Elder Mike Pinay. Photo courtesy Facebook
There was a solemn pipe ceremony on Peepeekisis First Nation Tuesday morning, as members of the community marked the passing of Elder Mike Pinay.
He is remembered in many ways, including his travels to discover and pass on his people’s ceremonial ways through sweat lodges and other cultural practices.
Peepeekisis Deputy Chief Alan Bird said they took time at a culture camp this week to honour Pinay.
“It was a sad morning, it was tough as we sat there in that circle and shared. But we honoured him and we prayed for him, and we prayed for his family,” he said.
Bird said even as Pinay’s health worsened, he was still pitching in and saying people need to carry on with the summer’s cultural events.
Pinay was a rancher, welder and lifelong powwow announcer.
His friend and fellow powwow announcer Howie Thomson was able to visit with Pinay before his passing last night. Thomson has a solemn request.
“I wanna say if anybody’s out there running a powwow, wanna know if anybody’s out there running a powwow from here until we lay him to rest, to fly the flags at half mast,” he said.
Thomson said that people will want to come to a standstill during powwow season, but that’s not what Pinay would want.
“Mike would say, ‘I’m okay, go do what you have to do.’ That’s what he would probably say to his kids and his friends,” he said.
“Mike would probably want things for others. He forgot about his sickness when he ran his lodge. He didn’t really forget about it, he put it aside because other people are seeking that life too.”
Pinay may have taken his culture seriously, but he kept a strong sense of humor as well as he traveled countless kilometres on the powwow trail, Thomson said.
Thomson said Pinay was his mentor, and has likely mentored every up and coming powwow announcer in the province.
Condolences are pouring in online. Many are remembering Pinay for his love of double doubles from Tim Hortons, but also the lessons he taught countless young people throughout his life.