Wilma Pelly, actor most beloved for playing Elsie Tsa Che on North of 60, dies at 83

First Nations actorWilma Pelly, who was best known for her role asElsie Tsa Cheon the CBC series North of 60,died in Calgary on Dec. 28. Her family says the 83-year-old leaves a legacy of hard work and perseverance.

Pelly's daughters,Leeanna Rhodes and Stella Pelley, said their mother worked at a gardening centre and in factories before finding work as anextra inthe early 1990s.

It ledto 25 years of TV, film and theatre roles for Pelly a consistent source of pride for her children.

"She had no training in being an actress or anything like that, but she nailed it," Pelley said.

"Nobody in our family had ever done anything like that, so we were really proud of her ... and she loved what she did."

First role was in samurai film

Born Wilma EpiskenewinFort Qu'Appelle, Sask.,on March 5, 1937, Pelly wasa member of theMuscowpetung SaulteauxFirst Nation.

When she was four years old, Pelly was taken to a residential school in Lebret, Sask. She livedthere for 12 yearsand experienced cruelty, her daughters said.

"They grabbed her young, very young," Rhodes said. "You know, she had a tough life ... but she persevered."

In the mid-1950s, Pelly met her future husband,James Edward Pelly. She followed him to Calgary and worked in factories until injuring her hand in an industrial accident.

During her time off, she foundan ad in the newspaper looking for extras for a 1990 samurai film calledBetween Heaven and Earth.

A background rolein the film was Pelly's first foray into acting, and her career expanded to includeparts in the 1995 TV miniseries Children of the Dust withSidney Poitier; the Steven Spielberg-produced2005 miniseries Into the West; and the second season of the FX series Fargo.

Butthe role that would make her highly recognizable in Canada and a famous face inits Indigenous communities came along in 1992.

The role that was written for her

When Pelly auditioned for and eventually landed the role ofElsie Tsa Cheon North of 60,a Canadian drama that took place in the fictional town of Lynx River in theNorthwest Territories, she inhabited a character that resonated greatly with its audience.

Elsiewas a highly respected elderwho could communicate herdisapproval with a mere look, Rhodes said.

Pellyused to saythe role was written for herbecause of Elsie's connection to her family and First Nations culture.

"[Mom] always said that, because they asked her to pick roots and crush berries and take care of her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren on the show," Rhodes said.

"She hadfew words, but the words that she did speak always hit home with a lot of people on setand a lot of people who watched."

Legendary figure in Indigenouscommunities

Pelly was always taken aback by the recognizability the role gave her, Rhodes said, and surprised by the consistent kindness and sweetness of those who watched the show.

But Elsie was a character who seemed to tap into something important for people.

"I think a lot of viewers really related to my mom," Rhodes said. "I believe a lot of people related to her like she was their Kookum, and all of her teachings on the show, they learned from." Kookum is the Cree word for grandmother.

That Pelly would become something of alegendary figure among Indigenouscommunities across Canada was also a meaningfulpart of her legacy, Rhodes said.

"I can't speak for everyone, but what it meant for me to see my mom on screen was that there was always people out there who gave other Nations, and other people, a chance," Rhodes said.

"My mom always believed that timing was important, and she got into the business at the right time, and the right people recognized her talent."

Last film in post-production

When Pellywasn't acting her last film,Don't Say Its Name, is currently in post-production she enjoyed fulfilling relationships with her family, her daughters said.

They would like her to be remembered as a champion traditional dancer, even if she won first place only once.

"She was an excellent momand a great wifeand a super Kookum," Rhodes said. "'Believe in yourself,' she always told us ... she raised us right."

Compounding health factors led to Pelly'sdeath. Sheleaves behind her husband, two daughters, seven grandchildrenand more than24 great-grandchildren, Pelley said.

She was predeceased by her son, Lionel Episkenew.

"I just know that a lot of people are going to miss her," Rhodes said.

"When this COVID-19 is history, we are going to have a celebration of life for my momand hopefully that includes a Round Dancefor [the] anniversary of her journey with the Creator."