Rodney meant so much to so many. He was brilliant, compassionate, and wildly creative. This memorial fundraiser has been created at the request of Rodney’s family. All donations will go directly to The Open Door Montréal, the organization where Rodney worked, created, and gave so much of himself. Your contribution will help carry forward the compassion he shared so generously—and support the people and place that meant so much to him.

All donations will go directly to The Open Door Montréal—the organization where Rodney worked, created, and built deep relationships. It was more than a workplace for him—it was his community, a place where he found purpose and belonging.

Rodney was magnetic. He didn’t seek attention, but had a presence that truly left an imprint.

He was incredibly kind, gentle, and compassionate. Witty—often darkly so—and deeply attuned to the absurdities of life. He was hilarious in that blink-and-you’ll-miss-it kind of way—usually with a smirk and a raised eyebrow. He was also deeply observant and sensitive, in ways he rarely spoke about.

A gifted musician, a natural storyteller, and a creator in the truest sense, Rodney moved through the world like the music he made—unexpected, offbeat, raw, beautiful, and full of feeling. He dressed like no one else, thought like no one else, and said the things others didn’t have the nerve to—but always with immense care and intent.

Rodney also had a well-known love for basketball and football. Sparking connection with others, he even shared his personal collection of basketball magazines at the centre. For him, sports weren’t just about the game—they were about joy, community, and sharing what you love.

At The Open Door Montréal, where he was an intervention worker, this wasn’t just a job—it was a community in which he contributed meaningfully and was deeply cherished. He listened without rushing. He made art with people who rarely get invited to create. He built tools to make our work better. He cared deeply, and everyone around him felt it.

“He had such compassion for all living people and things. He really found his niche there. He belonged. He had purpose, and he loved it.”

—Sue Deschamps, Rodney’s mom

He also advocated for cultural traditions, grounding his work in shared identity and belonging—and in a deeper commitment to collective healing and radical liberation.

Rodney was Cree with roots in Waswanipi (James Bay), and had recently learned that his great-grandmother was Inuk—a truth he embraced with pride. Though he never had the chance to visit his homeland, his family is honouring this wish by arranging for some of his ashes to be sent there—a gesture that would have meant a great deal to him. In many Cree teachings, the land is sacred—it holds the spirit, the past, and the future. Bringing Rodney home is an important way of honouring that connection.

Rodney wasn’t one for grand declarations—he just showed up and did his quiet magic, making a meaningful difference in the lives of all who had the chance to know him.

ᓂᓲᑎᒦᑎ ᐃᐮᒥᓴᓂ

nititâhtin âhuschimâw

We carry you in our hearts, dear one.

The Open Door Montréal is an Indigenous-prioritizing, low-barrier shelter and community organization located in downtown Tiohtià:ke/Montreal. It offers a range of essential programs and services to individuals experiencing homelessness—centered in dignity, accessibility, and care.

You can also learn more about the organization on our main page or here: https://www.opendoortoday.org/en/

For Rodney, The Open Door wasn’t just a place of work—it was a space of purpose, community, and connection. Your donation helps continue that work in his honour.