With heavy hearts the family of Richard Morrison (59) Giigwegiigaaboo, Wazhask doodem of Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation announces that he has started his journey in the spirit world on Tuesday, May 26, 2020. He was born in Fort Frances on June 24, 1960 to Bill and Helen Morrison.
Although Richard had a traumatic childhood having been a survivor of the Residential School, he overcame this hardship and chose to offer love, compassion and acceptance towards all walks of life, which was the foundation for all his teachings. He was a humble and generous man who dedicated his life to the red road. His ability to heal and help people came in many forms whether he used his amazing sense of humor, his wealth of knowledge, or just simply just being there to listen and smoke the pipe with. He truly saw the world in a very unique and beautiful way in which he would teach others how to see. He would love to speak about how Anishinaabemowin tells us how to understand the universe and how we fit into it.
He leaves behind his wife, his “Sweetie” Andrea Gonick; and his children, James Mainville (Brian), Bill Mainville (Kim), Tonilynn Mainville (Jason), and John Mainvillle (Agnieszka); his grandchildren all of whom he lovingly adored, Sheldon Jr., Makoonse, Deonna, Ryan, Ryal, Ben, Bessie, Paul, Nel, Ziigwan and Edward.
Richard also leaves to mourn, his siblings; Kelvin Morrison, Ernie Morrison (Diane), Dennis Morrison, Marilyn Morrison, Darlene Curci, Larry Morrison (Amanda), Ken Morrison, Dwayne Morrison (Olivia), and Jennifer Morrison; his aunt, Nancy Jones and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He also leaves behind many adopted family members, that are too numerous to mentation individually, he cared about and felt honoured to love as his own.
Richard was predeceased by his parents Bill and Helen Morrison, sister Lucille Morrison and grandson Hayden Mainville-Tuesday and his niece Danielle Morrison.
As per Richard’s wishes, he will be cremated followed by a pipe ceremony with immediate family.
Our dad taught us that ‘death is a celebration of life and it is not meant to be mourned and that we will meet again as there are no goodbyes in our culture’. Thank you, dad, for all the good memories you given us as they will keeps us happy till we can make new ones again.
The greatest way to honour Richard Morrison is to live the teachings he left us and use the power he gave us, his love and friendship, to help each other.
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