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Terrance James Skead
November 16, 1955 – March 26, 2024
Ozhaawashkochiiwebiitang
Mizhakiiwaasang
Anwiiyaabikobines
Atik doodem
Makwa mide
Wauzhushk Onigum ndoonjiba
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and son Terry Skead on March 26, 2024 after a brief, serious illness.
Terry was born on his grandfather’s trapline at Highwind Lake Road on November 16, 1955. He received spiritual names by both maternal and paternal great-grandparents, and later in life from his brother Vernon.
He is predeceased by grandparents William (Bill) Skead and Julia Skead (Bluebird); Great Uncle Clifford Skead, Uncles Douglas Skead Sr., Lawrence Skead Sr., and Aunt Bella Skead Sr.; Father Samuel Copenace Sr., brothers Ricky Skead and Samuel Copenace Jr., sister Elizabeth Copenace, and cousins Genevieve Perrault and Lawrence Skead Jr.
Terry leaves to mourn his wife of 40 years Anita – who never left his side during his illness, his mother Ida Skead, his daughters Amy (Blair) and Helena (Shish) their children Kayden, Kylie (Aaron), Kyran, Erin, Ashley, sons Ronnie Henry and Jeric & his daughter Beau. His siblings Jennifer – Joven (Amy G) Cole, Carson, Jeremy (Lila), Daniel, Korbin, Laella, Melissa, and Sophie; Vernon (Lillian) – Garrett Sr. (Patti), Darius, Garrett, and Hendrix, Tamara (Sean), and Jeddy; Mingo (Rhonda), Cody, Zayd, Kingston, Cory, Allesen (Roman), Maachee’aangek, Maang, and Logen; Zoba, Hiliary, Kias (Caitlyn), Arona, Gerald, Ricki Rose, Allister, Donavan (Courtney); Ricky’s daughter Amber (Ryan); Chris (Penny) Quincy, Magnus, Brianna (RJ), and Charli Rose. Siblings Charles Copenace (Anita C), Donald Copenace (Ida C), Peggy Hunt, and Reggie Copenace.
Numerous family members of the Hunter and Brown families of Manitou Rapids; the Archie and Tuesday families of Big Grassy, the Kelly’s of Onigaming, the Paul and Nash families of Animakee Wa Zhing, the Cobiness’s of Buffalo Point, the Josephs of Whitefish Bay, and cousin Emma Geyer of St. Paul, Minnesota. Powwow friends of Sagkeeng, Phil and Margaret, Neil and Darlene, Earl and Christine, Malcolm French, Ponemah friends and the late Murphy Thomas, and drum groups Brown Eagle, Whitefish Bay, and Anisha.
Terry accomplished numerous achievements within Wauzhushk Onigum and the Treaty #3 area and loved working with the WON Education team and school boards KCDSB and KPDSB. He enjoyed drumming with students and the “Pinesse” Youth Drumming Group, helping teach Anishinaabemowin to classes, organizing and working the WON Annual Fall Harvest. Terry enjoyed dancing in powwows as a men’s traditional dancer in Treaty #3 and throughout Turtle Island. He was a drumkeeper for “Ogichitaa” as a singer and mentor.
He organized the annual community powwows and gatherings, and was a caretaker of the Arbor, Roundhouse, and Youth & Elder Building at Powwow Island. Terry organized the Elder’s Group for Wauzhushk and hosted boat tours for elders and community visitors on Lake of the Woods. He was fluent in Anishinaabemowin and our culture & traditions as a knowledge keeper, sweat lodge keeper, and being involved in Mide ceremonies. Terry was a hunter, outdoorsman, trapper, wild rice harvester, teacher for regalia making, belts & bustles, ice fishing, and was athletic in slo-pitch, fast ball, and hockey. Terry is a Residential School Survivor and attended Beaver Brae Secondary School in his youth.
The family would like to express gratitude to Lake of the Woods District Hospital, Health Science Centre in Winnipeg, Kenora Chiefs Advisory, Grand Council Treaty #3, AKRC, AAFS Kenora Team, Shona and Earl Wapioke, Wendy Kuczma and WON Education, WON Foundation, WON O&M, the Fox ladies, friends and family of Wauzhushk Onigum. The family would like to acknowledge the Brown Eagle Singers, Whitefish Bay Singers, Anisha, and the Fred Mitchell Band & C-Weed Band members. Especially his best friends & mentors Clarence White, Howard Copenace, Fred Morrison, Jerry Morrison, Oliver Marks, and the Ogichitaa singers Kamala, Shish, Terry Parisien and brother Chris.
Terry was so full of life and had a great sense of humour with wit; he was so helpful and was a humble, talented mentor. He was a loving uncle to numerous nieces and nephews. Terry loved his grandchildren and attended any sports or schooling event he could – their favourite quote: “Who’s number one?” “Papa!”. He was known for his huge appetite and loved to eat at every family special event. He loved to jig with his mom, Ida, and was well known for his unique style of jigging. Terry was an electrician, carpenter, plumber, a true handyman and jack-of-all-trades. He helped to build the Arbor, Youth & Elder cabins, and building, and he was the caretaker of the Roundhouse. Terry is well-loved by his family, community, and across Treaty #3 and we will all miss his humour, kindness, knowledge, and strength.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society in Terry’s name.
The wake will be held at the Golden Eagle Bingo Hall in Wauzhushk Onigum on Friday, March 29, 2024 starting at 3:00pm. The traditional ceremony will be on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at 11:00 am with a burial to follow at Powwow Island beside his grandfather Bill and brother Ricky. Traditional elder Gilbert Smith will be conducting the ceremony, and the Shoal Lake Singers will be present.
Pallbearers will be his nephews Garrett Skead, Jeremy Skead, Joven Skead, Cory Skead, Logen Skead, and Donavan Skead, with honorary pallbearers Terry Parisien and Jeff “Gupper” Skead.
Each warrior tells a story
Of the victories in his life
Battles he has fought
Lessons learned
He tells of the life of his Ancestors.
The story of his people
And their struggles
The story of the Wisdom Held by Elders
And the attaining of this through
The years in their life
He tells of the strength
His People hold
In their hearts, In their spirits, In their traditions
The power of a person
Can be seen in the dancing of each fighting warrior.