From left to right: Anna Thomas, Kelly Fraser and Nikki Fraser are pictured in Kamloops in August 2019.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Nikki Fraser

Nikki Fraser couldn’t believe the news when she found out a well-known Inuit singer with ties to the Kamloops area died by suicide on Christmas Eve.

Fraser is one three local Indigenous women who got to know prominent Kelly Fraser on a personal level during her time living in Kamloops and Merritt. The two women initially met in New York in April when they crossed paths at an event hosted by the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

The Inuk singer immediately embraced her and joked calling her ‘cousin’ since they both shared the same last name.

“We became instant friends and family,” Nikki says. “That was a beautiful characteristic Kelly had, she made friends everywhere she went and she made her friends feel like family.”

Kelly Fraser, 26, from Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, rose to fame from a Youtube cover of Rihanna’s song, Diamonds. The video has been watched more than a million times.

It was confirmed by friends and family of Fraser she died on Christmas Eve while she was living in Winnipeg.

Her mother, Theresa Angoo, released a statement shortly after her daughter’s death stating Fraser died by suicide, according to a report by APTN.

“Kelly suffered from PTSD for many years as a result of childhood traumas, racism and persistent cyber-bullying. She was actively seeking help and spoke openly about her personal challenges online and through her journey,” Angoo said in her online statement.

Kelly was also known for her strong advocacy about music education in Indigenous communities.

Nikki says she is still processing the singer’s death in many ways.

“We didn’t see that side of her and there was just no signs of that, so for her to do that, it was eye-opening,” Nikki says.

Gayle Frank, a member of the B.C. Native Women’s Association, met Kelly in 2017 when she was living in Merritt and attending the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology and also kept in touch with her through social media.

“Any time I was having a hard time, she would message me and let me know she was thinking of me, that she admired my strength, she would offer prayers to my children and me,” Frank says.

Both Frank and Fraser say the singer’s death has shined a light on lateral violence and bullying within Indigenous communities.

“When someone in the Indigenous community is rising, it’s a win for all of us and we shouldn’t be trying to tear each other down and bullying each other,” Nikki says. “We should be uplifting each other.”

On Dec. 15, the singer wrote a post on her Facebook expressing some of the criticism and hate she faces.

“I need a strong support system,” she wrote. “I’m just trying to make our language and culture stronger through music that’s all. Just because I am well known doesn’t mean I deserve it.”

Frank says there is still lots of work to be done within Indigenous communities to address mental health, healing, spiritual wellness and safe spaces to talk about decolonization.

Nikki agreed by adding there is still reconciliation between Indigenous communities that needs to happen as well.

“We have people in the communities being rude and and mean to each other and we need to be uplifting and supportive of each other, not attacking each other,” she says. “That’s another thing we have learned is that Kelly was going through lots of bullying… it’s just a lot of heavy weight for someone to carry when they are bullied and can’t understand why they are being attacked.”

Anna Thomas, president of the B.C. Native Women’s Association, met Kelly through her performances in Kamloops. Thomas, along with several other women, have planned a memorial for Kelly in Merritt on Jan. 10. It will be a chance for people to share their love for the late singer and honour her. The ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. at Spirit Square in Merritt. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is out there. Call 1-800-784-2433 or visit Crisis Centre B.C.'s website by going here. 

To contact a reporter for this story, email Karen Edwards or call (250) 819-3723 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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