Cece Hodgson-McCauley remembered as fearless, tireless and a little like Trump

CeceHodgson-McCauleywas a little like U.S. President Donald Trump.

In remembering the outspoken columnist, Northern advocate and founding chief of theInuvikDeneBand, BruceValpywas hesitant to use the analogy, except that it seems so apt.ValpywasHodgson-McCauley'seditor at Northern News Services for 30years.

"Over the years, people would object to us running her column and they would object to things that she said," he said.

"They would object to even letting her speak. She roused strong emotions."

Hodgson-McCauleydied Sunday night at her home in Norman Wells. Her death comes one week after she announced in her regularNews/Northcolumn that she was battling liver cancer.

"I always tell you the truth," she wrote, in what would be her final column. "You know, I have had a great life!"

Hodgson-McCauleywas 95-years old.

Hodgson-McCauleytakes on a federal minister

She may have been controversial, but she was fearless.

Valpyremembered a storyHodgson-McCauleyrelayed to him at one point during their relationship. Late for a flight, sheboarded a planewith curlers still in her hair. It just so happened a federal minister was in the seat beside her.

"She berated him for his lack of attention to the North, while she was sitting in her curlers," he said.

"She didn't care. She gave him hell anyway. That's quite remarkable."

Hodgson-McCauleywas a hard worker. She was known as a fierce advocate for the Mackenzie Valley Highway extension, saying it would open the North and lower living costs in Mackenzie Valley communities.

She was also the former president of the Norman Wells Land Corporation, and founder of Women Warriors of theSahtu.

Last year, shereceived anIndspireAwardfor her work improving and developing Northern communities.

• Two Northerners two receive 2017IndspireAwards

And then there was her columna handwritten screed she faxed in to Northern News Services every week almostwithout fail.

DonSandercockwas band manager and economic developer withInuvikNative Band in 1984, whileHodgson-McCauleywas chief.

He says she committed to that columndubbed Northern Notesbecause she loved it.

"How many times have I heard, 'Oh it's Thursday I have to get my article in.' And she'd be working away," he said.

"A lot of this came from her heart and her head. Because she usually didn't know what her topic was until something came into her mind at that momentand then she would be able to articulate her thoughts quite well."

Column controversy

Hodgson-McCauleymost recentlyraised eyebrowswhen she wrote that some people lied about their experiences in residential schools in order to "receive as much money as they could."

When her columnwas met with criticism from local elders, she stood by her writing.

• Residential school column in News/North draws criticism from N.W.T. elders

According to her daughter-in-law, Carol McCauley,Hodgson-McCauleytook the criticisms in stride. In fact, she joked about making waves when she accepted herIndspireaward last year in Ottawa.

"The best part in her little interview was at the very end when she said, 'I don't think the government likes me very much, but I don't care about that,'" said McCauley.

She said the joke "brought the house down."

Hodgson-McCauley'sfuneral is scheduled for March 14at the DennisDroletCommunity Hall in Norman Wells, followed by a feast.