Mildred Selina Roberts Née Bolton, Sit’aa? Gamaats (The starfish sits quietly) Waap (house of) ?agaax Gisbutwada (Killerwhale) Kitsumkalum.
Mildred was born August 20, 1931 in Port Essington BC (Spa ksuut) and passed away surrounded by her loving family on October 2, 2016.
Spa Ksuut was her home, but she moved around to places like, Browns Mill, Shirley Sawmill, Lax Xbishuunst, and Kulmass before making Kitsumkalum her permanent home with her husband Don in 1963.
Pre-deceased by husband Donald Roberts Sr.; grandmother Rebecca Bolton - Mah ; father James Bolton; mother Selina Starr; step-father Howard Starr; step-mother/sister Victoria Roberts ; brothers Robert Bolton, Harold Bolton, Clifford Bolton and Gary Bolton ; sisters Irene Collins and Martha Coventry. Survived by siblings, Billy (Shirley), Alex (Annette), Laura, Shirley (Bill), Cynthia (David), Wayne; Children Donald Jr. (Arlene), Steve, Stella (Ernie), Richard, Carol (Maurice), & Jim (Donna).
A Ts’msyen matriarch, proud mother and grandmother to five living generations, Mildred took her role as a teacher and mentor to heart. Mildred has 28 Grandchildren, 25 Great Grandchildren, and 1 Great Great Grandchild (Esmee ‘Lii Ts’maay wii gamaats).
She married her lifelong friend Donald Roberts Sr., Hahaa?gnm hayetsk, on November 28, 1951. They were married for 54 years when Don passed away in 2005.
Mildred’s legacy lives on within the hearts of all she met throughout her life. Her heart was so full of love and forgiveness for everyone. She was a respected Elder, fluent Sm’algyax language speaker, former cannery worker, net-mender, artist, House of Sim-oi-ghets salesperson, oral historian, songwriter, NNADAP worker, co-author of children’s plays & published books with Anne Hill, Ts’imshian Language Authority member, & former instructor & fluent speaker for the Sm’algyax language courses for UNBC, NWCC, & ‘Na Aksa Gyila K’yoo.
Mildred has now joined our ancestors and beloved family that left before her. She will be dearly missed.
Before departing she carefully placed her hopes & dreams in the minds and hearts
of the next generation of leaders & elders.