Obituary of Rose Alvina Michano

Michano, Rose Alvina – Zhaangwesh (Mink), Maang doodem (Loon Clan) March 26, 1949 – November 4, 2020. With our hearts filled with love, gratefulness and hope, our family announces that our most precious Rose Alvina began her journey to the spirit world on November 4, 2020. She was brought into this world by the hands and love of 3 midwives out on the traditional territory of the Biigtigong Nishnaabeg. Her Nishnaabe name Zhaangwesh was given to her by her grandfather Moses Fisher (Grandmother Angeline Michano). She was the eldest daughter of Ruby and Camille Nabigon, who instilled strong family and community values. She shared amazing relationships with her siblings, Edward (Darlene), Wilfred (Kathleen), Imelda (Gunther), Delphine (Gaetan), Dorothy, Stanley (Alice), Darcy, Chris (Susan), and Adele. Alvina cherished her one and only love, Arnold Michano, whom she married on May 6, 1967. She was the most treasured mother to JoAnne (JP), Samuel, Marla (deceased), Glenda (Paul) and Arlene (deceased). Her grandchildren, David, Jordan, Tristan Vollett and Camille, were the greatest source of love and the best parts of her life. Her great-grandchildren, Taea, Sawyer, Aubree, Frances, and Archer filled her spirit and life with such meaning and purpose. She adored the mothers of her great-grandchildren, Kelly and Nat, and the father of her grandsons (Douglas) and held them close to her heart. Alvina fostered close relationships with her nieces and nephews and unconditionally expressed her love. She treasured the friendships in her life and felt very gifted to be blessed with so many amazing friends. Alvina nurtured these relationships and never took them for granted. She touched the lives of so many with her love, compassion, kindness, laughter, resilience, and strength. She shared blessings and continuously gave from her heart. Alvina worked for almost 40 years in the finance department with Biigtigong. She also played a pivotal role in the healing and recovery of the community, as a member of the initial social services team. Alvina understood the impacts of the loss of our culture and language, both from an individual perspective and as a collective. She was part of the team that reconstructed our dialect of Nishnaabemwin and continued to support the initiatives to revitalize our language and ultimately create speakers. Alvina saw the language work as one of her greatest responsibilities and was extremely proud to help leave this gift for our future generations. She was also an active member of the Aadsookaanan (sacred stories) Reconstruction Team – she dreamed that our stories would once again become one of the vessels in ensuring our Nishnaabe values and ways of being were at the source of our existence. She loved Biigtigong. She loved our Nishnaabe world. Alvina continuously gave of her time and heart, to make our world a better place for our children. Alvina’s journey to the spirit world is being guided by an ancient Nishnaabe death ceremony referred to as jiibyi-shkode (ancestor fire), conducted by her cherished friend Bonnie Goodchild, at 40 Pic River Road. A pipe ceremony and the sharing of our teachings will occur at 6:00 p.m. daily and the fire will close on Sunday. A celebration of life will occur at the Biigtigong Community Hall on November 9, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Friends and family will be able to participate in this celebration by joining us virtually; a link will be provided via picriver.com and Facebook. (Arrangements entrusted to Kerry Funeral Home Ltd. Wawa, Ontario 705-856-7340) www.kerryfuneralhome.ca