'Singing Chief' Bob Charlie remembered in Yukon as a leader, journalist, musician

The life of Bob Charlie can be remembered for his involvement in politics, journalism and music. 

His friends and family also remember another of Charlie's gifts: a steady supply of corny dad jokes.

Charlie, a former chief of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN), was also a prominent Yukon musician and his involvement in the two fields combined to earn him the nickname the "Singing Chief." He died Sept. 14 after struggling with Parkinson's disease and cancer.

Charlie was a member of the Wolf Clan. His traditional names were Zhäwa Tà and Bobbyshän.

"We will miss Chief Bob Charlie and all the joy and happiness he shared through his music, kindness, and humour," current CAFN Chief Barb Joe said in a statement.

Speaking to CBC Yukon's Midday Cafe host Leonard Linklater, Charlie's daughters Lenna and Gina remembered their father as a kind, loving and talented man.

"I always remember him with the guitar in his hands, always playing guitar," Lenna said. "We grew up around his music, going to dances, him just playing his guitar around the house."

Bob Charlie played in numerous bands over the years, including the Klukshu Flats Boogie Band. His nephew, Gary Baillie, said Charlie introduced him to rock n' roll through the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, and Buddy Holly.

Baillie also remembered his uncle as a firm but fair disciplinarian.

"My brother Darcy and I were pretty rambunctious," Baillie said. "[Charlie] kept us in line and it was good in a good way and very respectful."

Life rich with 'humour, music and community'

Charlie also worked as a journalist for the Whitehorse Star, CBC North and CHON-FM. Linklater remembered Charlie talking about an important rule for all broadcasters: never give up control of the microphone to the person you're interviewing.

"He told the story about never letting an elder or anyone take your mic," Linklater said. "Because when he talked to someone about moose, the elder would be pointing with the mic all over: 'It's good hunting over there and there,' and just cracked us up."

Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai paid tribute to Charlie's efforts as chief to develop a protocol to have the centuries-old remains of a Southern Tutchone hunter returned to the community.

"Mr. Charlie lived a rich life filled with humour, music and community," Pillai said in a statement.

Most of all, said Charlie's daughter Gina, she'll remember the music.

"When we were kids, he'd be playing music around the house. We'd be trying to go to sleep and we'd be falling asleep to him playing his guitar and singing his songs," she said.

"And a lot of the time when I was taking him out for his drives and all that, if he heard one of his songs come on the radio, he would look over, turn up the volume and say, 'Oh, it's a good tune.'"