Joseph "Matnakewinu" Benjamin Marshall

Joe B. entered the world at Grace Maternity Hospital on the 30th day of June, 1940, in Halifax, NS. Born to Mary Doucette of Waqmtkuk and Alexander Julien of Millbrook, First Nation (both deceased). Joe B. was raised by his parents the Late Susie and Joe Marshall of Membertou.

He deeply loved his siblings. He is survived by brothers Bernie Francis, Peter J. Doucette, Keith Julien, Derek Stephens, and is predeceased by his siblings, Carl Gould, Frank Doucette, Joe Julien, Sandra Julien, Linda Julien, Janet Bernard, and Angeline Paul.

Joe B.‘s heart belonged to Unama’ki. Raised on Maillard Street (Lazytown) in Membertou First Nation, he would build his love for being Mi’kmaw and love for our Mi’kmaw language. With his childhood best friends, the Christmas brothers Noel, Mike (both deceased) and Steve (Dinglo) they shared their love for adventure and sports. They were all known to be strong swimmers and quite frequently swam across the Sydney Harbour.

Joe B. was a Shubenacadie Indian Residential School survivor. He often said that he would not have survived the hardships if not for the brotherhood and support of the Christmas brothers of which were in that institution right beside him.

Joe B. set goals for himself. He was a talented athlete and excelled in many sports. He was a proud Veteran of the Royal Canadian Airforce (1957-60). After his Honourable discharge from the Airforce, Joe B. met his first love the late Malia’n Paul at Potlotek Miniku during Ste. Anne’s mission. They were married that same year in November of 1960. After a brief time in Membertou they decided to settle in the largest Mi’kmaw community in the world, Eskasoni. It was there that they raised four children Jay (Paula), Eleanor Doody (Barry), George Tex (Janean) and Yolanda Babes (Leon). Joe B. and Malia’n shared 51 married years together building a lifetime of memories alongside their large family. They shared a deep love of Ste. Anne and enjoyed their time every summer on Miniku. It is a tradition his family will lovingly carry forward with their families in their honor.

Joe B. became Head coach of the Eskasoni Eagles Senior Men’s hockey team. They won many championships over a period of more than 20 years, and had an incredible run of 10 straight Maritime Indian Hockey Championships. His love for hockey would remain with him throughout his life, and we are all certain that; although he didn’t always mention it, but he was in fact a diehard Toronto Maple Leafs fan.

His best friend in Membertou, the Late Wallace Bernard would inspire him to have many conversations about the tremendous potential in hockey among Mi’kmaw youth. What resulted is the formation of the Wallace Bernard Indian Youth Hockey Invitational which he and Wallace co-founded in 1974. The “Wally’s” still run today and have provided opportunities for thousands of Mi’kmaw youth over the years. Joe B. was extremely proud that it is currently hosted in the community of Membertou. Both Bernard and Joe B were inducted into the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Sport Hall of Fame.

If you ask anyone about Joe B., the first thing that comes to mind is Mi’kmaw Treaty Rights. It was his passion for our Treaty rights that would result in the founding of the Union of Nova Scotia Indians (Mi’kmaq). His life -long best friends, the Late Alexander Denny, Late Gregory Johnson, and Late Noel Doucette shared with him the same vision of forming the Union which is still thriving to this day.

Joe B. and the incredible work he did with the Union of Nova Scotia Mikmaq would inspire him to further his educational pursuits entering Dalhousie University Law School in 1990 and Graduated in 1993. What followed was an incredible experience Articling at the Sydney Law Firm of Khattar and Khattar. Joe B also was an Associate Professor at CBU where he taught and inspired many students. His life long work would result in being bestowed many awards and honors. He was awarded the Order of Nova Scotia, and the Order of Canada. Joe B. considered himself to have scored a hat trick in life; that is running and completing the Halifax Marathon, co-writing of the book, Secular Ulnapskuk and acting in the movie series Mi’kmaq. However, what touched his heart the most, and he absolutely was honored to be selected as the 2013 ABMHS Role Model of the Year. He realized that the students chose him for this prestigious award and he treasured that the most.

He loved his 20 Grandchildren and 29 Great Grandchildren dearly and tried to spend as much time as he could with them.

Later in life Joe B. found an incredible lady and partner in Viola Robinson of Acadia First Nation in Yarmouth, NS, and they married in Kjipuktuk in 2016. It was in Yarmouth that they shared a wonderful life together with Viola’s family and her Children, Chief Deborah (Dave), Melanie (Jeff), Catherine (Lloyd) and Murray (Cindy) Frank (Deceased) and Rose (Deceased) along with 17 Grandchildren and 16 Great Grandchildren. They travelled to many places such as the Mediterranean and Cruised the Greek Islands, Alaska, and cruising through the Panama canal, along with several other places.

Joe B. loved family, and his Robinson family touched him immensely. A special Wela’liek must be mentioned to Jeff and Melanie Purdy for providing such wonderful care to our Grandad throughout his illness.

Joe B. fought many courageous battles throughout his lifetime, but none more courageous than his battle with his final illness, for which he fought bravely until the end.

Visitation will take place on Tuesday, January 23rd at 7pm at 15 Hunter Lane, Eskasoni. A Funeral Mass will take place at 10:30am on Thursday, Jan. 25 at Holy Family Church in Eskasoni with interment to follow in the parish cemetery. A livestream of the service can be accessed by visiting www.twcurry.com.

He dedicated his life to the education and preservation of Mi’kmaw Language, Culture and Treaty Rights. If we can remember him with one ideology, that is the following:

Mawikwayk melkɨpukulti'k,

Tepkisitaik sioqieyk…

United we Stand Divided we Fall….