Winifred L. LaPrairie

Winifred L. LaPrairie

March 12, 1953 - February 24, 2023

Winnie Lorayne LaPrairie passed away peacefully, Friday, February 24, 2023 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis with her family by her side. She was born March 12th, 1953, in Cloquet, MN to George and Theresa LaPrairie, she was the 4th of 7 children. She was the first in her family to graduate high school. In 1973 she married Mushkooub. She went to school for carpentry and worked as a Journeyman. Winnie was a founding member of, and pivotal, in obtaining charter status of the Minisinaakwaang Leadership Academy. She attended FDLTCC and went on to pursue an elementary education degree at UMD. She also has a BA Indian Studies from BSU. She was supportive in the initiative of Indigenous Treaty rights and protecting the harvesting of Indigenous foods. She supported and advocated alongside her husband in legislative and Federal Treaty endeavors.

Winnie was meticulous in her sewing, beading, cooking, preparing and planting. She taught individuals her special skill of traditional and old moccasin making given to her from elders when she was first reunited with Mushkooub. She was part of the Rice Lake village '1 Ton club' and once harvested over 600 lbs of manoomin in one day. She also harvested a moose with only 1 shot. She walked on fire in Hawaii. Winnie lived by her Native beliefs and followed those teachings in giving to others in many ways unconditionally. In times of loss, she would be the one to step up and fulfill the role of properly 'sending them off'.

Winnie was a drum member and 2nd degree Mide, an expert in Indian education and a founder of Indian education in East Lake. She was a gifted Indigenous Artist, mentor to many young Native artists, champion ricer with her husband, Ojibwe language teacher for little ones, and a kind and beautiful woman loved by many. She loved each and every one of us so deeply.

Those who are greeting her in the spirit world Waynaaboozhoo and Sky Woman; parents, George and Theresa LaPrairie; beloved husband, Mushkooub; brothers, George, Bruce, and Michael; and sisters, Elizabeth and Millie; niece, Waubunoquay; uncles, Rollin, Chick, Roger Smith Sr., Bill Muck, Rupert, and Lawrence; aunties, Bernice, Valerie, Audrey, Winifred, Rosie, Lady, Caroline and Mary; daughters-in-law, Amanda Kegg-Aubid and Jana Martineau.

She is survived by her children, Daniel (Christy) Opitchee, Iyaabance (Madonna) Biisaa (Jamie) Christian (Kate), Kateri, Ashla (Mike), Zhaawendaagozikwe (Mark) and Lenore Potter; siblings, Ron (Bonnie), Dawn, Bob, Shirley, Earth, Cynthia, Peggy; grandkids, Danny, Tehya, Emily, Maddie, Caitie, Shea, Keenan, Egiwaateshkaang, Miigwanensag, Isaiah, Blaze, Sophia, Alex, Celeste, Zayzah, Benson, Gendreau, Leni, and baby boy Aubid, Ovaughn, Olivia, Ozzy, Naazhe, Giniw, Avianna, James, Niigaanii ; 6 great-grandkids; brothers and sisters in law, Niib (Candi) Aubid, Tania Rae Aubid, Dawn Aubid, Raina Killspotted, Ira Aubid, and Azhibik (Rachel) Aubid; countless nieces, nephews and cousins; her fur baby, Zhooniyaas.

Traditional Wake will begin at dusk on Monday, February 27, 2023, at the Brookston Community Center, 8200 Belich St., Cloquet, MN. Traditional Services will begin 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2023 also at the Brookston Community Center. Interment will be at New Holy Family Cemetery.

Wake

Brookston Community Center

Monday, February 27, 2023

8200 Belich Road

Cloquet, Minnesota

Traditional Service

Brookston Community Center

Tuesday, February 28, 2023

10:00 AM

8200 Belich Road

Cloquet, Minnesota