KATHERINE MORRISSEAU-SINCLAIR

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KATHERINE MORRISSEAU-SINCLAIR

August 3, 1955 - June 27, 2024

After a fierce battle with cancer, our mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, and relative Animikiikwe, Katherine Morrisseau-Sinclair, passed away on June 27, 2024 at St. Boniface Hospital surrounded by all who loved her. Animikiikwe was an inspiring and visionary Anishinaabekwe, 5th degree Midéwiwin, and a kookum to five grandchildren, who were the love of her life. She will be forever missed by her beloved Mazinagiizhik, Murray, her five children, her vast family, and the thousands of relations she guided, walked alongside, and supported in the roles she carried in her life.

Animikiikwe was born August 3, 1955, in Ste. Rose du Lac, Manitoba to Laverne and Harvey Morrisseau. She spent her life advocating for others, and working for Indigenous families, children, and particularly women. She was an artist, classroom educator, activist, and spiritual leader, travelling through and working in dozens of communities in Manitoba throughout her early career until focusing her attention on Treaty One in Winnipeg, where she worked in leadership positions for organizations like Ka Ni Kanichihk, Mother of Red Nations, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, and the Royal Bank of Canada. She credited her tireless dedication to community and incredible work ethic to her mother Laverne and took very seriously the legacy she inherited from her.

Her most treasured work was in partnership with her life partner and husband Mazinagiizhik, in the work they did together in as community advocates, supporting young people, and as Road Chiefs of the Three Fires Midewiwin Lodge. Animikiikwe was called to the lodge after hearing the voice of the Little Boy Water Drum and was guided by many treasured Elders and teachers like Mary Roberts, Eleanore Olson, and Edna Manitowabi, and her spiritual brothers, Bawdwaywidun Banaise, Onaubinasay, and Mizhakwanigiizhik. Together, they helped lead a spiritual re-awakening of Anishinaabe culture throughout the Anishinaabe nation alongside their many Three Fires Lodge relations, with Animikiikwe providing guidance and support to the many who came seeking a path of new life within the lodge. She extended her work as Midewaanikwe in 2014 during the Lake Winnipeg Water Walk, a 28-day journey taking place over 1400 kilometres with her husband, daughters and granddaughters and community to raise awareness for the health of Lake Winnipeg.

Animikiikwe is survived by her true love and life partner Murray, their children and partners: Gazheek (Karolya), Niigaan, Dené (Rich), Kizhay, Misko (Erica) and her grandchildren, Sarah, Misko Banaishe (Paul Porter), Miigizens, Shpaanakwat, and Kaulu. She is deeply loved by her sisters and brothers: Andy (Shirley), Gerald (Yvonne), Lorraine, Evelynn (David), Thelma (Stan), Joe (Susan), and Adrienne. She was predeceased by her mother Laverne, her sisters, Eileen and Connie and her nieces, Rhonda and Leslie. She is loved so much and missed by her many nieces and nephews: Rod, Andrew, Bradly, Curtis, Craig, Charlene, Cheryl, Makayla, Jeremiah, Stephanie, Joshua, Terrie-Lynn, Kelcee-Lynn, Ivory-Lynn, Kelly (Margaret), Riel (Victoria), Charlotte, MacKenzie, Alexsondra, Michelle (RB), Mariah, Tavien, Shawn, Salina, Dayton, Tahlia, Sara (Jake), Mason, Hollyn, Ben, Desiree (Shelby), Cole (Jade), Josh, Kierra, Carrie, Storm, Amanda (Charles), Shayla (Xavier), Shándiien Nitch'i, Anthony, Chayston, Piisim, Autumn-Lee, Sephera, Mariyaim, Joseph, and Benjamin. She is especially missed by her Three Fires Midewiwin Lodge Family, The Road Crew, many nieces and nephews and special helpers Dusti and Nathan.

Aapiji onishizi gizhewaadzi awe gaa-midekwewid. She is a beautiful and kind Midewiwin woman. The family would like to give special thanks to the wonderful care and kind medical teams at Concordia Urgent Care, St Boniface Hospital ICMS and Alex from the Indigenous Health Support Team at St. Boniface Hospital.

Midewiwin Funeral Rites were conducted by Three Fires Midewiwin Lodge June 28-30, 2024, at West St. Paul Funeral Home, 92 Merit Crescent in West St. Paul and were followed by interment on June 30, 2024, at Glen Eden Memorial at 4477 Main St. Curtis Monkman Funeral Director in Care of Arrangements 204-226-7581.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 13, 2024, Jul 13, 2024