“Chief” Esther Pitchenese “Niigaanaashiik” “Saabekwe”
In loving memory of a life that will never be forgotten and with deep sorrow and heavy hearts we sadly share the passing of Esther Pitchenese, our mother, sister, auntie, kokum, kobitay, cousin and friend. With immense sadness we lay to rest a powerful, strong and dedicated woman who walked the spiritual way of life in every facet of her being, family, home, and career.
Esther is survived by her son Tyson Gardner, daughter Jacqueline “Jackson” Pitchenese (Todd) her grandson Jordan “the Dude” Grand-daughters Jasmine Doudiet (Jared), Justice Bruyere and Shannon Gardner, great granddaughters Kaliyah Gardner and Cherelle Bruyere and great grandson Isaac Anderson, and adopted son Bruce Mendowagon, all of whom made Esther’s existence full of love and filled her life with enormous pride and joy.
Siblings, Joe Pitchenese (Pat), Jim Brown, Yvonne Pitchenese, Louie Pitchenese (Stephanie), and adopted siblings, Barb, Sophie, Elizabeth, Dorothy Keeash, and Ron Frenette. Esther has one surviving Auntie Louise Bertrand (Zenon)” Aunty Chich” who she held dear to her heart.
Nieces and Nephews, Shayne Pitchenese (Lana), Frankie “Otis” Pitchenese, Candace Esquega (Daniel), Conan Pitchenese, Deborah McLeod, Jessica Shabaquay, Nicholas Pitchenese, Donovan Pitchenese, and Joshua Pitchenese.
Her great nieces and nephews, Cody Pitchenese, Montana Pitchenese, Riley Currier, Shantelle Pitchenese, Tanisha Currier, Carli Pitchenese, Caleb Esquega, Jamison Esquega, Jerome Norris, Morales Pitchenese, Nizhoni Pitchenese, Cameron Norris, Brody Pitchenese, Lenah Brown, Danica Esquega, Liam Pitchenese, Ember Pitchenese, and Lexi Pitchenese and Jackson Pitchenese-Parenteau.
Cousins, Martha Howatt(Mike), Sarah McArthur(Brian), Linda, Maryann Chow(John), Donna Coneybeare, Debbie Broek(Andre), Lana Kooshet, Lisa Kooshet, Eddie Esquega, Bobby Necan, Nita Bronkski, Don McLeod(Hiroko), Jeff Watts, Georgina McLeod, Leslie Watts, Francis Watts, Maryanne Watts, Brian Desmoulin, Vernon Skead, Mingo Skead, Freda Brown, Ruby Eisen, Dorothy Eisen, Bella “Zoba” Skead, Chris Skead, Shirley Brown, and Laura Gaus.
Her special best friends Debbie Leckner, Sharon Shabaquay, Harriet Shabaquay, Diane Munn, Eleanor Skead, Liz Danielson, Sandra Lemery “Bush Indian” and the Chief girls, Donna, Sheila, and Danine. and “All the golden girls” And her ex-partner/friend Robert Gardner.
Esther was predeceased by her parents, Paul and May nee Watts, Pitchenese, her brothers Paul Watts, Albert Pitchenese, William” Billy” Pitchenese and her sisters Mary Rose “Joquay” Pitchenese and Anita “Bout” Pitchenese. And her best buddy, Elsie “Shooma” Chief. Her husband Grant Anderson and her adopted son Kenneth Sutherland.
