March 28, 2024
On March 28, 2024, Julia peacefully joined her ancestors. Julia married the love of her life, Max Trennert, and together they raised four children: Fraser, Spencer, Maxine, and Brendalynn. Julia was a proud grandmother to: Miranda, Darcie, Katrina, and Max and doting great-grandmother to: Harlyn, Paxton, Alena, Axle, Hannah, James, and Hunter.
Julia was Born in the Beaufort Delta and enjoyed a carefree childhood exploring on the tundra. Julia met Max and said to her friend, 'that is the man I am going to marry.' Max also told his best friend, "Do you see that girl over there? I am going to marry her!"
Max and Julia settled in the Deh Cho Region of the NWT. Julia was a best friend to her children who will miss her wit, laughter, and presence however, they will carry on her wishes.
"Julia was the best wife a man could have - 64 years of married life account for that." (MaxTrennert)
"She encouraged us in whatever we were doing in our life. She was in our corner. She made sure we all knew how much she and grandpa loved us and how proud of us they were." (Miranda LynnTaureau)
Julia touched many people and set the tone of a conversation before she even spoke.
"When Julia spoke, you knew that her words were deliberate. She had a lot of wisdom and was strategic in how she shared it - when the time was right so that the wisdom could do what she intended it to do, whether it was to help inform changes to systems for the benefit of people, or to pass on her traditional knowledge for the benefit of future generations. She was somebody that you had to take seriously - she felt like a force." Premier RJ Simpson, Legislative Assembly of the NorthwestTerritories
Julia was trained in 'Supporting Aboriginal Survivors of Traumatic Stress Program,' and 'Working with High-Risk Kids, Families and Communities.' Julia received an award from the Dene Cultural Institute for her academic achievement and contribution to the program.
"Julia was kind and loving and dedicated herself to community and through her training she transformed into the person she was supposed to be." Lyle Fabian
"She had beautiful feminine intuition that guided her as she made footprints over Northern communities." Ann Firth
Julia avidly followed political and business news.
"Julia would come to my office and talk about the arts, residential schools, mental health, addictions, recovery, family, and how the north would be a better place if we addressed issues that severely impact Indigenous People and our way of life. It was these discussions that opened my eyes to the fact that people do care, and that people do want to make a difference, Julia was such a person. It is an honour to have known her, and I would want her, and her family, to know that the wisdom she shared with me during those many discussions will be carried forward in her honour. "Rocky Simpson, Former MLA Hay River South.
Julia served onWellness Councils and volunteered at the Soaring Eagle Friendship Center. Julia was very thoughtful and gave advice in a calm and considerate way fulfilling her role as Elder. Julia was instrumental in developing a Caregiver Program in the North and she stood for causes that mattered deeply like Walking with Our Sisters and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
"She welcomed strangers who gathered in an act of love for so many beautiful sisters taken away from their families and loved ones." Myrna Rutledge
Julia was the kind of friend that it did not matter how often you spoke or saw each other, she still loved you.
Her laughter was infectious, and you could not help but laugh along with her. Julia was strong in spirit and when topics came up that she was passionate about, you could instantly see the fire in her eyes." (Karen & Chris McNeill)
Julia was a wise, wonderful wonder woman and we loved the twinkle in her eye. (Frank & Debb Hirst)
An accomplished artist, Julia began her artist journey as a painter and progressed to moose hair tufting, porcupine quillwork, embroidery, beading, carving, and sewing. She received peer recognition at art festivals including the Great Northern Arts Festival. She proudly shared her Inuvialuit culture and generously enriched the life experiences of so many by teaching her unique artisan classes. Julia is recognized for a moose hair tufting of the Nunavut Crest commissioned by the Government of the Northwest Territories as a gift to the Nunavut Government - now displayed in the Nunavut Legislative Assembly.
"At every airport fellow Artists called out to her and came over to greet her as only true friends would - a North Star." April Broekaert-Glaicar
Max and Julia thanked one another for being married to each other and her final words to her children were that she had a good life, to live a good life and to be happy. Julia wanted her family and friends to celebrate shared memories.
Julia was content and at peace with all her loved ones around her. (Olly Das)
Julia is soaring with the eagles now and lighting up the night sky alongside our beautiful northern lights - when you see them, think of Julia smiling and sharing her joyous laughter. Thank you everyone for condolences and love.
A private gathering will take place in the Summer of 2024 to honor Julia Trennert.