John Robert Young

John Robert Young 
AKA Mah Kah Tay (Black Catfish)
AKA Nih Chi Kih Mikisi Ah Chak (Dark Eagle Spirit)
AKA Wa Pish Kih Mikisi Ah Chak (White Eagle Spirit)

It is with profound sadness and deep love that the family of John Robert Young, aged 61 years of Bloodvein, announces the starting of his journey to the Spirit World, on May 19, 2026, at 5:55 am, following a lengthy battle with cancer, at the Selkirk Regional Health Centre.

At 5:55 am I got up to use the washroom and said good morning and kissed him. He was still breathing with a light snoring sound.

I said to him, I will get some fresh air in here and open the window and the blinds a bit. I laid back down and was trying to fall asleep again.

The nurse tapped on my shoulder at 6:15am and said, I am letting you know John is no longer breathing, and it must have been recent as he is still warm.

There was no struggle for his last breath as he went silently listening to the singing birds in the early morning.

7 years and all the experiences together are flooding my mind.

These past 16 months being by his side as he battled Cancer, showed how courageous he really was.

He loved watching the youth we worked with find their true identity through their Spirit Names and attending Cultures.

We had tobacco and cloth ready to make tobacco ties. We had put the ties in the sacred fire which has been lit in the morning shortly after his passing. The sacred fire is burning at the Sundance Grounds in Libau, which he cherished for such a beautiful life as a Sundancer and the teachings he received.

John's final wishes are to be cremated right away, but we are waiting till his siblings, and his two children have a chance to see him today or tomorrow before Eternal Grace takes care of his wishes.

He stated he did not want wakes or funeral service. He wanted a Celebration of Life service type at Eternal Grace. He asked his cousin Cara Widrick to officiate the service and let the Creator plan it as meant to be.

Drumming and Ceremonial songs will be included during the Celebration of Life.

This will be an annual gathering to continue getting people back out on the land, where the spirits heal and feel at most peace.

Spirit names he has received over the years were Black Catfish, Dark Eagle Spirit and most recently White Eagle Spirit.

John played volleyball in his younger days and was a deadly spiker. He was a hunter and enjoyed providing food off the land he loved. He was an amazing sundancer and took much pride in his teachings of the traditional ways to the youth. One of his wishes is that these traditional teachings are continued and taught to the youth for the many future generations.

Prayers for his children and 8 grandchildren as well. They were always on his mind and his hope is they have good lives and follow his way eventually to learning Culture.

John in predeceased by his parents Charlie and Isabelle; sisters Margaret, Lizzy, Millie, Mary, and Alice; brothers Albert, Alexander (Loont), Leonard, and Arnold (NeeTee).

He leaves to cherish his memory his son John Young; his daughter Brittany; his grandchildren Ariel, Gage, Zander, John Jr. III, Lily, Ottavia, Benesi, Soraya, and Jeremiah; his sisters Lillian, Martina, Yvonne (Dennis), and Virginia; his brothers Frank (Ellen), Louis, and Danny. Finally, he leaves his loving partner of 7 years Ramona Ladouceur and her children Rudy, Quentyn, and Trevor; and numerous more grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

Pipe Ceremony to be held on Saturday May 23, 2026, at 10am at Eternal Grace Funerals (10-1111 Logan Ave. Winnipeg MB).

Celebration of Life to follow same day, from 11am – 2pm, also at Eternal Grace Funerals.

His final resting place will be at a later date up in Bloodvein River by Eagles Nest, where his family used to go and have gathering and hold a wiener roast in his honour.

I want to thank everyone for support for us during this time and in any ways you all supported us through monetary donations, doing favors, visits, calls, texts, accommodations, meals, supports in any other ways and for all the prayers...

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