Peacefully Completed her Earth’s journey on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at her home in Batchewana First Nation.
She is now reunited with her loving parents, Patrick and Cecile (nee Naponse) Wabegijig, her dear brothers Patrick, Marvin, Arnold, Garry, Russell and Douglas. She will be dearly missed by her best friend and husband, Rolland Nadjiwon. She was a most beloved sister of Sandra Bluesky Wabegijig, sister-in-law of Rick Cywink and special cousin and best friend of Gail Shawbonquit (Wabegijig), Linda Petahtagoose (Naponse), Vivian Naponse, and Sharon Wabegijig. She will be lovingly remembered by her children Trevor, Stephen (Sandra), Kevin and Teala. She was most cherished grandmother of Antonio baa, Olycia Quintanilla, Chandra Nolan, Reanne Penno, Sage, Anuin, and Wahonay Nadjiwon, Theresa Baa, Troy Nootchtai, Cassandra and Jordon Shawanda. Most beloved great-grandmother of Anevay, Azalia, Ogichidaa, Tyson Baa, Samantha, Thomas, Colton and Anthony. She was a cherished aunt to many nieces and nephews and will be missed by Bridget and Sherry Wabegijig, Arnold, Fred and Vera Wabegijig and Cecelia Wabegijig and her children Dillon and Alex. She will be lovingly remembered by her large extended Wabegijig and Naponse families from Atikmeksheng Anishnabek and Wikwemikong Unceded Territory.
Carol cherished spending time with her large family and many friends across Turtle Island. Throughout her professional career, she was involved early on in the Friendship Centre Movement with the Nickle Belt Indian Centre, she worked for the YWCA in community development, Treaty 9, Union of Ontario Indians, Garden River First Nation, Batchewana First Nation, Algoma University, University of Arizona, Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians, North Shore Tribal Council, First Nation Technical Institute and was involved with the Centre for Indian Scholars (University of Vancouver) and Indian Ecumenical Conference for many decades. She had fond memories of the Keewatinung Institute and Primo Lake Youth Workshop. Her passion was for research and education on our Treaty and Inherent Rights and really enjoyed sharing her wealth of knowledge with the People through her Circle of Learning sessions held at the Dan Pine Healing Lodge in her retirement years.
Carol was a trailblazer in advocating for our collective social betterment and believed in our Self Determination and Sovereignty to overcome the effects of colonialism and restore our families and communities. She believed in the Creator’s Love and had so much compassion for our People which she demonstrated through her lifelong journey – her many seeds have been planted and continue to inspire many of us for years to come.
Carol will be brought to rest at the Garden River First Nation Community Centre on Wednesday July 5, 2023 at noon. Friends and family are invited to celebrate her Earth Walk. Deacon Lana Grawbarger will provide a welcome service at 3:00 pm. Gerard Sagassige will conduct a Pipe Ceremony at 7:00 pm on Wednesday and Thursday evening, with a Blanket Ceremony and closing of the casket. Her final ceremony and send off will begin at 11:00 am on Friday July 7, 2023 with Deacon Lana Grawbarger and Gerard Sagassige. Cremation will take place and private family memorial ceremonies will be held at a later date. Everyone is invited to celebrate with a Feast immediately following.
Chi-miigwetch to all who have given love and support – from her children.
“We are all visitors to this time, this place.
We are just passing through.
Our purpose here is to observe,
to learn, to grow, to love... and then
we return home.”