HARRY RUSK EULOGY

Harry Edward Etsuka Rusk, (De'Dsoo)

 (July 5,1937- March 20, 2025)

Harry was a member of the northern Dene, Slavey Nation, who was regarded as the first Indigenous artist to perform on the Grand Ole Opry stage in Nashville, Tnn. USA.

He was born to Edward and Mary Etsuka July 5, 1937, who were from the village of Kahntah near Fort Nelson, B.C. As an 11 yr boy, Harry suffered from tuberculosis and was sent to the Old Charles Camsell Indian Hospital in Edmonton, for 4 years, not expected to live at first. Harry took up sign painting, barbering, leather work, guitar playing, upgraded his writing, math and history. Harry’s mother bought him his first guitar with money she earned sewing moccasins and mukluks for the Hudson Bay Company. 

 A chance encounter with Hank Snow would change Harry’s life; the famed Canadian country artist, visited the Camsell Hospital in June of 1952 - Hank became a major inspiration to Harry to heal and strive to become a singer & guitarist himself. The two became lifelong friends. Harry shared a story that took place on June 13th, 1972 when he received a phone call from Hank who made an amazing offer.

"Harry, have you got time to come down and be my guest in my Nashville home? Plus, I got you on the Opry and also The Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree this June 30th weekend?"

Harry excitingly went to Nashville and his dream of playing the Grand Ole Opry came true! This opened doors for his career, he performed at the Opry several times between 1972 with his last on the famed stage in 1996.

He shared how excited he was walking off stage the first time at the “Opry” with Hank Snow and others waiting in the wings. He also loved late nights at coffee joints with stars and musicians, the comaraderie was first class in those days. Harry made it clear he abstained from alcohol throughout his life because of the negative effects he saw it could lead to in his youth.

“God knows my heart, and how greatly thankful I am for His taking this boy from the trapline, in the middle of "no where". Who would have thought that; this little boy, with less than a grade three education, and living at times in the depths of poverty, shot at with rifles, practically spit on, cursed at, condemned to death, would ever reach every goal that he set and ever dreamed of and have these all come about, getting to and reaching the top of Country Music - Nashville, Tennessee's Grand Old Opry and the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree? God certainly had his hand upon me, and has been good to me. Words can not tell or describe how merciful I am. I count my many blessings every day and always will for, "as long as I shall live". I am glad I made that decision to work hard and follow Hank Snow's music way back in June of 1952.” – Harry

While living in Fort Nelson, BC Harry hosted his "Country Time With Harry Rusk" radio show aired over CHFN, a Canadian Armed Forces station.

Harry placed six songs on the RPM Charts during the period 1968-1973. Two of his hit songs include ‘Rose of Mexico’ his first and his all-time favourite ‘The Red Man and the Train’ which appeared on the third of his 10 albums, he also released several singles (45’s). 

Interestingly, he constructed his own double neck guitar that’s seen on the cover of his album entitled “My Northern Memories,” the top neck is actually a mandolin and the bottom part is a standard guitar. 

After relocating to Edmonton, Harry Rusk appeared on several television shows, beginning in 1966 with Gaby Haas, CFRN-TV’s, CTV’s Country Music Hall, CBC’s COUNTRY TIME and the Don Messer Show, among others. 

 In 1986, there was a movie produced by AMMSA/CBC, Rocky Woodward, on Harry's life entitled “Beyond the Bend of the River” which received a special Jury Award.

In 1996, Harry Rusk was inducted into the ‘Hank Snow Country Music Archives and Hall of Fame’ in Liverpool, Nova Scotia. In his latter years Harry and wife Gladys,  resided in Carrot Creek, Alberta, at their “Rainbow Ranch” (which was named in tribute to the late Hank Snow’s homestead,) where he published his autobiography "Beyond The Bend Of The River" in 1999.

 In 2010, Harry Rusk was presented with the "Bev Munro Traditional Country Music Legend Award in Alberta; and in 2015 he was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award by the National Traditional Country Music Association, an organization based in Iowa, USA. Harry Rusk and his wife Gladys have been committed to the local gospel country scene for decades, singing in churches, senior lodges, cowboy church, rodeos, etc. Never to be forgotten, Harry Rusk has made music history, a man of faith, a man of music, a legend who will not be forgotten.