Esther had an illustrious career in politics as 10 terms as Chief (20 years) and as Council 3 terms (6 years) at Waabigonii Zaaga’igan being the youngest Chief elected at 25 years old. Esther was a formidable leader and when she voiced her opinion and stance nobody dared to oppose her. Esther sat on many Boards of Directorships like Grand Council Treaty 3, Bimose Tribal Council, Anishnaabee Abinoojii Family Services, Paawidigong First Nations Forum, and Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project. Esther also was Family Services Worker with Ojibway Tribal Family Services (OTFS) for 25 years showing her love for all children in the community. Esther was one of 6 that graduates from the medical interpreter program SLAAMB and Esther worked at Meno Ya Win Hospital in Sioux Lookout where she provided compassionate holistic support that nurtured healing that led to people requesting her at hospital bedsides for many. Esther also worked as head cook parching wild rice at Kagiwiosa Manomin that ventured into sales all the way to Spain and Germany. Esther also received her degree as Funeral Director from Stratford Career Institute. Esther became a staunch supporter at local wakes and funerals in surrounding communities, emotionally, spiritually, and physically, where she was seen cooking in kitchens far and wide. Esther was a committed volunteer; her major devotion was head “sous” cook at the WLON powwows for 38 years and she was one of the creators of “Yuk Yuk”. Esther also volunteered at Migisi Treatment Center, WLON Woman’s Group, and WLON Elders Interpretive Group translating whatever she could from English to her beloved Ojibway language. Esther was also an esteemed Commissioner of Oaths another title she held.
Esther loved her cultural and traditional life that she shared with others by hunting with Shooma then later Donna Chief and Violet and Jeffery Skye. Gathering medicines with Raphael Moses and Debbie Leckner even to smelling like a skunk endorsing the “skunk” capsule as a way of utilizing traditional medicines. Every year you can find Esther harvesting and processing her wild rice with her mom, sister and then with her children and special buddy, Reagan Breeze to pass on that heritage. Esther attended the sweat lodges, “Cheeskee“shaking tents, healing circles, talking ceremonies, drumming ceremonies to name a few. Esther’s passionate dedication for anything traditional and cultural led her to live her life as traditionally as possible. Esther talked the talk but she also “walked the walk” Esther with her namesake Saabekwe initiated a special ceremony for Saabe when tracks were found locally. Esther’s commitment and dedication to her traditional culture as a leader led her community of Waabigonii Zaaga’igan into repatriation of Traditional protocols and ceremonies. Esther also supported John and Joanne Colfield and Camp of the Woods team and set up bible study in the community.
One of Esther’s highlights was her trip to Paris and England with the Chief girls, she saw the Eiffel Tower that her dad stood and initialled during WWII, In England as she was an avid fan of the “Royals” she saw Buckingham Palace, the changing of the guards, Princess Diana’s memorial, and the walk down Abbey Road. Esther’s favorite show was Coronation Street, and she would rush home not to miss an episode. Or her cheesy Hallmark Christmas Channel with the children. Another trip that was on her list was to Montreal as she went to the Montreal President’s Cup.
Esther loved her sports as she played every position well for the original Wabigoon Bravettes, but she excelled as a back catcher. Esther played for the Dinorwic Dodgers too. Esther had the moves as a goalie for the Wabigoon Bravettes woman’s hockey team in the early ‘80s. Esther supported the Eagle Lake Chiefs hockey team and the Ice Dogs, and she attended many games yelling her heart out in the stands. Esther loved the Toronto Blue Jays, and her TV was tuned to that and the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey games. Esther was an enthusiastic Survivor fan; her favorite was Kyle. Esther was gung-ho for the winter and summer Olympics, even being late for work as she did not want to miss certain events especially seeing Canada take the gold. Just like she was with community events.
Esther’s family would like to thank Dryden Regional Hospital and Thunder Bay Cancer Care for their outstanding care for her during her courageous battle with cancer. Honorable mention to Elva “Velda” Reid for palliative care. Special thanks to Candace and Debbie for the awesome meals during her last few days. The drummers Norman and Harvey Jordan, Roy Napish Jr., Storm Walmsley, Stye Quequish, Theo Favell who sung for Esther. The WLON Chief and Council tremendous support at Esther’s time of need. Pall bearers, Ron Williams, James Gardner, Ben Hackl, Daniel Currier, Reagan Breeze, Marlon or Robbie Gardner. Special thanks to Elder Ralph Johnson for honouring Esther’s celebration of life, and her special relationship with the owners of the Dryden Community Funeral Home. Miigwetch, to all who helped in anyway.
Leave a Condolence