Ann Biscaye, former CBC broadcaster, worked to preserve Chipewyan language

Chipewyan language advocate and former CBC North broadcaster Ann Biscaye died on Sunday while recovering from hip surgery. She was 61.

Biscaye was originally from Fort Resolution, N.W.T., and began her career as a Chipewyan language host at CBC North.

"I remember when she first started, it was about communicating with the older people. In her intro she always used to say 'for the next hour let me entertain you,'" said Sabet Biscaye, Ann's sister.

"She talked about how when she was in the studio, she was envisioning talking to the elders in Lutselk'e, Fort Res, here, wherever."

Biscaye left CBC to go to school to study language and translation. She later helped to develop new Chipewyan terminology for the N.W.T. government's language bureau.

A memorial service was held for Biscaye in Yellowknife on Thursday. Her funeral will take place Monday in Fort Resolution.