Remembering the late Indigo Sweetwater’s remarkable life

Indigo Sweetwater: Oct. 31, 1952 — April 3, 2011

The illness that caused Indigo’s departure was quick and painless. She died with the same dignity and grace that characterized her life.

Indigo is survived by her son, Yancey, her mother Marjorie, brother Richard, sister Patricia (Llewellyn), nephew, Jared, many aunts, uncles and cousins, and her partner of 21 years, David Culver. She was predeceased by her son, Cody, and father, Allan.

Born in Nova Scotia, Indigo moved to British Columbia at the age of 18, joining the movement to the country by many young people at that time away from the apparent hypocrisy of society.

After living on the land in areas from Lillooet to Bella Coola, enjoying rodeos and the rural lifestyle, Indigo acted on her desire to enter the field of nursing and attended Cariboo College. She graduated with an R.N. Diploma in 1988.

The following year, Indigo began the first University of Victoria-sponsored Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University College of the Cariboo, graduating in 1992. Always aware of the importance of education, Indigo continued learning throughout her life and graduated from Athabasca University in 2006 with a Master of Nursing degree.

Indigo loved the north, the people, the land, and the culture, and focused her nursing career on aboriginal, First Nations, and Inuit health, working in native communities in B.C., the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.

Indigo was active throughout her career in many professional organizations, including ANAC (Aboriginal Nursing Association of Canada), NINA (Native and Inuit Nursing Association of B.C.), NAHO (National Aboriginal Health Organization) and INIHKD (International Network of Indigenous Health Knowledge and Development).

Her smile, laughter and quick wit graced many networking events and conferences, including several international AIDS conventions, as well as the students of a licensed practical nurse course and Doula programs (personal support through labour, delivery and breastfeeding), and the first-year nursing program in Iqaluit, in which she taught.

One of the awards of which Indigo was most proud was the Thompson River University Distinguished Alumni Award for service to the community presented in October 2005. The ceremony was held on the same day on which she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and three days before she left for a position with the Cape Dorset health centre.

With her characteristic strength, Indigo decided to carry on and, over the next six months, she received excellent care at Ottawa General Hospital. Last November was the fifth anniversary of her successful treatment.

Indigo’s passion and creativity were expressed in her sewing, quilting, beading, photography, and jewellery-making. In every endeavour, she talked to those who knew their craft, listened, and learned how to express her vision.

The results of Indigo’s talent were such that people sought her works. Most recently, Indigo had focused on the steam punk style, creating unique necklaces and earrings.

Indigo’s inspiration for her creations, and the treasures she sent to so many people around the world over the years, flowed from her love of travel. Some of the most memorable included an around-the-world trip in 1993-94 (during which she spent six months in India), visiting the Smithsonian museums, collecting seashells on Sanibel Island, Florida, and this past summer, a three-month vacation that brought her for the first time to the African continent, beginning with a voyage on the Queen Mary II from New York to Southampton, followed by visiting friends in England, Northern Ireland and France, then spending time in Spain and Morocco.

To paraphrase Indigo’s own words:

• Experience (she earned it);

• Expertise (she learned it);

• Enthusiasm (she was born with it.)

The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at Royal Inland Hospital for their pleasant smiles, warm treatment, and graciousness during the last few days of her life.

Special thanks to Donna Schwieger, Ann Crawford, and Kathy Moore. The Celebration of Life Service will be held in the Sage Brush Down’s Tent at the KXA Grounds in Kamloops, B.C., May 14 at 1:00 pm. Memorial donations may be made in Indigo’s name to Medecins sans Frontieres and the Canadian Wildlife Federation.

From the family of Indigo Sweetwater