Obituary of David Allen Cheese

David Cheese, Ojibwe, of the Michipicoten First Nation, at 73 years of age, began his journey to the spirit realm on the night of Monday, October 28^th. 

David was living in London, Ontario.   Dave’s spirit name is NeebiniGeezis, of the Baapaasay clan (red headed woodpecker) and was 3^rd Degree Midewiwin, of the Three Fires Midewiwin Lodge.  Dave worked for the spirit and Anishinaabe for many years as Chief Firekeeper, Sweatlodge Conductor, Was in the Head Oshkawbaywis line, and a Midewiwin Teacher, with his foundation as the Midewiwin community at St Charles, Ontario.  Dave’s Midewiwin teachers were Jim Dumont, and Edna Manitowabi who Dave also knew as his mom.  He was also known to Shane, Sylvia and Simeon Smith as a caring stepfather.

Dave supported the rights of Anishinaabe to their identity and Indigenous culture through his work as a counsellor to the many Anishinaabe who made their way to Newbury House, at Sudbury, the only Indigenous halfway house in Ontario.  Dave traveled across Canada after leaving Sudbury Ontario and made his home at the Delaware Nation of Moraviantown, Edmonton Alberta, Regina Saskatchewan, and London Ontario, always creating an extended family everywhere he went, using his humor, kindness and belief in the strength of Anishinaabe culture.    His Midewiwin and SOAHAC family will miss him dearly, especially his sense of humor.

The people of Deshkan Ziibiing (Chippewas of the Thames) welcome NeebiniGeezis to their home territory to be his final resting place.

A Midewiwin funeral and celebration of Daves life will be held at the Three Fires Lodge, located at 9489 West Ipperwash Rd, Kettle Point First Nation, Canada on Thursday evening, Oct 31, 2024.  Dave will be returned to our mother the earth on Friday, Nov 1^st, 2024 at Colborne Cemetery, Chippewa of the Thames First Nation, at 10:00 AM.

Arrangements entrusted to Elliott-Madill Funeral Home Ltd. www.elliottmadill.com