Ada Nora "Nakwe Kiishigok" Morrison (nee Crow)

Ada Nora Morrison (nee Crow) "Nakwe kiishigok"

Our Nanny, Ada Nora Morrison (nee Crow) “Nakwe kiishigok”, 88 years, of Kenora died peacefully at Birchwood Terrace on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 surrounded by loving family.

She is survived by her only child, Joseph (Mary Alice) and her siblings Josephine Prince of Winnipeg, Pete Crow, George Crow, Roy Crow, Allan Crow, Theresa Giroux, Betty Ann Crow, Lulubelle Kabestra and John Namaypoke and their respective families all of Naotkamegwanning First Nation.

Nanny had a firm but loving hand in the raising of her grandchildren Karen (Tim) Cowley of Naotkemagwanning; Ava (Mike) McKay of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug; Carla (John) Mandamin of Wabaseemoong; Beverly Williamson; Jason Williamson (Vanessa Skead); Jesse (Angie) Fiddler, Sioux Lookout; Willow Fiddler (Mario Blasizzo), Thunder Bay ; and Danielle Morrison (Tim O’Connor) of Ottawa and her grand nephew/adopted son David Crow (Danika Tom) all of Kenora and grand-niece Eleanor Crow of Winnipeg; Nanny was also a proud great-grandmother to Rebecca Fair (Wes), Ryan Fair (Pauline), Nathan Fair (Rosetta), Lori (Dean), Joshua, Karlina (Damien) and Bryce Tom; Josephine, Leila, Desirae, Kisha, and L.J. Paypompee; Marcus and Ketura McArthur; Tianna, Jenna, Zoey, and Kelcie Williamson; Karlee and Jakson Crow; Avery Fiddler and Shawna, Mya and Keenan Fiddler, and 19 great-great grandchildren, as well as her many cherished nieces, nephews and relatives, numerous other young people who lived with Ada and Don over the years also affectionately call her Nanny. Ada will also be missed by her long-time friends Kitty Everson, Dorothy McLay, Dorothy Pietila, Madeline Skead, Eva Bluebird, Ruth Henry and Nancy Morrison to name a few.

Nakwe-kiishigok was predeceased by her husband of 48 years Donald Morrison, her parents Albert Crow and Shooniiyaa-komegok, her brothers David , Joe Victor and William Crow; sisters Alberta and Mary Elders; nieces Diane Crow, Roberta Elders; sisters-in-law Mavis Copenace and Dorothy McCue.

Born at Savanne River, Ontario, Ada was raised by her grand-parents at Naongashing (Big Island) on Lake of the Woods.

She attended Cecilia Jaffrey Residential School for eight years, starting when she was 6 years old, learning to speak English, to sew, knit and pursue Christian studies. In 1941 Ada married her childhood sweetheart Don Morrison. While Don served in Europe during WW II, Ada kept the home fire going, caring for their only son Joseph and her brothers and sisters. Nanny encouraged all of her family to pursue a mainstream education and respect their own traditions. She supported the cultural revival of the Anishinaabeg in Treaty#3, attending pow-wows with the Lake of the Woods drum, creating the finest regalia for her grandchildren. She was active with Kenora Anishinaabe-kweg Native Women’s Association, Anamiewigummig Fellowship Centre Board of Directors and the Palliative Care program at Lake of the Woods District Hospital. Over the years, she worked for a number of social agencies in Kenora and retired in 1986 as a Native Courtworker with Neechee Friendship Centre.

In 1987, she worked tirelessly making her famous fried bannock at pow-wows to help raise funds for a special Indian Veterans trip to Europe, which she was proud to be included in. During her retirement, Ada was surrounded by her family and friends, often enjoying bingo or crib while she resided at Birchwood Terrace where she was supported by caring staff and her loving roommate Johanna Mulders.

A Wake will begin Saturday, November 12 at 6 pm at the Ukrainian Hall, 509 4th St. N., and a Service at 1 pm Sunday at the Hall, officiated by Rev. Henry Hildebrandt.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons; Marcus McArthur, Ryan & Nathan Fair, Kisha Paypompee, Jakson Crow, Joshua Tom and “adopted” sons Dave Skead & Steve Fisher.

Honourary pallbearers will be her friends; Dorothy McLay, Catherine “Kitty” Everson, Madeline Skead, Nancy Morrison, Eva Bluebird & Johanna Mulders.

Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com.

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