TOBASONAKWUT KINEW
TOBASONAKWUT KAAGAGEWANAKWEB PETER (KELLY) KINEW
1936 - 2012 Ahow ndinawemaaganiidog, Tobasonakwut Kaagagewanakweb
Peter Kinew (Kelly), Pizhiw O'dotem (Lynx clan), made his journey to the
spirit world on the morning of December 23, 2012. He was 76.
Tobasonakwutiban was a well-respected member of the Anishinaabe
community, whose life and work was known throughout Canada and the
United States. He was a tireless advocate and teacher of civil liberties
and treaty rights, indigenous language, culture, and philosophy. He was
a pipe carrier, Sundance chief, and high-degree member of the
Mite'iwin. Tobasonakwutiban was born on his father's trap line on Lake
of the Woods in 1936 and chosen by elders as a child to be instructed
and mentored in the knowledge and traditions of the Anishinaabeg. His
knowledge was unparalleled. Throughout his life he loved to spend time
on the lake sharing its beauty with his family and friends from all over
the world. At a young age he was taken away to St. Mary's Residential
School, which he was only allowed to attend until grade eight. Despite
this, he pursued his education at the Coady International Institute at
St. Francis Xavier University, University of Manitoba (BA), culminating
in an Honourary Doctorate in Laws from The University of Winnipeg in
2011. He encouraged many to pursue their educations, inspiring countless
people to become lawyers and doctors. He also inspired many to live a
life free of drugs and alcohol. In his political career,
Tobasonakwutiban served as Grand Chief of Grand Council Treaty 3 (1972
to 1975, 1991 to 1995), and as the first Ontario regional chief for AFN,
as well as several terms as Chief of the Ojibways of Onigaming. He was
instrumental in the establishment and guidance of many organizations
that advocated for language revitalization, treaty and First Nations
rights. In the quest to find healing after the loss of his two sons
Darryl and Danny, he continued in the Mite'iwin and other Anishinaabe
ceremonies, and embraced the Lakota Sundance, becoming a powerful
teacher and mentor to many in these traditions. As part of his life
journey, Tobasonakwutiban strove for meaningful action and carried out
traditional Anishinaabe ceremonies in the name of reconciliation, with
emphasis on the residential school experience. This included giving Pope
Benedict XVI an eagle feather in 2009, adopting the Archbishop of
Winnipeg James Weisgerber as his brother in 2012, and sharing the
Anishinaabe worldview with all peoples, Native and non-Native.
Tobasonakwutiban was a profound thinker. He connected western
intellectual traditions and scientific inquiry with Anishaabe philosophy
and cosmology. It was his life's work to share the depth and beauty of
Anishinaabe wisdom with the world. He was a founding member of the
Native American Science Academy. He was a beloved son, brother, husband,
father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He joins his mother, father,
sons Darryl and Danny, twin Bineshii, and brothers Edwin and John. He
is survived by his wife Kathi, brother Fred, sister Nancy, children Pat
(Herman), Diane, Wabanakwut, Shawon Kiwetinashiik (Jesse),
Nenaa'ikiizhikok, grandchildren Devon, Derek, Melissa, Jennifer, Daniel,
Wendy, Jason, Matthew, Lisa, Peshanakwut, Mike, Dominik Oshkii'anang,
Bezhigomiigwaan and numerous great-grandchildren and adopted relatives. A
memorial service for family and friends will be held in Winnipeg at
Glen Lawn Funeral Home at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 27. The wake
will be held on Friday, December 28 at Ojibways of Onigaming First
Nation, ON. The funeral will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday,
December 29 at the Onigaming Round House. In lieu of flowers, donations
may be made to CancerCare Manitoba or to the Dr. Tobasonakwut Kinew
Fund for the promotion of Indigenous Culture, History and Language, care
of The University of Winnipeg Foundation.
As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on December 27, 2012
I was very fortunate to know Mr. Peter Tobasoankwut Kinew. A gentleman of great knowledge that is for sure. He will be missed by very many people.
I think the family will not be at all surprised by the amount of people that Peter Kinew influenced in a good way. He was generous with his Teachings and his time.
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