April 6, 1944 - January 24, 2025
In loving memory ~
Our father, Hemas Kla-Lee-Lee-Kla (William Lane Wilson) passed away on January 24, 2025, in Campbell River. He was from the Musgamagw Dzawada'enuxw people, part of the Kwakwaka'wakw Nation and a member of We Wai Kai (Cape Mudge).
Hemas Kla-Lee-Lee-Kla means 'Number one amongst the eagles, the Chief that is always there to help.' He was our Hereditary Chief.
Dad was born in Comox, BC on April 6, 1944, to Ethel Pearson (Pugladee) and Charles William Wilson. Pugladee, which means 'a good host', is the highest-ranking name in our Clan.
Through the efforts of his parents, Dad was able to attend Comox Elementary, Robb Road, and Courtenay Senior High School where he was one of the first, if not the first, First Nations student. In high school he also met Sandra Raylene Wilson (nee Hindle), to whom he was married for 9 years. He went on to become the second First Nations person to graduate from UBC Law School.
For over thirty years, until his passing, Dad shared his life with Bev Sellars. Dad and Bev supported each other and together led lives of leadership and advocacy for the rights of First Nations peoples. He had two daughters, Kory and Jody, two sons, Corey and William, five grandchildren, and a large, loving extended family, of brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Our dad was part of a generation of leaders who helped drive forward fundamental change in the work of seeking justice for Indigenous peoples. The generation before him, such as our grandmother Pugladee, had to work in the shadows to preserve our culture and way of life. If she did it visibly her efforts would have been forcibly stopped.
But the work she and others did in the shadows paved the way for our dad and other leaders to be able to step out of those shadows. That was a responsibility he helped carry forward: to bring the struggle for Indigenous rights into the Canadian consciousness, and our laws, policies and practices. And he and others did this courageously and beautifully.
Our dad was a compelling orator: fierce and precise, funny and charming. Whether in a community meeting, or debating a Prime Minister, you would laugh, learn, and be challenged. He always felt we all could and must do better, and he demanded that we do so.
The efforts of our dad and others of his generation helped lead us to where we are today: with our rights affirmed in the Canadian Constitution (which dad helped cement), our communities standing up and rebuilding, leaders advancing treaty and other negotiations in BC and elsewhere, and reconciliation recognized as a fundamental imperative.
And he also was the constant guide to the way we have worked to fulfil our responsibilities: with integrity, determination, hope, and a firm belief that tomorrow must be better than today. Because of his work, Indigenous leaders are now fully out of the shadows, as is the work of Indigenous rights.
He believed that "his two children in Vancouver Island" could do anything if we tried hard enough. We are committed to honouring his legacy by continuing to contribute the best ways we can to advance the change he fought for, which is all he ever asked and expected of us.
We thank all those who showed him love, friendship, and respect throughout his years, and helped make it such a good and impactful life.
If anyone wishes to share thoughts or recollections with the family, or find out about arrangements for the service, please email HemasBillWilson@gmail.com.
With love, honour and respect—Gilakas'la,
Puglaas (Jody Wilson-Raybould)
Pugladee (Kory Wilson)