Jaime Levi could often be found with family and friends at the second Oxbow site in Metepenagiag First Nation – Kayaking, swimming, or marvelling at the rising moon with her feet dipped in the sparkling river. The Oxbow was her sacred place.
She would often walk along these ancient riverbanks, scanning the tall grass in hopes of finding an eagle feather to no avail. One year after her brother Rodney Levi had been murdered by the RCMP, she was troubled by all that still needed to be done and sought out her place of solace. In deep contemplation, she approached the Oxbow, an ancient Mi’kmaw gathering site, and as she emerged from the brush into a lighted clearing, there, placed on a rock, was her eagle feather. She approached it, knelt, cried, and rose, feather in hand. With this affirmation and her spirit rekindled, she continued her work as a fearless advocate for her murdered brother and others, organizing fundraising activities to cover legal fees, speaking out at public events, and fighting for the justice that was due her own family and the families of Chantel Moore, Brady Francis, and other Indigenous people across the country who have been victims of systemic racism in the criminal justice system.
Jaime was a community matriarch and shared her joy of life with others. She held her children close and nurtured her two daughters and two sons into kind and strong community members. She was a best friend to the father of her children, Norman, a dedicated daughter to her mother, Maryann, and a doting sogois to her nieces and nephews. She made sure that everyone around her knew that they were valued and cared for. She could also be found cruising the community in her car she called Caryn, accompanied by the Caryn crew and her dear friends, sisters and cousins. Jaime knew how to live and was so much fun to be with. She organized community events and the summer games, coached all the children in every sport, fundraised, and distributed Christmas stockings to children in her dear community of Metepenagiag. For many years, she was part of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Prevention program in Metepenagiag and more recently, was part of the North Shore Mi’kmaq District council, Jordan’s Principle Team, and was instrumental in the development of the Jordan’s Principle database that is presently being used across Canada.
Jaime was a particularly avid softball player, a sought-after short-stop and proud to be a member of the Red Bank Lady Warriors. This past fall, she watched from her sister’s car as her team played the Miramichi league championship game. When her team won, she literally jumped out of the car with joy, though she could barely stand. Her sister drove onto the field where Jaime held the trophy over her head as her teammates dedicated it to her.
On Monday, December 20th, Jaime was at home battling a lengthy illness. The sacred fire was lit; her family opened the windows, and the sound of the beating drum carried her to the spirit world. The day before she passed away, she said, “Today will be better than yesterday.” It is with this hope that we will carry on without her.
Jaime is survived by the father of her children, Norman Ward; two sons, Dylan and Dalton; daughters Sarina and Sahara; her stepson Channing Ward, her mother, Maryann Levi; her father, Edward “Jimmy” Francis; siblings Linda, Wesley, Curtis, Violet, Rhoda (Brian), Mona Francis, Angela (Joe) Sanipass, Nora Ward (Simon), Audrey Francis (Curtis), Yolanda Levi (Richard), and Chalio Sark(Morley), Tara Levi (Carson);Ernest Lagasse, Angeline Levi(Ivan) and her dear nephews and nieces, aunts and uncles, and many cousins. She was predeceased by her infant sister, Mary, her dada, Jeffery Levi, her stepmother, Freda Sanipass, her infant niece Megan Rose, and by her brother Rodney Levi.
Visitation will take place at 100 Mountain Road, Metepenagiag on Monday, December 27 after 3:00 PM and again on Tuesday, December 28.
Covid-19 protocols will be followed.
As expressions of sympathy, in Jaime’s memory donations can be made to a charity of one’s choice. Messages of condolence for the family can be sent through the funeral home website at www.bellsmeadows.com
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Meadows Funeral Home, Sunny Corner, NB. Telephone: 622-3600
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Jaime Alexandra Levi 2021..
bell’s & meadows funeral homes
Death notice for the town of: Miramichi, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick
I am sorry for your loss. It is a loss for her family and her community at large. She was there for her family. I know her presence will be felt deeply by many. She was a leader and an advocate who made a difference, to honour and celebrate. A part of her lives on . I wish you the best of care and support during this sad time. Ellen (Hansen) (Jim, and Alex Chisholm)