Respected elder and teacher Ona Kingbird passed away on January 19th, 2010. She was surrounded with family and friends at the time of her passing.
Ona was a respected teacher of Ojibwe language & culture for many years in various Minnesota schools, primarily working with Native youth through her many years at Heart of the Earth Survival School. She always loved working with young people and referred to all of her students as “my kids”.
Visitation will be held at the Mpls. American Indian Center located on 1530 E. Franklin Ave. The wake will begin on Thursday, January 21st at 3pm and will continue until Friday, January 22nd at 8am. She will then be transported back to the Red Lake Reservation village of Ponemah. Wake and burial services will continue at the Ponemah Community Center with funeral services being held on Sunday, January 24th, 2010.