Rosemary Assiniboine

Rosemary Assiniboine

"Winona"

Surrounded by the love of her children, grandchildren, family and friends, Rosemary Assiniboine of Long Plains First Nation, Manitoba, passed on into the spirit world on Monday, December 13, 2010.

Left to treasure her memory are her seven children Del, Maggie, Joan, James, Kathy, Lisa, and Keith; 83 grandchildren; 45 great grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren Tamara, Jayris, Kolby and Kurt; Rosemary's adopted children Hank Hotain, David Blacksmith, Murray Blacksmith, Vernon (Shosho) and Lisa Meeches (Buckeye) and her brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews.

Rosemary was predeceased by her parents Gordie and Barbara Woods, husband and dear friend Jimmy and five sons Dennis, Harold, Kenny, Curtis and Feralin.

At an early age, Rosemary was sent to Portage Indian Residential School. She was sent home at the age of 11 to take care of her brothers and sisters. Although she was not allowed to speak Dakota freely in school, Rosemary held on to her Dakota language.

Rosemary was a strong and compassionate woman whose life enriched all that she touched. She was proud of her Dakota ancestry and spent her life passing on traditions, wisdom and gifts to her family and community. Being independent and head strong since she was a young woman, Rosemary and Jimmy raised their 11 children. She held her family close, not only the ones the creator blessed her with from birth, but also those she took under her wing as an adopted son, daughter and grandchild from the pow wow trail.

"Kunshi" a�" Grandmother, was known across Indian Country for her steady hand that shaped beautiful beadwork onto pow wow regalia. A treasured story she use to share was that when beading, sometimes a different coloured bead would make it onto the needle, one that didn't really belong, but she accepted the imperfection. Not only in beading, but in living, Kunshi acknowledged life's flaws, but in a good way, that the imperfections were meant to be and it was something that made each of us unique and special.

She was also known for her great generosity and intuitive spirituality. Many times she would have a pair of moccasins she had just made ready for someone who had just passed on, that she would respectfully offer to their family. Rosemary was a strong presence in the Circle, through ceremony, mentoring young pow wow dancers and writing songs in the Dakota language. A treasured tradition and a legacy in her famly, the songs she has co-written with her sons, the late Curtis and Feralin, will pass from generation to generation and live on forever.

Rosemary loved her home in Long Plain but she also loved the pow wow trail and enjoyed the summers traveling to many pow wows with her family. She proudly watched as her grandchildren took their places in the pow wow circle and as she listened to the songs of her sons and grandsons, singing in Dakota, stories of creation, love and life. She was a respected matriarch and elder in many communities and circles, who will life on in the hearts, the voices and the hands of those who met and were touched by her beautiful soul.

Her immeasurable kindness, patience, forgiveness, smile, contagious laughter and warm guidance will be forever treasured and sadly missed. Today we celebrate her life.

Wake will take place in the Long Plain Spirit Lodge at 3:30 pm on Thursday, December 16, 2010. Traditional Feast is to begin at 12 noon on Friday, December 17, 2010 followed by the Traditional Funeral Service with burial in Long Plain Cemetery.

A message can be left in the on-line guest book at www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com