Ray "Skip" Sandman

Nov 02, 20220

Ray "Skip" Sandman

December 28, 1953 - October 30, 2022

Ray "Skip" Sandman, "Miskomiigwan" age 68 of Duluth, MN, began his journey to the spirit world on October 30, 2022, in Duluth, MN. Skip was a Fond du Lac Lake Superior of Ojibwe tribal elder. He was born December 28, 1953, in Toledo, Ohio, the son of Josephine Beargrease Sandman and Ray Sandman. Skip grew up on the Fond du Lac Reservation in the town of Brookston and attended Albrook High School. In the spring of 2022, Skip walked his first stage after earning his degree from Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College.

Skip enlisted in the U.S. Navy at 17 years old, where he served 2 tours of duty in Viet Nam as Petty Officer of the crash and salvage team on the USS Oriskany CVA 34. After his honorable discharge, Skip was employed as a Corrections Officer by Northeast Regional Correction Center for 25 years before retiring.

Skip was motivated by a dream to help others which lead to his political career running for the Duluth City Council at large and twice entering the race for the 8th Congressional district advocating for the protection of the water for the future generations. His most passionate work was using his gift as a spiritual advisor and traditional healer for over thirty years. He worked with Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Mash-ka Wisen treatment center and numerous other organizations and individuals from many communities that traveled to his home. He always opened his heart and home for people that needed healing and spiritual guidance. He was honored to help build the program at the Fond du Lac Cultural Center. His hope was to establish traditional healing for his community of Fond du Lac. He was able to create the foundation and his dream was for the work to continue. He respected the gift that he carried for the people that came to him for help and healing.

Skip and his lovely wife of 32 years, Babette, were foster parents for many years. They also adopted children in the traditional way.

Skip is survived by his wife, Babette; brother Jim; sisters Sandy, Doolie, and Darlene; children, Joe, Nathan, Daniel, Kristy, Govinda, Megan, Alicia, and Miranda; 14 grandchildren; one great grandchild; nephews and nieces, countless namesakes; and many spiritual relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Patricia; and four nephews.

Traditional Midewiwin funeral rites officiated by Anton Treuer will begin with the wake on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at 6 pm (dusk) at the Fond du Lac Head Start Gymnasium in Cloquet. We will feast, sing, and visit into the night. The funeral is at 10 am on Thursday, November 3, 2022. Burial will follow at Indian Hill Cemetery with the military honors.

Services

Traditional Wake

Wednesday, November 02, 2022

6:00 PM

Fond du Lac Head Start Gymnasium

33 University Road

Cloquet, MN

Traditional Service

Thursday, November 03, 2022

10:00 AM

Fond du Lac Head Start Gymnasium

33 University Road