An interview with Arnold August

This interview was originally filmed on March 26, 2024. It is with immense sadness that we share that dear Arnold August (Neskonlith First Nation) passed away peacefully in the early evening of Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Kelowna General Hospital. Arnold will always be remembered as a kindhearted, gracious, and wise man whose faith in his Creator, Jesus, was his guiding light. At Metro, he was revered as an Elder in the community. His spiritual insights were always profound and life-giving. He was a man who memorized the holy scriptures and who lived by the conviction of his beliefs. One thing that is beautiful about Arnold is that there are a number of communities that consider him a part of them because he connected deeply with everyone he encountered. Arnold suffered tremendously as a child in the Canadian residential school system. He would share that many traumas that he endured in adult life were a result of his childhood trauma. Yet incredibly, he refused to be defined by it. Rather, he chose to forgive. He lived an uncomplicated, simple life defined by hopefulness, joy, and love. Arnold is absolutely irreplaceable. His passing has left a huge hole in our community. But we can be comforted and assured that he is now at peace in the loving arms of his Maker. We send our sincere condolences to his family and friends.