hudson’s Bay Company store when she was a teenager. Then, as a young adult, she recorded and translated the many stories and legends of the then-living Whapmagoostui Cree elders. Many decades later, and with an unending passion for the legends and stories of the past, those recordings were published as ‘Mind’s Eye: Stories from Whapmagoostui’ (co-authored with Susan Marshall).

Emily was a  guidance counsellor for many years at the Cree School Board. She decided to go back to school herself and to attend McGill University in 1984. Emily had a thirst for knowledge and embarked on her educational journey along with her two sons, Robert and Patrick. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1987 and returned to Whapmagoostui to become an elementary school teacher at Badabin Eeyou School. A few years later, Emily became the Principal of the school and remained in that position for many years. Emily also served as a Band Councillor with the Whapmagoostui First Nation in the 1990s. Emily went back to McGill University again in 1997, this time to pursue post graduate studies and completed her Master’s Degree in Education in 18 months. Upon graduation, Emily returned to Whapmagoostui and to her position as the Principal of Badabin. She retired as Principal of Badabin Eeyou School just a few years ago. Over the years Emily slowly lost her eyesight as a result of degenerative eye disease. In the last years of her life, Emily took great solace and comfort in the teachings of the Bible.

Emily was diagnosed with cancer and, over the course of two years, battled through two major surgeries: one to stem the disease in the liver and the other to offer some pain relief. She fought her disease in the only way she knew, valiantly and with grace. Ultimately, she could not recover from a lung infection that led to kidney and liver failure. On February 7, 2015 at 12:09 p.m. Emily lost her battle with cancer. When it was time for Emily to cross over, she did so peacefully and surrounded by her loved ones.

Emily is survived by her brothers John, George (deceased 2 June 2020), Joseph, Ronnie and Steven; her sisters Elizabeth, Susan and Vera; her sons, Robert and Patrick; her grandchildren River-Hunter, Harrison, Waastuuskun, Andrew, Justis, Jayden, Walker, and Ivy; and a large extended family.

Mother,

I am grateful that you were chosen to be my mother and it was an honour to have been your son. Now I see that you did what you could with what you had and it was more than enough.

Your teachings will live on in me, my brother and your grandchildren. I would ask you why you gave away you hard earned money away without hesitation to those who would use it for less than worthy purposes but then I understood later on;

One of your great teachings you had told me was that it was the only way you knew how to help people with your disabilities in your later years. You would say that your deal with God is in the way you help with others and what others do with your help in turn is their deal with God.  In your last days, I had told you that even in your condition you are still teaching me many things and I thank you for that. You shook your head in agreement when I thanked you for all you have done for me in raising me and that I love you.

I had asked you to fight one last time if you wanted to and if things didn’t get better I made a promise to you not to worry about your grandchildren. I told you I would care for them and watch over them as you would have wanted. In your last breath, we saw that you were at peace and that you were no longer suffering. We wept in sorrow and you shed a tear from each eye. Although you have walked a road less travelled as a Cree woman, I will always remember you in your beauty, kindness, compassion and love. One last kiss and one last “I love you, Mom.”

Forever your son, Robert.

Strength comes in many forms. My mom had strength in love and compassion. I am proud of her with all the challenges we all share and those we have individually. Her heart felt for children, especially those who may have needed more help than others. She was able to excel in what she chose to accomplish. I learned from her example. I value work and education, not because she told me, because she did it. Some lessons took longer but the base was formed by her example. Ever since I was young, I saw her with a stable career. This career was to help the children in our community get an education with her leadership. As a woman and as a mother, she worked beyond her career collecting Cree legends. That could be read by anyone who wants to educate themselves of how Crees lived in our region. These lessons have a better chance of survival because of her work. Thank you mom, I love you. A parent with strength gives a child a better chance to succeed. 

Patrick Masty, son

The text above was transcribed (with minor modifications) from the Eulogy card distributed at Emily Masty’s funeral in Whapmagoostui.