Clarence Nepinak, Anishinaabe elder who worked to preserve culture, dead at 73

Clarence Nepinak, an elder and knowledge keeper who dedicated his life to teaching people about Anishinaabe culture, has died. He was 73.

Clarence died on Wednesday evening in Winnipeg, following a months-long battle with bone and colon cancer. He was moved into palliative care last Friday, his wife, Barbara Nepinak, told CBC News.

The couple are well-known for their commitment to preserving and advancing Indigenous culture. In 2019, they were both inducted into the Order of Manitoba — the province's highest honour — for those efforts.

Clarence was also a member of Minegoziibe Anishinabe, also known as Pine Creek First Nation. 

Chief Derek Nepinak said Clarence's death is a huge loss for the community about 320 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, where the elder would still regularly return for teachings and ceremonies — even a couple of times over the last year, as his health deteriorated.

"It shows the depth of his commitment to the people and to the work that he did," said the chief, who is distantly related to the elder.

The chief said the elder's death comes on the heels of another loss in the family. Clarence and Barbara's daughter, Rebecca Nepinak, died suddenly on Oct. 4 at age 42.

"In the last chapter of her life she took on the traditional role of caring for our parents. We will always be indebted to her for her dedication to them, specifically our father," Rebecca's obituary says.

The Southern Chiefs' Organization — which represents 34 First Nations and more than 81,500 people in southern Manitoba, including Minegoziibe Anishinabe — posted on Facebook offering its condolences to Clarence's loved ones.

The post said the elder was "instrumental in the continued revitalization of our languages and culture" and spent most of his 25-year career "advocating and breathing life in to Ojibway ways."

The Minegoziibe Anishinabe chief said the Nepinaks were role models who "emulated the ways of the Anishinaabe people when it comes to the institution of family."

"They did a lot of important work celebrating our culture and giving young people an opportunity to find pride in who we are. And that's the legacy of his work," he said, adding Clarence was able to overcome being forced to attend residential school and find a way to thrive and celebrate his identity.

WATCH | Clarence and Barbara Nepinak share teachings:

The chief said Clarence's teachings at men's gatherings on Minegoziibe Anishinabe, where the elder spoke of practising gratitude and learning how to love, will stay with him for a lifetime.