STAN LAPIERRE

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STAN LAPIERRE

OGIMAW GIIZHIK-IBAN

On Saturday, October 18, 2025 our dear Anishinaabe partner, brother, father, grandfather, cousin and uncle Ogimaw Giizhik-iban, Stan LaPierre, began his journey to the west. A proud member of ma'iingan dodem, wolf clan, he was born on December 8, 1947, the son of Marie Genevieve Hayden and Walter Paulin LaPierre and later became the adopted son of Noozhe'ikwe-iban, Mary Roberts, from Roseau River. Born to a family with Cree, Ojibway, French and Métis ancestry Ogimaw Giizhik-iban spent his early years in Saskatchewan and came to Manitoba with his family at the age of 10 to live in the town of McAuley. Moving to Winnipeg as a young adult, he obtained his grade 12 accreditation and a welder's certificate through Red River Community College until obtaining his diploma in social work at New Careers. It was here that Ogimaw Giizhik-iban found his true life calling; working to build, nurture, and love Indigenous families, communities, and young people.

Among many jobs, Ogimaw Giizhik-iban worked as an advocate, justice worker, and traditional educator who inspired all he met by living and embodying a Midéwiwin spiritual life. He believed in the goodness of all, working tirelessly during his time as a Spiritual Care Coordinator in the Province of Manitoba correction system and then leading the Aboriginal Spiritual Care Department at the Manitoba Youth Centre. In every way, Ogimaw Giizhik-iban lived the role of a shkaabewis, a helper, through his ceremonial, educational, and advocacy work evidenced in the many sweat lodges he ran at Camp Manitou, his voice on the streets at gatherings and marches, and in his struggles to help so many of our relatives.

Ogimaw Giizhik-iban's most meaningful and lasting contributions though were through his commitment to family - and his deep everlasting love for his life partner, Biidwewe-binesiik, Denima Thelma Morrisseau. Together, the two of them mentored young people from the justice system and shared teachings of love while embodying and modeling principles of acceptance, inclusivity, and kindness for everyone around them. They carried a gwiiwizens, a little boy waterdrum, and worked in communities throughout Turtle Island - and most recently with Giganawenimaanaanig (We All Take Care of Them) MMIWG2S+ to support families searching for their loved ones in Winnipeg landfills.

Together, Biidwewe-binesiik and Ogimaw Giizhik-iban loved his five sisters: Marie, Ann, Elizabeth, Linda, and Irene (Tim); their three children: Shawn (Haily), Michelle (RB), and Diane; their four grandchildren: Dayton (Kristine), Salina (Gary), Mariah, and Tavien; and their two great-grandchildren Taliah and Harrison. Mourning the loss of his beautiful life are the members of the LaPierre family, the Morrisseau family, the Guiboche family, the Sinclair family, and more. To the many nieces and nephews of Ogimaw Giizhik-iban - and others he met - he was simply "Uncle Stan", a loving mentor, friend, and gift-giver who always had time to visit, laugh, and listen during so many visits in his big white truck.

Ogimaw Giizhik-iban will be missed deeply by his Midéwiwin Lodge Family, and his family would like to give special thanks to the wonderful care and support offered by Kirby Nelson, Jason and Anna Parenteau, and everyone in the Minweyweywigaan lodge at Roseau River for their support and leadership in helping Ogimaw Giizhik-iban begin his journey. Miigwech also to the Ma Ma Wi Chi Itata Center for hosting the honouring luncheon and to Monkman Funeral Services and the Aboriginal Funeral Chapel for hosting his final feast on October 21. In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family asks that donations be made in honour of Ogimaw Giizhik-iban to the MMIWG2S+ Healing and Empowerment Endowment Fund at the Winnipeg Foundation.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 25, 2025