B.C. mourns the death of Kat Zu’comulwat Norris
The Lyackson First Nation elder was a respected activist, theatre artist, SFU radio-show host, community builder, and residential-school survivor
Kat Zu’comulwat Norris. Photo via Heart of the City Festival
PEOPLE ALL ACROSS B.C. are mourning the death of Kat Zu’comulwat Norris today (July 8).
A member of the Lyackson First Nation, Norris was a beloved community activist, theatre artist, SFU radio-show host, cultural educator, counsellor, powwow organizer, residential-school survivor, and spokesperson for her people. Her brother, Vancouver-based actor Sam Bob, contacted Stir directly saying that his “beautiful sister Kat Norris passed away today... around 12:30. Our elder Seislum did a beautiful ceremony at the hospital today.”
Norris had a stroke during minor surgery after dealing with pancreas problems, Bob said. She was 67.
Norris was a long-time Vancouver resident who leaves two sons and two granddaughters. Her traditional name, Zucomul’wat, is from her Musqueam great, great, great grandmother.
Norris’s formative years were spent in Los Angeles, California. After moving back to Canada at age 19, Norris joined the American Indian Movement, where she learned about the genocide against her people. Eventually, she formed the Indigenous Action Movement and went on to organize against media bias, police brutality (including that against Frank Paul), ambulance neglect (such as that pertaining to Curtis Brick), and more.
She was a forerunner in the creation of the inaugural Indigenous Day in Vancouver who also helped start the Trout Lake powwow. Norris was a driving force in the creation of the Valentine’s Day women's march for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).
Norris was also beloved and well-known for her New Year’s Eve fry-bread giveaway, an annual event downtown. Bob noted that his daughters and her granddaughters will be taking over the tradition this year.
Norris was a survivor of the notorious Kuper Island Indian Residential School on Penelakut Island, which was operated by the Catholic Church from 1890 to 1969, then taken over by the federal government. Last year, the Penelakut Tribe revealed that 160 undocumented and unmarked graves had been found on the site. Norris spent decades sharing her experiences at schools, universities, and beyond to raise awareness of the reality and horrors of the residential school system and the ongoing impacts of colonization.
In 2003, Norris began working with what would become the Heart of the City Festival, appearing In the Heart of the City: the Downtown Eastside Community Play. More recently, she was the fest’s elder in residence. In 2021, she created and performed Tell Us When They Came at a festival event called Indigenous Journeys: Solos by Three Women. Bob directed her work of theatre and storytelling. Norris also provided healing drumming sessions for Theatre Terrific.
She believed sharing knowledge with the next generation to be a form of activism.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established by Tamara Bob, Norris’s niece, for funeral expenses. A service will be held July 13 in Vancouver and July 14 on Vancouver Island.
The City of Vancouver Tweeted: “The City of Vancouver is saddened to learn of the passing of Kat Norris, a beloved member of the Indigenous community, who gave much love, support, and care to everyone around her.We wish to extend our condolences to community, friends and the family of Kat Norris. Kat will be missed.”
Kat Zu’comulwat Norris. Photo via Twitter
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