Honouring the passing of another great leader, friend to all - Robin Greene

Robin Robert Sr. Greene
Iskatewizaagegan #39 Independent First Nation, ON

Mauchibinance (Ma-Chi-Biness)
Moose Dotem
May 16, 1932 - April 25, 2009

It is with our deepest respect and profound sadness that we announce the passing of our dear father, brother, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather, cousin, friend, partner, and a highly respected Traditional Leader, Healer and Elder.

Ma-Chi-Biness passed away peacefully at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora, Ontario with his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews and his devoted wife Kathleen at his bedside.

Mauchibinance has gone home to be with his son, Robin Jr., his parents Gertrude (Pinesse) Charles Greene, his older brother Desmond, the mother of his children - Mable (Redsky), his grandson Thunderchild Keesick (aka T.C.), and his great grandson Desmond Meeches.

Ma-Chi-Biness is survived by:

  • His children: Robert, Patrick Sr. (Lorraine), Roberta (Eddy-Boy), Janice (Charles), and Glenna (Robert).
  • His siblings: sisters Ella-Dawn Greene, Alice (Steven Kejick), and his brother Frank (Viola) with special mention of his cousin Basil Greene.
  • His grandchildren: Dexter (Miranda), Candace, Erika, Gordon, Kendrick (Charmaine), Courtney (Justin), Pat Jr. (Nakita), Eugene (Brianne), Nolan, Armand, Tara and Nicolas.
  • His great grandchildren: Danielle, Liberty, Jairon, Kendall, Alexandrea, Pashynce, Zoey, Dexter Jr., and Payne.
  • Nieces and nephews: Laverna, Bernice, Leona, Corrina, Vivian, Isabella, Patricia, Deborah, Garland, Chris, Earl, Eveleen, Conway, James, Randy, Tanya, Basil Jr., Mary and Peter.

Mauchibinesse was born May 16, 1932 at Big Island where he began his journey and will be remembered as kind, loving, strong and gentle Anishinabe. He was a humble spiritual Leader, Teacher, Healer and Advisor. He will be remembered by all those who knew and loved him. He was raised by his parents and his Ko-kum and Shomis who taught him the traditional values and culture.

We especially acknowledge the love he had for ALL his Gwemas and the many spiritual children he adopted or adopted him. We also acknowledge the many close friends, colleagues, and acquaintances he had over his lifetime and who have been supportive and compassionate through our hardship. Special thanks to those who have taken an active role in ensuring the preparation of the Traditional Ceremony. To all those too numerous to count, we “Thank You” from the bottom of our hearts.

Mauchibiness devoted his whole life to helping others, including Aboriginal Activism. He was instrumental with the inclusion of Treaty Rights in the Canadian Constitution. He embarked on his political journey at the age of 16 when he became a Councillor for Shoal Lake. He was also Chief of Shoal Lake for years, and then became Grand Chief of Treaty #3 for many years.

He has too many accomplishments to mention here. To paint his character and love of life - he loved and played the fiddle, banjo, guitar, and drum. He belonged to The Lake of the Woods drum group for many years. He played hockey. He enjoyed to dance: traditional, Jigging and square dancing. He enjoyed the great outdoors and often went hunting and fishing.

We would like to express our appreciation and gratitude to the many people who showed their love, support and visited Mauchibinesse at home and at the hospital. We are eternally grateful to all our family and friends.

We especially acknowledge the lovee and support from “Andy Beaver” who had been with us every step of the way during our most difficult time and helped out 24/7. Special thanks to the compassionate care of Dr. Workman and the many nurses at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital of the ICU and the Palliative Care.

We ask, instead of flowers, that ALL donations collected for the duration of the Wake and Traditional Burial Service go toward: the “Mauchibinesse Memorial Fund” that will donate money for the preservation of the Ojibway language and culture, diabetes and a cure for cancer.

EVERYBODY WELCOME!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. Mauchibinesse will arrive home. The Wake will last for two nights at David Kejick School, Shoal Lake, Ontario, with the Traditional Burial Service to be held on Thursday, April 30, 2009.

In respect of the family and in Mauchibinesse’s memory, we ask that all females wear skirts and that people DO NOT WEAR red clothing or jewellery due to the nature of the Traditional Ceremony.

Robin will be loved always by Kee-way-tin-abek his wife Kathleen Greene; his stepchildren John Edward Nasakapow (Nadina), Robinson Joseph Tobacco, Lionel Young (Joanne) (Josephine), Garnet Tobacco (Theresa), Jessica Creely; step grandchildren Olivia, Danielle (Steve), Steffi and Johnnie, Alfred, Robin girl, Brook, Jessie, Ashley, Kathleen, Tayler, Cory; step great grandchildren Chase, Cash McLeod, Paris Lathlin, Rumor, Jesslyn, Hayden, Mya, Gemma; sisters-in-law Miriam Martin, Rachel Patchenose from Leona Jean Moore, Ida Shirley Moore, Christina Moorman (Keith), Theresa Moore; brothers-in-law Fred Nasakawpow from British Columbia, Zacc Oliver Moore (Patricia), Daniel Henry Moore (Maria), John Thomas Moore all from Apaskawayak Cree Nation.

Predeceased by father and mother-in-law Joseph and Eliza Nasakawpow, brothers-in-law Noah Robinson, Joe and John Nasakawpow.

Online condolences may be made at www.mem.com

Traditional Burial Service on Thursday, April 30, 2009 from the Shoal Lake School