A loving husband, father, grandfather, son, uncle and friend, he will be greatly missed by his family and Anishinaabe country.
He was born in Eltrut Lake, Ontario, Canada, November 6, 1959, the son of John Sr. and Nancy Jones.
Dan married Gail Allen on February 14, 1984 and they celebrated thirty-five years of marriage before his passing.
He was a graduate from Bemidji State University and went on to teach Ojibwe language, culture and spirituality for thirty-three years, starting at Rainy River Community College, and then the Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College. As a long-time resident of Cloquet, MN, he became a highly respected carrier of the Ojibwe language and culture locally and throughout Anishinaabe country.
He taught at various other collegiate sites including, UMD, College of St. Scholastica, UWS, Seven Generations Education Institute, and Harvard University.
He was a dedicated family man, lodge member, professor of Ojibwe language and culture, man of the lakes and woods, and a dear friend to multitudes of Anishinaabeg across the continent.
He was a cornerstone of his close-knit family and his favorite pastime was spending time with his family. He loved sharing his language and cultural practices with everyone, especially his children, grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Whether he take them out fishing, getting firewood, trapping, golfing, going to the movies, playing volleyball or cheering on his favorite team, the Vikings, Dan was a man his family could count on to be there. He loved his family and community dearly and will be missed by so many. He was an inspiration to many through being a long-time AA member, mentoring and guiding so many language learners and teaching Ojibwe language and culture. He wanted to share all he knew with whomever wanted to learn. He was generous with his time and his knowledge. He has left a hole in the hearts of many, but in his own words, “I am not gone, I’m just changing addresses”
Dan is survived by his beloved wife, Gail; children and grandchildren, Jason (Lana) – Julia; Travis (KC) – Devon, Jalen, Torren, Brayden, Piper; Carmen – Leland, Avery; and Shawna - Zoe; ogiin (his mother) Ogimaagwanebiik; sisters, Becky (Lance) Kingbird and Sue (Stacey) Boshey; brothers, Don Jones and Dennis Jones (Laura); mother-in-law, Rose Marie Allen; brothers-in-law, Randy Harvey, Ron, Stewart (Melanie), Gary, and Duane; sisters-in-law, Karen (Ken), Linda (Ken) and Judy (Elton).
He is preceded in death by his father, John Sr.; sister, Shirley; brother, Brian, and brother, John Jr. Tidlo.
A wake service will begin at 6:30 PM, Friday, January 19, 2018 with funeral services to begin at 10:00 AM, Saturday, January 20, 2018. All services will be held at the Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation Community Center (Red Gut, Ontario) in the Midewiwin custom with Waagosh Anton Treuer and Waawaakeyaash Keller Paap officiating.
Online condolences may be made in care of www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com
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