Morris KIYEWAKAN

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KIYEWAKAN: Morris James Kiyewakan (O’ We Snaye Mani) passed away suddenly on October 18, 2009 at the Assiniboine Centre at the age of 84. Morris was born February 10, 1925 in File Hills, Saskatchewan to Ada (Wasicuna) and James Kiyewakan. He was predeceased by his brother Wilfred Kiyewakan and 2 sisters Pearly Kiyewakan and Nancy Pompana. He will be sadly missed by his wife of 64 years Margaret Kiyewakan (nee Myran); one daughter, Shirley Kiyewakan (Norman) and adopted daughter Sara Cheekie; grandchildren Tania Kennedy (Floyd), Nancy McFarland, and Dean Kiyewakan (Eldina); great-grandchildren, James Kiyewakan, Catharine Kennedy (Warren), Ian Enns, Christina Enns, Evan Enns, Clarisa Jesmer, Cheyenne Jesmer, Stacy Kiyewakan and Cory Kiyewakan. He will also be greatly missed by his sisters Rose Crane, Cora Bray, Josephine Kiyewakan and Rita Bragdon. Also left to mourn are his numerous cousins, nieces and nephews in Canada and the United States, as well as, his many Godchildren. Morris was a residential school survivor who attended the Elkhorn residential school. He was a very athletic young man and was involved in many sports such as track and field, a forward for the Oak River Reserve Hockey Team, as well as, a baseball pitcher. Morris served as a band councillor and a lay reader for the St. Luke’s Anglican Church. He enjoyed being outdoors and loved to fish for pickerel and goldeye, trapping for mink, beaver and muskrat and hunting for deer and elk. He also loved to farm and grew and harvested various types of crops, as well as, raising various livestock. After retiring from farming, Morris worked as a school bus driver and medical van driver. He also took pride in his garden and grew many types of vegetables, as well as, planting trees and flowers. He was a great storyteller, who told stories that were passed down from his grandmother. He was also a historian of the Dakota people and loved his culture. He also served on various committees and boards in the community, which included the Sioux Valley pow wow committee, Dakota Oyate Lodge board, Dakota Oyate Self-Government committee and just recently as an elder for the Sioux Valley Court system. Morris also liked to attend various pow wows in Canada and the United States. One of his last unfulfilled duties to the community was for him to carry the 2010 Winter Games Olympic torch when it passed by Sioux Valley, he was second runner up as a represented elder. A memorial service celebrating the life of Morris was held at the Brockie Donovan Funeral Chapel on Thursday, October 22, 2009. A traditional service was held at the Sioux Valley Veterans Hall Friday morning, October 23, 2009 with Harold Blacksmith as master of ceremonies and honor songs sung by the Riverside Dakota singers. Funeral service was held at the Sioux Valley Community Church on Friday afternoon, October 23, 2009 with Father Don Bernhardt officiating. Beautiful hymns were sung by Audrey and Donna Pratt, Irene Ironman and Martha Blacksmith, and Wayne and Giovanna Wasicuna. Interment was at the Anglican Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers were Tim Wasicuna, Ivan Ironman, Stewart Wasteste, Wayne Wasicuna, Albert Taylor and Stanley McKay. Active pallbearers were James Kiyewakan, Dean Kiyewakan, Bruce Blacksmith, Lee Pompana, Guy Chaske and Eli Tacan. The family would like to give personal thanks to Dr. Beestin and nurses; Jennifer, Darla and Cathy of the Assiniboine Centre, as well as, the staff at Brockie Donovan Funeral Chapel. They also very much appreciate those women who helped with cooking and serving; Josie, Trina, Dolly, Abby, Missy and Lee-Marie. They would also like to express their heartfelt thanks and gratitude for all the thoughtful expressions of love and kindness by relatives and friends during their time of loss and bereavement.

As published in Brandon Sun on Oct 31, 2009