Robert Kelly June 30, 1943 - October 26, 2021

Robert Kelly (Nawagaabo) – Na’me Dotem

June 30, 1943 – October 26, 2021

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Robert Christopher Kelly (Nawagaabo) – Na’me Dodem (Sturgeon clan).  Robert was a member of Migisi Sahgaigan (Eagle Lake First Nation) and was born on June 30, 1943 in his home community of Eagle River, ON.  He began his journey to the spirit world on the evening of Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at his home with family present.  Robert was 78.  He was a well-respected member of the Anishinaabe community that achieved a great deal in his humble ways, whose life and work was dedicated to teaching the traditional ways and walking the good road.  As a young boy, he was always drawn to the Elders and Medicine People, and when Robert found the Red Road, he realized why he had built his knowledge over his early years.  Robert loved to dance – being a talented Traditional dancer, as well as a square & ballroom dancer. He was a member of the Eagle Lake Jiggers, played the fiddle, guitar and singing, both Traditional and contemporary.  He loved playing bingo and being out in nature, studying the stars and learning about the healing plants, birds and their calls, especially as a member of the Dryden Area Naturalist Group with Edwine Walmsley, Angie Massey and other group members.

He naturally contributed to his community, conducting ceremonies, teaching by story-telling, the language and the drum, guiding those who came to him and answering the call when it came.  He was a key influence in the development of the sweatlodge location and its improvements in Migisi Sahgaigan, supported by Mitchell Lands as his Shkaabe.  Robert was a cultural and spiritual advisor, especially to Mitchell Lands and Lisa Perreault and shared the walk down the Red Road with Joey Wabonge, Marlene Landon, Margaret Wabonge, Bernadette Wabange, Biitawaybinse (Storm) Walmsley and his brother Richard Kelly.  Along with other Elders in Migisi Sahgaigan, he was very instrumental in the creation of the Maanachi Totaa-Aki Declaration (The Great Earth Law).  He contributed to the building of the Roundhouse with the help of dedicated colleagues.  After the culture camp in Migisi Sahgaigan was initiated, he was committed to ensuring the camp sustained a strong influence for the youth and other members of the community.  After guiding on the lake for many years, Robert worked in the community as the Traditional Mental Health Worker up until his retirement.  He was the Spiritual Advisor and Elder for the annual Migisi Sahgaigan Powwows, contributed to the annual Wellness Week in the community and faithfully smudged with the youth every Monday morning, giving them teachings at the Migisi Sahgaigan School.  He was also the cultural teacher for the students from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) as well as a member of the ‘Save Farabout Peninsula’ Coalition for over ten years.  Robert was also one of the walkers to walk across Canada to raise awareness of the ‘Journey for Wellness’ (Aboriginal Health and Family Violence) in 1995 with Chief Arnold Gardner, Florence Gardner, Marlon Gardner, Angela Lands, Sharon MacIntyre, Bill Constant and Billy Blacksmith, which were the seeds to the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy in Ontario and numerous other dedicated walks throughout Canada.  He was the spiritual advisor on that walk and provided physio-therapy to the other walkers.

Robert was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Robert’s parents were Mary Jane (George) and Patrick Kelly.  He is survived by his children, Bobby and Jason Meawasige, Karen and Jonathan Tom, as well as his grandchildren; Christopher Tom (Trista), Calum Cheesequay-Tom, Amber Sinclair, Storm Matinet, Tristan Councillor, Brittany Jabic and brothers, Jim, Joseph, Richard and David Kelly.  He also leaves behind great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, uncles and aunts, and numerous other relatives in Migisi Sahgaigan, Minaki, Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation & Grassy Narrows to remember him.  Waiting to meet Robert in the spirit world are his Mother and Father, Mary Jane and Patrick Kelly; his wife, Mary Jane Tom, his son, Russell, who was very dear to him, and sisters, Louise, Victoria and Catherine Kelly, as well as his sons’ mother, Doris Meawasige.

His final resting place is at the Migisi Sahgaigan Cemetery, with Gilbert Smith as the officiant, as requested by Nawagaabo.  Pallbearers were Marshall Kelly, Alex Calvert, Calum Cheesequay-Tom, Christopher Tom, Miles, Pitchenese, Lloyd Napish, Patrick Kavanaugh, Marlon Gardner, Gary Smith and Clayton Cameron.

We remember Robert’s favorite sayings,

“We are all spiritual beings having a human experience“

“A picture is worth a thousand words, but experience is worth a thousand pictures”