Ralph John Kent

Ralph John Kent

 Mashkoda Bizhikais (Little Buffalo)

1948 -2018

It is with profound sadness, the family announces the sudden and unexpected passing of Ralph John Kent at his home in the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation on Monday, October 8, 2018.

Left to mourn his passing and cherish his memory is wife Glenda Smith; children Tina (Ricky), Derrick (Melanie), Dana, Evan, Donann (Lydell), Osowsh (Michelle), Micheal, Ginew, Kishikaw (Serena), Gaza and his 14 precious grandchildren Sevey, Kiana, Darian, Corbin, Brody, Atreese, Nakoda, Washta, Gaboh, Pinasie, Kylin, Keegan, Ryleigh, Jayce and honorary granddaughter Bootsy.

Also, left to mourn his sisters Christina (Norman), Hazel and Donna; brothers Daryl (Sharon), John (Shirley), Tim (Martha), Kelly, adopted brother Ernest Desjarlais; and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews – many with whom he had a close and special relationship. In addition, he leaves to mourn his mother-in-law Mina Smith and her family.

Ralph was predeceased by his parents John and Gladys Kent, sister Cecilia Prince, brothers Clarence and David Kent; granddaughter Gabrielle; and father-in-law Lawrence (Happy) Smith.

Mashkode Bizhikais was a well-known and respected spiritual elder acknowledged by many individuals across Turtle Island. He gave much of his time, heart and commitment to following the Anishinabe Way of Life and helping many people in their healing and understanding this wonderful life. Ralph was a passionate advocate for his community by serving as a BON councillor and sat on various community committees and later in life as an elder advisor. Ralph stood strong in his beliefs when advocating for others and issues that were of importance to him. Ralph valued his special relationship with Mother Earth and he lived off the land by hunting, fishing, trapping, gardening and medicine gathering.

Active pallbearers will be his sons Osowsh, Kishikaw, Ginew, Michael, Derrick and nephew Chris Kent. Honorary pallbearers will be Lydell Letandre, George Hempler, Ernest Desjarlais, Sweetpea Starr, Vernon Chief, Alex Chief and Warren Morrisseau. The family would like to recognize and honor his ceremonial and pow-wow partners Paul Guimond, Eric Courchene, Billy-Jo Greene, the Bighetty Family from Pukitawagan, Kathy Chief, Annie Chand from Australia and the many other individuals who shared this way of life with him.

Traditional Anishinabe wake will be held Friday, October 12 and Saturday, October 13 starting 3:00 p.m. Friday. Traditional funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 14, 2018. All services will be held at the PTCMH (new hall) in Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, Scanterbury, Manitoba. Please respect the family’s wishes of no one attending under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

We know Mashkode Bizhikais will always be with us as we walk forward on our life journey

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ralph John Kent, please visit our floral store.