Wilma Pelly

Wilma Pelly (March 5, 1937 – December 28, 2020) was an indigenous Canadian film and television actress, best known for her roles as Elsie Tsa'Che in the CBC Television drama North of 60 and as Kookum in Mixed Blessings.

Early life Born Wilma Episkenew, she was a member of the Muscowpetung Saulteaux First Nation. She was recognized by the Alberta Media Production Industries Association's Rosie Awards as Best Actress in 1998.

Following the conclusion of the regular weekly North of 60 series, Pelly was cast in Giovanni Veronesi's film Gunslinger's Revenge, the production of which marked her first time ever travelling outside of North America. She subsequently appeared in other film and television productions, usually playing an indigenous grandmother or community elder.

Death She died on December 28, 2020, in Calgary. Her final film performance, in Rueben Martell's film Don't Say Its Name, was in post-production and had not yet been released at the time of her death.

Filmography Television North of 60 (1992-1997) - Elsie Tsa Che Children of the Dust (1995) - Nita In the Blue Ground (1999) - Elsie Tsa Che Dream Storm (2001) - Elsie Tsa Che Another Country (2003) - Elsie Tsa Che Dreamkeeper (2003) - Old Woman Into the West (2005) - Burnt by the Sun Distant Drumming (2005) - Elsie Tsa Che Elijah (2007) - Old Woman Mixed Blessings (2007-08) - Kookum Arctic Air (2014) - Auntie Belle Documentary Now! (2015) - Aglatki Qamaniq Fargo (2015) - Native American housekeeper

Film Gunslinger's Revenge (1998) - Native Grandmother The Last Rites of Ransom Pride (2010) - Old Woman Land (2018) - Mary Yellow Eagle Parallel Minds (2020) - Kookum Don't Say Its Name (2021) - Aggie