BRABANT (BERBA) SWAN OGIMAH WAPISH-KI KINEW (GREAT WHITE EAGLE)

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BRABANT (BERBA) SWAN OGIMAH WAPISH-KI KINEW (GREAT WHITE EAGLE) December 10, 1920 December 21, 2007 Peacefully on December 21, 2007 with his family at his bedside at the St. Boniface General Hospital, Berba aged 87 years went home to be with his Creator/Great Spirit. He leaves to mourn seven children; Myra (Archie), Elsie (Leslie), Rose (Mike), Clifford (Lori), Kathleen (Howard), Larry (Glenna), Donnie and six grandchildren he raised as his own; Dennis (Rachel), Beverly, Bradley (Joclyn), Clifford Jr. (Rachel), Rosella (Terry), Darryl (Marilyn); his brother Adolph (Isabel), Lillian Pelletier whom he considered his sister; daughters-in-law Flora, Terry, Peggy, Phyllis, Audrey; son-in-law Billy West; 57 grand-children, 162 great-grandchildren and 45 great-great-grandchildren; numerous nephews and nieces and special friends the Reykdal family of Siglunes and Percy Houle of Ebb Flow. He was predeceased by his wife Margaret in 1992; sons; Raymond, Louis, Ronnie, Alfred and Joseph; daughter Doreen; parents Louis and Elizabeth; daughters-in-law Doreen and Mary; grandchildren Raymond Jr., Robert, Lisa, Clayton, Kristen and Mark; great-grandchildren Michael, Justin, Wyatt, Stephan, Alfred; great- great-grandchildren; Brandon, Diamond, Josiah; brothers Louis Beaulieu, Barney Swan; sisters Lucy Choken, Rose Beaulieu, Marie Beaulieu and special friend Leo Paul. Berba was born on December 10, 1920 at Sandy Bay First Nation and later moved to Lake Manitoba First Nation. He married Margaret on May 8, 1939. Together they raised their children and grandchildren. He worked very hard to survive and to raise his family. He worked at numerous jobs, such as, fishing, trapping, hunting, farming, mining, digging Senaca root and his special skill carpentry. He also served as Chief, as well as Councillor, for Dog Creek (Lake Manitoba First Nation). His hobbies were watching sports such as baseball, hockey and especially wrestling. In his younger days, he enjoyed playing baseball and other games with his children and grandchildren. He also loved to play in baseball tournaments, gardened, worked on his machinery and his vehicle. Up until his passing, he loved to drive around to visit his family and friends, attending community events and traditional gatherings/ceremonies. Berba also loved to go to Bingo in his earlier days and recently started and loved to play scratch win and break-open tickets. He had a great sense of humour, was an excellent story teller and always spoke such profound words of wisdom. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends. He is a great loss but leaves behind a great legacy that will live on. He will be remembered forever for his wisdom, mentorship and guidance that will be carried forward for many generations. Wake services will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 27, 2007 at Berba Swan's residence on Lake Manitoba First Nation. Funeral mass will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 29, 2007, at the Lake Manitoba First Nation School with Father Dominic Kerbrat officiating. Interment to follow in the Lake Manitoba First Nation Cemetery. Active Pallbearers will be his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Justin Swan, Russell Mousseau, Robert Courchene, Lee Paul, Kyle Chartrand and Barret Desjarlais. Crossbearer will be Brandon Spence. Honorary pallbearers will be the rest of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Darnell Swan, Paul McCarten, Dallas West and Ron Swan Jr. Farewell for now, Dad, Grandpa, Uncle, Choom and Mishoomis. Special thanks to the Chief and Council of Lake Manitoba First Nation, St. Boniface Hospital Doctors and Staff of 7A West, Aboriginal Services Staff at St. Boniface Hospital, the Traditional Drum Group and the Arnason Funeral Home. Arrangements by: ARNASON FUNERAL HOMES LTD. Ashern Lundar 1-204-768-2072

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 26, 2007