John Ch'igiioonta' Obituary

John Peter Ch'igiioonta' passed away with a smile upon his face Oct. 31, 2009, in Las Vegas.

John Peter was born Oct. 9, 1931, to Bertha Tabitha Kykavihchik Peter Smith of Old Crow, Yukon Territory, Canada, and Joseph Peter Ch'igiioonta', a Neets'aii Gwich'in. He was the nephew of Stephen Tsee Gho' and Phillip Tsyaa Nyaa Peter Ch'igiionta' of Fort Yukon.

John Peter grew up on the shores of Old John Lake, at the former Neets'aii Gwich'in community of Khiinjik Zheh (Silver Salmon Village), Arctic Village and Fort Yukon.

After the death of his father, John moved to Old Crow with his mother and siblings. Later, he went to school at St. Mark's Mission in Nenana. John developed tuberculosis and stayed at the Hudson Stuck Memorial Hospital in Fort Yukon until he was healthy enough to leave and go to school. He went to Los Angeles on the Indian Relocation Act grant and became an electrician.

John lived in Venice and Huntington Park, Calif., for many years and at one time owned 14 beauty salons in Huntington Park. He also worked as an immigration officer and then as an electrician in high rise buildings throughout the Los Angeles area.

After retiring, John met the love of his life, Sharon Jessup. They spent many summers traveling around in their RV, including two trips to Alaska and Canada to visit relatives and friends, a trip to Nova Scotia, and many rendezvous with relatives in Utah, Missouri and Florida.

John's parents; and brothers, Jeremiah "Jermy" and Abraham Peter Ch'igiioonta', Jules, Ernest and Willie Peter preceded him in death.

John is survived by his brother, Joel Peter; and nephews, Jeffery and Michael Peter of Old Crow, Canada; his partner, friend and loving wife, Sharon Peter.

John also is survived by first cousins, Naomi Tritt, Kias Peter, Jim Peter, Margaret Roberts, Donald Peter, Hannah Flaherty, Paul Peter, Jean Proctor, Adeline Kari, Walter Peter, Steven Peter and Kathy Sikorski.

John grew up in difficult circumstances, but he looked upon it as a part of his life's story. He worked hard and enjoyed his life and shared with many people.

John's cremains will be scattered along the shores of Old John Lake near his uncle Stephen Peter at a later date.