All of us across the Can-SOLVE CKD Network are saddened by the passing of our friend and colleague Howard Vincent.

Howard was a patient partner and member of the Indigenous Peoples’ Engagement and Research Council who was known throughout the network as a strong and passionate voice for those living with kidney disease.

Howard brought many remarkable attributes to the network, including his exceptional candor and a willingness to speak honestly and openly, whether addressing fellow patients or a conference hall full of physicians. He had a knack for voicing important, sometimes uncomfortable perspectives that challenged conventional thinking and forced to us to reflect critically on our work. When Howard spoke, we all stopped to listen, and the network was so much stronger for his contributions.

Howard was committed to using his experiences to help others. As a patient partner on the Kidney Check project in British Columbia, he brought crucial insights to the table that helped shape the engagement of Indigenous communities across BC. He was also a valued member of the Indigenous Peoples’ Engagement and Research Council who worked to foster mutual respect and cultural safety in relationships between health researchers and Indigenous peoples. In addition to his roles with Can-SOLVE CKD, Howard worked for more than 20 years with Lake Babine First Nation in Burns Lake, British Columbia, providing counselling services in the area of mental health, addictions, grief and loss, and historical trauma.

When he joined the network in 2015, Howard wrote to his fellow patient partners, “Being involved in Can-SOLVE CKD is an opportunity to bring an awareness and a message to all who are dealing with CKD, especially the marginalized of our society. They need care, love and knowledge so they can have a chance to live a good life.” All of us across the network will keep Howard’s words and his memory in our hearts as we work to realize this vision.

Please feel free to share your memories of Howard and messages of condolence in the space below.

It is a sad day because we have lost Howard Vincent from this earth, his communities, and our Can-SOLVE CKD teams, and IPERC. Having struggled and overcome so much for his whole life, sadly he was not able to overcome his health issues in the last few months. We saw him as a leader, the voice of truth ( and reconciliation). He grounded us in reality and hope, and gave a voice to Indigenous matters, but even more importantly to marginalized individuals. He spoke from the heart and we listened and we learned.

He came into our world of kidney disease, where we hoped that we could offer him hope and guidance and care; and he could help us and others understand and care better for those with kidney diseases. He was refreshing, honest, kind and spirited; he was wise, personable and larger than life in so many ways. He gave me presents (a stone, a necklace and a small pouch of tobacco); to help acknowledge the gifts I was giving him as my knowledge and wisdom : the gesture was powerful for me. We as individuals are partners in exchanges of care, learning or research, each with gifts for each other, tangible and otherwise. The stone, smoothed by many years of water, soil and human hands, has enabled me to calmly get through many, many difficult conversations. I hold it in my palm : the stone helps me to appreciate the years of thoughtful decision making that so many different individuals have been involved in, insights born from multiple perspectives, clarity and calm. Thank you Howard, for all that you have shared. I hope your pain is eased, that you breathe well, that you feel heard and that you are at peace.
Thank you for being you. You will be missed.

Adeera Levin

My condolences to Howard’s family and the indigenous communities that had the opportunity to know him.Although I personally did not know him but, as a Patient Partner of Can-Solve CKD he spoke the truth and anguish of his people and all of us living with CKD he was a strong man.Rest in Peace and Never Forgotten

Robert Buzinski

Turtle island has lost a special person today. My deepest sympathy to Howard’s family and friends. He was someone you would never forget once you met him. And who couldn’t love his hair? :-) I loved his honesty and how he was true to himself. His commitment to helping others was something that always touched me about Howard. He will be missed by myself and I’m sure the many people he helped. Rest in peace Howard. The world is a little darker today without you.

Chantal Boucher

A sad day and loss for our kidney community. Vincent was a gentle and generous man; full of life, hope and laughter. He always spoke his mind and reminded us of what really mattered in life. I will miss his stories, his colourful personality (and hair!), and his friendship. He truly wanted to make the world a better place and in his own way, I think he did. Rest in peace my dear friend.

Selina Allu

I remember meeting Howard for the first time at a restaurant in Toronto the night before our priority setting exercise for became the 18 projects initially funded for Can-SOLVE CKD.

Howard was the kind of person who spoke with passion and with thought. He commanded a room when he spoke, both with his words and with his speaking style. It was that day that I knew that I had to learn about the experiences of our Indigenous brothers and sisters and then to make sure that I honour my commitment to truth and reconciliation in all that I do. Howard, thank you for teaching me more than I ever could ever learn from a book or a course. Rest in peace my friend. The world has lost a precious soul today.

Michael McCormick

What a sad day – the world has lost such a bright spirit! I always loved it when Howard was able to participate in a meeting because I knew that the meeting was going to be just a bit more special and interesting thanks to his presence. He had an amazing energy and he always spoke with such candour and passion. I learned so much from Howard and am very grateful to have gotten to know him a little bit. Sending thoughts, prayers and sympathy to his family and friends. Rest in peace Howard…

Lis Fowler

Howard was a tough warrior with a tender heart (and colourful hair!) like a care bear. Despite the rough life he lived, he was resilient and self-giving in brightening the days of numerous others. He commanded an audience to reflect and rethink when he spoke.

Howard, thank you for being such an awesome friend, colleague and mentor. I am very grateful for what you have taught me, through our friendship, about the Indigenous way of being and knowing plus much more in the past five years. I pray and trust that you are on a peaceful spirit journey home.

Helen Chiu

Howard was an inviting spicy individual that had a big heart as bright as his hair. Howard is in my prayers as I hold a sacred fire for his send off. I’m sure the ancestors will be so glad he has arrived

Wahkohtowin Howard. Together in peace.

Brother, your spirit is journeying home. I felt you today as I was outside.

You shared your story, all of it in the hopes of helping others. This was your gift and you were generous with it. You showed me strength, vulnerability and a bit of mischief too.

Always ready to sit down to a meal and talk. Those were the best times with you, along with the phone calls. Baamaapii

Mary Beaucage

I remember Howard fondly. He could be challenging in exposing the shortcomings of society and individuals, but he did so with humour and in a good spirit. I will miss him.

Howard, may your spirit be well.

Malcolm King

His heart was as bright as his hair. Howard was always kind to me. I wish you well on your journey to the ancestors.

Mary

Howard was a caring individual who shared his knowledge & strengths with all of us. As he passes over we remember his colourful hair & well meaning heart. Take care friend & rest easy on your spirit journey.???

Cathy Woods