WALTER

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WALTER McKENZIE Walter McKenzie, Kisisbimosay, was born to Thomas and Maryanne (Hardlotte) McKenzie at Lac La Ronge, SK, September 9, 1940. Giisis e-si-bimoset Gwiisan (Boy Walking Towards The Sun,) of the Whooping Crane Clan, travelled to the spirit world peacefully on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 at the Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg with his wife and family, relatives and friends at his side. Walter is survived by his son Jonathan (Jennifer) his loving wife Doris Young; step-children, Alannah, Lorne, and Lorena; grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Melody and Jerad; sisters, Sally and Barbara; brothers, Jahoe, Moses and Benjamin; and many loving nieces and nephews. Family and Midewewin relatives prepared Wally for his journey home to the spirit world with a traditional ceremony. A sacred fire will burn in his honour for four nights. He was predeceased by his beloved parents; sisters, Maggie McKenzie, Flora Hastings, Louisa Custer and Bella Cook; brothers, Zacharias and David. Wally was a trapper, fisherman and hunter. He loved the land that taught him many beautiful and important lessons that carried him throughout his life. He served in the Canadian Air Force with the Air Crash and Rescue. He was an artist, sculptor, photographer, and a raconteur - a skill he developed in the Aboriginal Toast Masters. He graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Fine Arts degree and taught Indian Fine Arts courses at the First Nations University of Canada in Prince Albert and various northern First Nations communities in Saskatchewan. He lived happily at the Opaskwayak Cree Nation with Doris for many years. We will remember him with fondness and laughter. He loved telling jokes and usually missed the punch line. He was always respectful, considerate and kind to everyone. A memorial service was held at the Church of Messiah, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Thursday, 1:00 p.m. May 27, 2004. Flowers respectfully declined. If friends so desire a donation may be made to a charity of their choice. A traditional funeral was held at the Kitsaki Hall, Lac La Ronge, SK, at 9:00 Saturday morning May 29, 2004. Pallbearers are the Midewewin Oskabewisak from the Three Fires Lodge. Honorary pallbearers are all the relatives and all those who loved him. Final resting place will be at the Lac La Ronge Indian Band Cemetery, La Ronge, SK. Many thanks to the doctors and staff at the St. Anthonys Hospital in The Pas for their attention and compassionate care. To the ambulance service attendants who cared for Wally en-route to the hospital. Special thank you to the people who found Wally and called for help. Thank you to all the people who cooked, singers, and family and friends and relatives who came to give us support. To anyone else who helped in any way. Thank you.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 02, 2004