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In Memory of Dr. Tobasonakwut Kinew

January 7, 2013

The UWinnipeg community is deeply saddened by the loss of Dr. Tobasonakwut Kinew, who passed away on December 23, 2012. Dr. Kinew was a respected Anishinaabe leader and Elder, teacher, healer, honourary degree recipient, and founding member of the university's Indigenous Advisory Circle. 

A memorial service in Winnipeg was held on December 27^th, and the funeral took place on December 29^th in Onigaming, Ontario.

Dr. Kinew was known as a longstanding advocate for the protection and implementation of treaty rights and increasing Indigenous participation in higher education to improve socio-economic outcomes for First Nations people and communities. He was an instructor in UWinnipeg’s Indigenous Governance department and the Master's in Development Practice in Indigenous development program. Dr. Kinew's seminars at UWinnipeg challenged students from diverse backgrounds to study Indigenous ways of knowing and governance embedded in the Indigenous teachings he analyzed. With his son, Wab Kinew, he co-founded the "Let's Speak Ojibwe To Our Kids" program at the university's Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre.  

A residential school survivor, Dr. Kinew was a pipe carrier, a high-degree member of the Anishinaabe Mite'iwin, and a Sundancer of many years of both the Anishinaabe and Lakota traditions. He also held the roles of Chief and Councilor of the Ojibways of Onigaming, was a founding member of both the National Indian Brotherhood and the Assembly of First Nations, was Grand Chief of Treaty #3 (1973-76;1991-95), and first Ontario Regional Chief of the Chiefs of Ontario First Nations in the mid-1980s. In 2011, Dr. Kinew received an honourary doctorate for his outstanding accomplishments, The University of Winnipeg's 's highest honour.   

The Dr. Tobasonakwut Kinew Fund for the promotion of Indigenous Culture, History and Language was recently established at The University of Winnipeg with a personal donation of $5,000 by Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, UWinnipeg President and Vice-Chancellor, and his wife, Ms. Denise Ommanney, as well as a personal $5,000 donation by Wab Kinew, UWinnipeg’s Director of Indigenous Inclusion. The fund, which aims to support the strengthening of Indigenous programming for both the university and its surrounding neighbourhood, has recently received an additional donation from AMC Grand Chief Derek Nepinak.  

“Through his long and varied career, Tobasonakwut instilled respect for all Indigenous peoples and their unique ways of thinking and perceiving the world. He will be dearly missed, and this fund will allow us to honour his memory by investing in his legacy,” said Dr. Axworthy.

Further contributions are welcomed at The University of Winnipeg Foundation.

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