Stephen Kejick
(Mizhakiianankwat)
July 6, 1945 – March 6, 2023
Our beloved Father, Shoomis, Great Grandfather, Brother, Uncle and Friend Stephen Kejick (Mizhakiianakwat) peacefully passed away with his family by his side on March 6, 2023 at the age of 77 years.
Stephen will be lovingly remembered by his children Garland (Sherri), Chris, Eveleen (George) and Conway (Isabel). He will also be remembered by his baby sister Marilyn and siblings Kathleen and Alex Sr., as well as his brothers Wayne, Gordon, Ronnie, Donny, Marvin and sisters Laura and Nancy. He will be dearly missed by his grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren and numerous relatives and friends too numerous to mention.
Stephen was predeceased by his loving wife of 50 years Alice Elizabeth Kejick. His son Earl Jonathan Kejick, his mother Margaret Letander and father Jim Letander. His grandfather private David Kejick and grandchildren Greg Skead and Melissa Kejick.
Stephen was a knowledge keeper. His last occupation was a cultural advisor/facilitator at Gaage Kiizhik School in Kenora, Ontario. He harvested traditional medicine and gifted it to people in need. Stephen also made sacred items like Regalias, Pipes and Drums. He was involved in a documentary called “Rites of Passage” and a video called “Embrace Love”. Both videos you can find on Youtube.
Stephen and his wife Alice had made a support group called “Mishoomis and Nookoomis Group” for elders everywhere who supported each other. They both made a treatment centre called “Okanuagigayen” (Breath of life) for solvent abuse on the outskirts of Wabaseemoong Independent Nation. Stephen was a board member at Lake of the Woods District Hospital. He completed 2 terms as Chief and 4 terms as Council at Iskatewizaagegan # 39. While he was Chief, he had the road paved from the reserve line all the way to the landing. He also started the Garden Islands project for the people of Iskatewizaagegan # 39.
Stephen put together the first pow-wows and created a legacy of pow-wows that still last every year in the month of August. Stephen also constructed a sacred round house in the 80’s that still stands strong by his home here in Iskatewizaagegan # 39 today, it is still being used for ceremonies and whoever needs comfort or support. Before Stephen passed away he was in the midst of making “Dibaajimowin” (Tell people) a project with Treaty # 3. Stephen had many life skills and occupations during his life here on earth, he earned his AZ licence and was a semi-truck driver. He was a commercial fisherman and a fishing guide at Machins. Stephen was also a mechanic, carpenter, electrician and a plumber, a man of many trades. He was a gardener at Waugh, he also worked at the aqua-duct and water line for the water treatment plant. Stephen had earned his pulp scaler certificate and created a logging company called “SK Enterprises”.
Stephen always took his family out on the lake for shore lunches, to the zoo, the Exhibition and wrestling where he met Andre the Giant. He loved watching baseball on TV, he even took the time to go on a trip to watch his favourite team play, the Blue Jays. Stephen loved making ‘Tik Tok’ videos on social media of the things he loved. He had an unconditional love for his grandchildren and was a family man.
Stephen believed in human rights for the Anishinaabe People. He loved helping anyone and always tried his best to keep things fair until the very end.
A wake service will be held Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at 11:00 am at Shoal Lake # 39 First Nation Community Centre. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 10:00 am at Shoal Lake # 39 First Nation Community Centre.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com for the Kejick (MizhaKiianaKwat) family.
