ROGER ROULETTE

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ROGER ROULETTE
"Tookie"
April 3, 1958 – November 3, 2022

It is with much sadness that the family and friends of Roger Roulette announce his passing on November 3, 2022 in Winnipeg, at the age of 64.
Roger, Megwebines, of the Bear Clan, was predeceased by his parents Alfred Roulette and mother Dorine Roulette and siblings Karyn, Alfred Jr., Raymond, Amab, Anita, Evelyn, and Ronald. He is survived by his grandnephew Cyrus Roulette, grandniece Nina Roulette, siblings Paul, Albert (Nicole), Betty (Ken), Shirley (Brian) of Utah, Marjorie and Lisa (Billy) of Lexington, Diane, Stephanie (Cory) and cousins Jess Roulette (Carol), and Janice Pornie as well as many many other cousins too numerous to name.
He will be deeply missed by his best friends Carol Beaulieu, Brian Cochrane, EJ Fontaine, Noah Malazdrewicz, Maureen Matthews, Pat Ningewance and protégé Aandeg Muldrew. He is fondly remembered by numerous other friends too many to list and former language students and colleagues.
Roger was born and raised in McGregor, Manitoba. He went to school there and later his family moved to Winnipeg when he was a young teenager. All his life, he spoke Ojibwe with his family. Later, he made the Ojibwe language his life work. He began teaching it in evening courses at the Manitoba Association for Native Languages (MANL) in Winnipeg. He helped with skits that were performed at the MANL Native Language Festivals. With his friend and colleague Pat, he met and worked with many elders in the city when he was in his late 20s. He taught himself to read and write standardized Ojibwe and became a gifted translator and transcriber. He was an academic. He was a knowledge keeper. He was a comedian amongst close friends. His friendly face was well-known at language and cultural events, as he was very well-liked by the community at large.
Some of his many accomplishments include being a sessional instructor at the University of Manitoba where he was Adjunct Professor. He taught Introductory and Intermediate Ojibwe. He worked with Maureen Matthews at CBC and later at the Manitoba Museum, transcribing and translating elders' tapes. He did much recording of elders during this time too. All during his professional life, he learned many dialects of Manitoba and Ontario. He taught himself syllabics. He provided linguistic consultation, translation and program development at the Indigenous Languages of Manitoba (formerly MANL). He researched for the Oral History Project for Treaty 1, recording, transcribing and translating elders' materials. He was co-author of many articles and award winning books including Naamiwan's Drum (U of Toronto Press). He wasauthor of Ojibwe grammar textbooks such as Gidinwewin, Bi-anishinaabemog and the Ojibwe Language Guide, and translated books about Treaty No. 5, old photos from Little Grand Rapids and the Pauingassi Collection.
Viewing on Monday, November 7 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Eternal Grace, 1111 Logan Avenue, Winnipeg, MB Tuesday, November 8 to Wednesday, November 9 - Wake at the Sandy Bay Complex (Sandy Bay First Nation) Wednesday, November 9, Feast/ Reception at the Sandy Bay Complex with interment at the McGregor Cemetery in McGregor, MB.
If you have any questions, please call204-903-7900 on Monday. Miigwech.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 08, 2022