Among an outpouring of tributes and condolences following the recent death of Sandra Lockhart, a dedicated advocate for Indigenous rights in the North and across Canada, many messages shared a common theme: she was boundlessly passionate about making a difference.

Originally from Mistawasis First Nation in Saskatchewan, Lockhart later moved to Lutsel KSA国际影视传媒檈. She was married to former Lutsel KSA国际影视传媒檈 chief Felix Lockhart.

She then relocated to Yellowknife.

In both communities, she left an enduring impact, and touched the lives of many.

Jack Bourassa, regional executive vice-president at the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) North, was one of them.

The pair first met in 2009, when Lockhart joined PSAC NorthSA国际影视传媒檚 Indigenous PeopleSA国际影视传媒檚 Committee, a branch of the union that works to educate, empower and unite Indigenous members to take action on human rights issues. There, Lockhart became a committed champion of Indigenous rights in the workforce.

SA国际影视传媒淪he was a very determined, dogged individual,SA国际影视传媒� recalled Bourassa in an interview with Yellowknifer, adding there arenSA国际影视传媒檛 enough words to SA国际影视传媒渁dequately sum up how I feel about her.SA国际影视传媒�

Bourassa said Lockhart was SA国际影视传媒渧ery passionateSA国际影视传媒� about Indigenous rights, particularly issues faced by Indigenous women, calling it the SA国际影视传媒渃entral focus of her passion.SA国际影视传媒�

But, Bourassa said, her advocacy work didnSA国际影视传媒檛 stop at championing Indigenous rights.

SA国际影视传媒淗er thing was about fair - whatSA国际影视传媒檚 really fair? So there were a lot of people who weren't getting a fair shake and she worked on campaigns related to racially visible people, the Pride community, and access issues,SA国际影视传媒� said Bourassa.

SA国际影视传媒淪he was just an advocate for the underdog,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

At a community discussion held in Ndilo in 2013, following Idle No More protests, Lockhart was there, joining the talk on protecting land and water from resource extraction.

At a vigil for Mariella Lennie in 2012, Lockhart was there, joining a chorus of growing calls demanding an inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women.

The same year, Lockhart, who worked as an Aboriginal wellness co-ordinator at Stanton Territorial Health Authority, brought Northern health concerns to Ottawa, alongside community advocate Arlene Hache.

SA国际影视传媒淭he North will miss her! Canada and the world will miss her! Her sphere of influence was huge and impactful,SA国际影视传媒� wrote Hache in a public Facebook post.

Last year, at a Yellowknife rally protesting the acquittal of a white farmer from Saskatchewan who shot and killed Colten Boushie, a young Indigenous man, Lockhart was there, again using her voice to spur change.

But it was a voice she didnSA国际影视传媒檛 always have. Lockhart, a survivor of severe abuse who once lived on the streets in the throes of addiction, told CBC North in 2015 she had to find her own way of looking at the world after being told how to think and live for years by agents of colonialism.

Years after pushing for an inquiry, Lockhart used her voice to tell her own story of trauma and resilience at a hearing held in Yellowknife last year.

Beyond Sandra the advocate, Jack Bourassa has found memories of what Lockhart was like as a person, including her notoriously bright smile.

"As soon as she walked into a room she commanded peopleSA国际影视传媒檚 attention. People knew she was there,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

SA国际影视传媒淪andra is legendary, she will not soon be forgotten,SA国际影视传媒� added Bourassa.

SA国际影视传媒淚f I could only say one thing, it would Mahsi Cho.SA国际影视传媒�

A visitation for Lockhart was held in Yellowknife on Thursday.