It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our loving daughter, sister, granddaughter and niece, Miss Aliya Skye Johnup-Kamenawatamin, age 17 years, unexpectedly in Thunder Bay on Monday, August 18, 2025.
Aliya was born on February 8, 2008 and was raised in Thunder Bay. Since the age of 4, Aliya has been active in various sports and dances over the years. She received many awards and achievements in competitive all-star cheerleading, competitive dancing, competed in a number of children and teen pageants. She also enjoyed playing in many other sports such as broomball, softball, soccer, basketball and skating. Aliya was also a fancy shawl dancer at local and surrounding Thunder Bay, Robinson Superior and Treaty #3 areas. Aliya was a painter and sold over 40 paintings over the past year, and she was a very reliable babysitter and petsitter.
Aliya recently completed an internship at Woodland Fashion Collective as a backstage, hair and makeup assistant. She was a model/makeup artist at Tournament of Hope fashion Show 2024. She was a Miss Teenage Thunder Bay 2021. Aliya had been a long-time pageant member of Miss All Canadian and currently a Miss All Canadian Spokesperson 2025. Aliya also worked as a background performer on a Canadian historical drama movie (2018) and was on a tv premiere episode of Red Horse Connection-Youth Mental Health Equine. She volunteered in the past as an assistant coach on All-Abilities Cheer team, an assistant helper at an Agility Dog Sport Competition, and a face-painter for a few children's events and fairs.
Aliya was passionate about youth mental health awareness and it was a hope of hers to help other youths with her story to overcome their struggles and to learn to walk the good life - Mino-bimaadiziwin. Aliya was currently learning about Anishininimowin language, traditional teachings and powwow dances.
Aliya will be deeply missed by her mother, Colleen Johnup (Sean Stevens) and brother, Aidan Johnup-Roach; her grandparents, Roderick Johnup (Judy) and Caroline Derouin; her uncle Rayton Johnup (Illa) and cousins Raya and Sadie Beaver, as well as her much loved furbabies, cats Bella and Jacob, and dog Pinky. Aliya was proud to call Sean Stevens and Audrey Quequish her godparents.
She also leaves behind Roderick's siblings, Aliya's great-aunts, Edith Baas (Dan) and Rhoda Miller and great-uncles Nathan Johnup, Lawrence Johnup, Paul Johnup (Evelyn) and Frank Johnup (Lucy) (Irene estranged) and their families; Caroline's brother, Aliyah's great-uncle Allen Derouin and family as well as half-siblings and extended family in North Caribou Lake First Nation, Sioux Lookout, Ottawa, Bearskin Lake First Nation, Hudson and Dryden.
She was predeceased by her beloved sister, Nevaeh Johnup just 2 months ago; her great-grandmother Annie Copenace (nee Pemmican) and great-grandfather Alexander Derouin; grandparents Abel Johnup (Martha) and David Wilkes; great-uncles Raymond Copenace, Floyd Richard Derouin, Floyd Derouin, Leonard Derouin and Joseph Derouin; great aunts Georgette Murray (nee Derouin) and Cecile Haney (nee Derouin); Jarett Kenequanash; her uncle, Jerry Johnup; and other extended family members.
A Wake for Aliya will be held in Thunder Bay on Monday, August 25, 2025 from 12:00 until 2:00pm in the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 Gore Street West. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, where Aliya will be buried beside her beloved sister, Nevaeh. A Traditional Indigenous Ceremony will be held at the cemetery, led by Traditional Practitioner and Knowledge Keeper, Joan Cachagee.
Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com
