Education champion Charles Shawanda passes into the Spirit World

June 27, 2016
Representative Directors of the Board of the Kinoomaadziwin Education Body are, left to right: Charles Shawanda, Whitefish River, Regional Education Council (REC) #3; Claire Onabigon, Long Lake #58 and Valerie Auger, Pays Plat, REC #1; Della Charles, Mississaugas of Scugog, REC #5; Vice-Chair Debbie Mayer, Mississauga #8, REC #2; and Muriel Sawyer, Nipissing, REC #4. Not available for the photo were Chair Lloyd Myke, Magnetawan, REC # 4; Secretary Julia Pegahmagabow, Atikmeksheng Anishinawbek, REC #2, and Candee Thomas, Munsee Delaware, REC #5.
Representative Directors of the Board of the Kinoomaadziwin Education Body are, left to right: Charles Shawanda, Whitefish River, Regional Education Council (REC) #3; Claire Onabigon, Long Lake #58 and Valerie Auger, Pays Plat, REC #1; Della Charles, Mississaugas of Scugog, REC #5; Vice-Chair Debbie Mayer, Mississauga #8, REC #2; and Muriel Sawyer, Nipissing, REC #4. Not available for the photo were Chair Lloyd Myke, Magnetawan, REC # 4; Secretary Julia Pegahmagabow, Atikmeksheng Anishinawbek, REC #2, and Candee Thomas, Munsee Delaware, REC #5.

UOI OFFICES (Nipissing FN) June 27, 2016 –  Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee, along with education colleagues expressed their condolences to the family and friends of Charles Shawanda who passed into the Spirit World suddenly on Sunday, June 26, 2016.

“Charles was a highly-intelligent man with a keen sense of humour,” said Grand Council Chief Madahbee.  “He was so proud of his children.  He was a long-time advocate for education, economic development and a big supporter of the Anishinabek Education System.   I played hockey with Charles, worked with him at the TD Bank.  He was currently the education director for Whitefish River First Nation and KEB board rep for Regional Education Council #3 on Manitoulin Island.  My condolences go out to his family, friends and community at this time.”

Lloyd Myke, Kinoomaadziwin Education Body Board of Directors Chair, offered his sympathies.

“On behalf of KEB board we would like to extend our deepest condolences to Charles’ family and community during this difficult time. Charles’ dedication and commitment to the AES was quite evident by his passion shown at our meetings. This will be sorely missed by us all. We will continue to move forward and know Charles will be with us every step of the way.  At our next meeting we will honour his dedication and commitment to this process, as well as his spirit journey. On behalf of KEB board, safe journey my friend…till we meet again,” added Myke.

Restoration of Jurisdiction director Dave Shawana expressed his sympathies as well and says that the Anishinabek Nation was privileged to have Charles as a KEB board member as well as an education working group member.

“Charles was one of the KEB’s most trusted champions for the Anishinabek Education System as well with his great work in supporting the negotiation of the Master Education Agreement between the Anishinabek Nation and the Province of Ontario,” said Shawana.