Obituary of Mary Janet Hill

It is with great sadness that the family of the late Mary Janet Hill announce her peaceful passing on March 23, 2023 at the Health Science Centre, St. John’s, at the age of 35 after a brief battle with cancer.

Left to mourn with fond and loving memories are her parents: Robin and Julianna Hill, sisters: Bernice, Shirley, Tamarah, Kristine, brothers: Ben, Daniel, Nano(Fernando), Kenny and many nieces, nephews. and Godchildren all whom she loved and cared for deeply. Mary Janet in addition to her immediate family, Mary Janet was the foster parent to a number of children in the community that were in CSSD care. Pre-deceased by grandparents: Michel and Mary Pasteen and Fred and Eileen Hill.

Mary Janet was born February 13, 1988 in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and grew up in Sheshatshiu. She is a member of the Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation community and a beneficiary of Innu Nation of Labrador. She graduated from Peenamin McKenzie School in Sheshatshiu and later graduated from Trent University with a degree in Indigenous Studies. Following her graduation, she returned back to her home community to work as a Community Health Planner for SIFN. She later accepted a position as Health Navigator for Innu Round Table. She was also employed as an Assistant to the Chief of SIFN for two years. She continued her formal education and enrolled in Ingenious Policy and Administration Graduate Diploma Program at Carleton University. In 2017 to present, she became the Chief Executive Officer of Innu Development Limited Partnership. She was also elected as the Labrador North Chamber of Commerce Board of Director in June 2020 and an Innu Nation Board of Director in August 2020. In addition to these roles she was also appointed as a member of the board that was responsible for developing the Akami−Uapishkᵘ−KakKasuak−Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve.

The love she felt and expressed for her friends and family was unshakeable, and the depth of the impact of her passing is immeasurable. For those that were lucky enough to spend time with her, she had an energy that could make you laugh, command your respect, make you think, and feel the passion that she brought to everything that she did. She was a fierce advocate for her community, her people, and for Indigenous rights both in her province and across the country. She used her influence to shine a light on and speak truth to issues that bettered lives, created opportunities, and spurred positive change.

In her own words, “My whole life has been about reconciliation. It’s been about bringing two worlds together, having mutual understanding and respect; it’s been about raising awareness; it’s been about reminding people that we are not the less fortunate ones, because we still have our culture, our values, our language, and our connection to our lands.”

Her leadership, her voice, friendship, and personality will be missed by her community, friends and family each and every day.