Melvin Michell

In Loving Memory of

Shining Star Man

Melvin Gerald Michell

November 19, 1970

October 27, 2023

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                 It is with broken hearts we announce the sudden loss of our beloved son, dad, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, and friend.

                 Melvin leaves his children to cherish his memory: Allison Hastings, Ali Bird, Aiden Batzil, Shakina Shirt, Creesun Wilson, Ranen Merasty, Orlando Colomb, Keagan Harvey Freedom Beardy, and adopted daughter Dayzah Abraham.

Melvin had great love for all his children and often spoke of them with pride, in conversations with Mel he would mention on how he would include them in his daily prayers.

Melvin also leaves his brothers to cherish his memory: Les Michell (Esther) their children Kessin, Cj, Kanses, Chantyn, Kenacie, Heather, and Sherise. Wesley Cook (Janet) their children Brendan, Messi, Demarie, and Ron. Darcy Laliberte (Davien) their children, Dylan, Ayva, Ameron, Dani. Barry Laliberte. His aunties (maternal side), Gladys Richards, Karen Cook, Valrie Cook, Leona Cook, and Uncle Chris Cook, paternal side. Aunties, Suzzette Merasty, (Ralph), Adelaide ,Charlie Michell (Irene), as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and relatives.

Melvin was predeceased by his father Joseph Michell (Brochet MB) when Melvin was just an infant. He is also predeceased by his biological mother Helen Laliberte (Cook) and his grandparents Victoria Cook, Fred Cook, Philip, and Margaret Michell; Sister/Cousins Claudette and Barbra Michell; niece Melissa Michell; along with numerous relatives.

In his youthful years, Melvin played hockey and baseball for the Town of The Pas. Melvin worked for the homeless in The Pas, respite work for the youth, Black Sturgeon Health Director, where his writing skills were utilized, Barrens Land First Nation Program Coordinator. He recently attended college in Edmonton, Alberta working on Business Administration.

Auntie Adelaide Michell raised Melvin in The Pas, MB where he attended school. Melvin ventured out to Winnipeg, MB in his teenage years to be with his brothers Les and Wes.

Melvin enjoyed to MC at different gatherings such as pow-wows and round dances. Melvin loved to give back to the community coordinating beading classes and part-taking in well-briety groups. He volunteered in the community by serving the homeless bannock (Kookum Victoria’s recipe) and soup. Melvin had a kinship with the homeless. He enjoyed the land, spending time with elders, baking, and cooking. His favorite meals were caribou and fish. He enjoyed cooking for his granny Victoria (traditional foods). Melivin was a proud member of the Cree Nation, while living in Brochet, MB he got to meet dad’s side of the family and travel along Reindeer Lake to Lac Brochet to meet more family, he would tell us how beautiful the land was.

Melvin first started dancing pow-wow in 1995, following his brother Lesley’s footsteps. Melvin looked up to his brother Les as a mentor. Melvin became a natural traditional dancer. He loved dancing wherever he went, and because of his stoic Indigenous features Melvin did modeling for artists. His passion was beading mainly medallions and earrings that can be seen and worn across Turtle Island. Melvin loved spending time with family, he enjoyed watching hockey and cheering for his nephew Chantyn whom he was so proud of and always gave advice to. Edmonton Oilers was his favorite team a very devoted fan. His happiest time was watching his brother Les’s family compete at pow-wows, especially his nephew CJ. Melvin loved a variety of music, White Fish Jrs. being one of his favorite drum groups. Melvin made life-long friends where ever he traveled and acknowledged his relatives, he would never greet you without a hug. It was hard to keep up with Melvin as he liked to venture off. Regardless of where his travels took him his heart was always with his home community, Brochet MB. We are so grateful to have shared this life with Melvin. We are truly grateful for his friends who gave him guidance along the way. We love you all Hiy-hiy.

The family would like to thank OCN Chief and Council, Mike Jebb Jr., Hemauer Funeral Home, OCN Government Services and all the people who have reached out. Please forgive us if we have forgotten any names for it is not intentional.

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Melvin’s great, great grandfather, Doctor Josiah Young, practiced traditional medicine alongside western medical physicians. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Opaskwayak Education Services Otineka Mall, Hwy 10 North, Opaskwayak, MB R0B 2J0 to establish a bursary for health professional students studying the intersectionality of traditional and western medicine in a healthcare discipline.

Celebration of Life

Thursday, November 2, 2023

Friday, November 3,  2023

Veteran’s Hall, Opaskwayak, MB

Funeral Service

Saturday, November 4, 2023    1:00 pm

Veteran’s Hall, Opaskwayak, MB

Presiders: Morris Whiskeyjack and Les Michell

MUSIC

North Buffalo Singers

and Russell Cook

Memorial Singers

INTERMENT

St. Michael and All Angels Cemetery, Opaskwayak, MB

FEAST

Veteran’s Hall,

Opaskwayak, MB

Active Pallbearers

CJ Michell, Kessin Michell, Aidan Batzil,

Creesun Wilson,

Brendan Cook,

Tye Michell,

Morris Shirt, Isiah Mason.

Honorary Pallbearers

Phyllis McLeod

(adopted mother),

John R. Thompson (adopted dad), His pow-wow family and ceremonial family