Jacqueline Redbird La Chapelle Rosen (formerly Steinberg)

In loving memory of Jacqueline Redbird La Chapelle Rosen (formerly Steinberg) who passed away peacefully with the gracious care of staff at Mississauga Long Term Care Facility at the age of 88 on August 10th, 2022. Jacqueline was one of seven children, and the loving daughter of Thelma Mandahwahb Solomon La Chapelle, granddaughter of Robert and Grace Solomon of the Saugeen First Nation. Survived by her loving children Richard, Lori, Jason and Jordana; grandchildren David, Joshua, Rachel and Benjamin; nieces Paula, Marla and Janice; nephew Eric; cousin Robbie; son-in-law Douglas; and life-long dear friend Boris Dopta, all of whom greatly mourn her passing. Jacqueline was an Ojibwe elder: a fearless and passionate legal and human rights activist on behalf of the First Nation peoples in Canada from the mid 1960s until the early 2000s. She was nominated into the Who’s Who of Canadian Women for her selfless work and contributions to all Indigenous peoples of North America. Jacqueline received extensive media coverage for her work in the Indigenous community of Toronto during the 1960s and 1970s. Jacqueline was a co-founder and board member of the Canadian Indian Centre (now known as the Canadian Native Centre) when it first opened on Church Street and was a co-founder and active board member of Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre in the 1980s. She supported many other indigenous organizations, including The Nelson Small Legs Jr. Foundation. Jacqueline also worked as a highly regarded native court strategist and outreach worker together with renowned human rights lawyer, James Lockyer. They advocated and supported Indigenous community members who were often facing unjust criminal charges that reflected the systemic and oppressive governing laws in Canada at the time. Memories include many late-night strategy sessions at the dining room table, preparing for trials. Jacqueline was also the benefactor and mentor to several well-known First Nation Artists including Arthur Schilling, who painted a portrait of her son Richard in 1967 and resided in her family home for several months that year. Jacqueline and Arthur collaborated to create the first Christmas card campaign for the Canadian Indian Centre to raise funds and promote the centre at that time. Jacqueline’s tireless efforts and expenditure of personal resources in her life’s mission to build Indigenous institutions in Canada and to protect the legal rights of the of Indigenous peoples can never be forgotten. Jacqueline was also an active participant in the U.S. Freedom Riders in the 1960s who travelled by bus in the deep south to challenge the oppressive Jim Crow laws of segregation. She also was a key organizer and participant in several protests in Toronto supporting Martin Luther King Jr. in 1966 and 1967. Jacqueline was an affiliate member of the American Indian Movement (AIM) to help bring justice to the urbanized Indigenous peoples. Jacqueline’s children fondly remember how she welcomed many Indigenous friends from across Canada and the U.S. who often visited the family home in their travels. Other interests of Jacqueline’s included being a passionate Master Gardener who took pride in recreating Monet’s garden in the family homes of Toronto and Beaverton, Ontario. She was an avid reader, had a love of music from opera to country, and had an inner sense of style that was reflected in all aspects of her life. Chi-Miigwetch Jacqueline, as your presence and work touched the lives of thousands of people, and has left a lasting legacy with your children and loved ones.

Jacqueline Redbird La Chapelle Rosen (formerly Steinberg)

August 10, 2022