Nishnaabeg Nation Mourns Elder
Herbert C. Nabigon
Mahngese, Mahng Dodem, Biitigong Nishnaabeg
July 16 1942 – March 9, 2016.
Herb Nabigon, a respected and loved elder of the Nishnaabeg Nation, passed away peacefully in his home on March 9, 2016, surrounded by those whom he cherished with his whole heart. Herb is survived by his wife Annie, his two children Alana (Bentley) and Clem (Natalie) and their mother, Sheila Nabigon-Howlett, his grandchildren Kadin, Aisha and Brandt, his step-daughters Rachel Brice and Kathy Wenger, his sister Dorothy Michano (Duncan), and brothers Don Nabigon (Sheila) and Ron Nabigon, and nieces and nephews. As a husband, father, mishoomis (grandfather), professor, mentor, friend, elder and world citizen, Herb’s life will continue through those who honor his spirit by living Minobimaadizin – the Good Life. We continue his legacy by serving community in many dimensions.
Herb grew up learning the life of trapping, working in the bush, and enjoying the close-knit community at Mobert First Nation. At the age of 20 a tragic accident changed the course of his life. He went on to have an academic career after gaining his MSW degree from Carlton University in 1977. In 1979 Herb embarked on a recovery journey from alcoholism to the Nishnaabeg healing traditions, where he found direction, purpose and Minobimaadiziwin – the Good Life. His book, The Hollow Tree: Fighting Addiction with Traditional Native Healing, (McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2006) tells his story and continues to inspire readers everywhere. He was working on the sequel to this book at the time of his passing. Herb traveled to Brazil, New Zealand, Argentina, Mexico, The United States, Ireland and Scotland carrying his teachings to gatherings at universities and community groups wherever he went.
As a professor of Social Work at Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON he worked to advocate for higher education and promoted the traditional Indigenous knowledge of the elders. He was a strong advocate for healing in all the Directions for all the people of the world. He exemplified the values of reciprocity and sharing, stressing the importance of relationships and building bridges. He was happy to retire to his home at Biigtigong Nishnaabeg (Formerly Pic River First Nation) in 2012. He served on the Board of the Wilson Memorial General Hospital, the Band Council of Biigtigong Nishnaabeg where he focused on reclamation of land, language and traditional governance.
Herb’s life will be celebrated on Sunday March 13, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. at the Community Hall in Biigtigong Nishnaabeg (Pic River First Nation). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wilson Memorial General Hospital in Marathon, ON (807-229-1740) for their palliative care program.
“I am mortal. You are mortal. Death is inevitable. The West door, that of the sacred buffalo, is the ancestor’s path home. Every effort we put into leading a decent life will speak on our behalf when we stand before the Great Spirit as our lives are reviewed” (Nabigon, 2006, p. 67).
