Manitoba elder Dave Courchene Jr., founder of Indigenous education centre, dies at 71
A Manitoba elder who founded an internationally recognized centre that shares Indigenous knowledge and teachings died Wednesday at age 71.
The Turtle Lodge Centre of Excellence in Indigenous Education and Wellnesssaid in a social media post that Dave Courchene Jr. had "begun his journey into the Spirit world."
Courchene Jr. was also known by his spirit names Nitamabit and Nii Gaani Aki Inini, which translate to "The Original Way; One who Sits in Front and Leading Earth Man."
The post said he died peacefully at his home on the Sagkeeng First Nation surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
Courchene founded the lodge at Sagkeeng in southern Manitoba in 2002 as a gathering place to exchange intergenerational knowledge, revitalize language, train youth leaders and find environmental solutions to climate change.
The centre says on its website that the Anishinaabe elder shared the stage with other spiritual leaders over the years, including the Dalai Lama.
Courchene was born to a family of leaders.
His great-grandfather, Joseph Courchene, and grandfather, Paul Courchene, were both chiefs in their community, a biography from the centre says.
His father, David Courchene Sr., also became chief and in the 1960s was grand chief and co-founder of the Manitoba Indian Brotherhood, which led to the formation of the advocacy group Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs in 1988.
The assembly said Courchene will be remembered for his lifelong work in revitalizing First Nations jurisdiction.
"Your legacy will be strongly reflected in the ongoing (Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs) mandate to protecting and promoting First Nations' rights; and in all the teachings, sacred laws, and language and cultural resources that are housed at the Turtle Lodge," Grand Chief Arlen Dumas said in a statement.
Cindy Woodhouse, a regional chief with the Assembly of First Nations, said she's honoured to have been on the receiving end of what she called Courchene's profound spiritual teachings.
"Elder Dr. Courchene has been a bridge to working with the Assembly of First Nations, Indigenous Nations around the world, and a protector and advocate for the environment and culture knowledge-keeper from whom we as First Nations peoples across the country have all sought guidance," she said in a statement.
Courchene was recognized at a special event to honour his work last month. Gov. Gen. Mary May Simon thanked him for his determination, wisdom and perseverance in protecting Indigenous knowledge and the environment.
"Your vision and commitments to respect and protect our lands and waters grows more critical with each sunset," Simon said in a video statement recorded at Rideau Hall.
"Your work and the teachings and the values you have given us are more and more being heard and heeded."
At the same event, environmental activist David Suzuki said Courchene taught him about having respect for Mother Earth and the natural law.
Courchene was predeceased by his wife, Orianna Courchene, who died in February 2020.
The lodge says a ceremony and feast are to be held at the centre on Sunday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
DEVELOPING Live updates from the Trump hush money trial: Stormy Daniels, bookkeeper testify
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Boeing 737 catches fire and skids off the runway at a Senegal airport, injuring 10 people
A Boeing 737-300 plane carrying 85 people skidded off a runway at the airport in Dakar, Senegal's capital, injuring 10 people, according to the transport minister, an airline safety group and footage from a passenger that showed the aircraft on fire.
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
Man accused of killing two children at Quebec daycare to stand trial in April 2025
The man accused of murdering two children and injuring six others after a city bus crashed into a Montreal-area daycare is scheduled to stand trial over five weeks beginning in April 2025.