James Warren Northrup Jr.

James Warren Northrup Jr.

Born: Wed., Apr. 28, 1943

Died: Mon., Aug. 1, 2016

Visitation

7:00 PM Thu., Aug. 04, 2016

Location: Sawyer Community Center

Traditional Native Service

10:00 AM Fri., Aug. 05, 2016

Location: Sawyer Community Center

Chibinesi James W. Northrup Jr., 73, of Cloquet, began his journey into the spirit world, at home, on August 1, 2016. He was born in Cloquet on April 28, 1943 to James Warren "Bope" Northrup Sr. and Alice Marie Shabaish. He was a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and had received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters degree from Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College.

Jim was an author, poet, playwright, birch bark basket maker, maple sap and wild rice harvester. Chibinesi was the author of numerous books and for 25 years wrote a monthly column syndicated in the News From Indian Country and the Circle. His work has been widely cited and frequently anthologized. He was also a freelance writer and motivational speaker who was invited to visit many schools, universities, and veteran's gatherings throughout the United States and the world.

Jim's family was very important to him and he was proud to be a U.S. Marine Corps Ogichida. He joined the USMC in 1961. In 1962, he was on a ship near Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crises. He was also a combat veteran of the Viet Nam War, serving there in 1965 and 1966.

He was a caring husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, great-uncle and friend. The autobiography he often shared was: "I was born on the Rez, live on the Rez, will probably die on the Rez. T'was a lot that happened in between but it was just details. And from those details I make my stories."

Those welcoming Chibinesi to the spirit world are his parents and siblings, Doris Smith, Nancy Kregg, Jeff Northrup, Judy LaFave, Herbert Northrup and Rod Northrup.

Those he leaves behind to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 38 years, Pat; sons, Jimmy (Lisa) Northrup III, Matthew (Jackie) Northrup, Joseph (Sara) Northrup, Calvin Dow, Anthony (Elaine) Dow and Aaron (Shawna) Northrup; daughters, Lorna Dow and Heather Brink; brothers, Vern Northrup, Russ (Deb) Northrup, Warren Northrup, Rick Gresczy and USMC brother Ted Charles; sisters, Jean DuFault, Susie (Ringo) Smith, Juanita Fineday, Dawn Northrup and Ruth Northrup and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Chibinesi also leaves behind many students, fellow writers, artists and friends who will continue to be inspired by the Anishinaabe language and culture he spent his lifetime teaching and sharing.

A wake for Chibinesi will begin at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 4 and continue until the 10:00 a.m. traditional service Friday, August 5, all being held in the Sawyer Community Center. Lee Obizaan Staples will lead the Aanjikiing, and Anishinaabe Traditional funeral. Those laying Chibinesi to rest are Rick Gresczyk, Charles "Tuna" Nahgahnub, Kevin Dupuis, Keith Secola, Robert Barney Jr. and Joe Rodaks. Honorary pallbearers are Mark Charles, Ted Charles, Ray Early, Zak Early, Tom Whitebird, Larry Anderson, Darryl Blacketter, Butch Martineau, Bruce Blacketter, Dale Roy, Terry Lightfeather Sr., Tom Rodaks, Tim Rodaks, Jim Rodaks, Glen Goodthunder, Lydia Conito, Jeff Sittingbear, Virgil Sohn, and Michelle Lee. Interment will be in the Sawyer Cemetery, following his service Friday.

Chibinesi's care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker. Online condolences for the family may be left at http://www.northernpeace.com