Julia Lynn Skead

August 10, 1956 – May 31, 2024

The family of Lynn Skead, Waapikamigook, name dodem (member of the sturgeon clan), is heartbroken to announce the peaceful passing of Lynn, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, niece, friend and Anishinaabe healer. Lynn, Miitiiyoonce as she was known, passed away at her home, surrounded by loved ones, on Friday, May 31st, 2024 at 3:00am. She was the adored wife of Lucien Aubin for 28 years, the cherished mother of Natalie (Mat), Tyler, Grey Wolf, Joe (Mande) and Kinew (Marion). Lynn was the proud grandmother of Tyson Cameron, Braeden Skead, Damon Cameron, Jesse Kavanaugh, Brooklyn Kavanaugh, Damon Cameron, Lukas Cameron, Liam Cameron, Gweneth Cameron, Riann Cameron, Tamika Skead, Ashton Skead, Kemper Skead, Harmony Skead, and River Bear Skead. She is lovingly remembered by her siblings, Gail (Fred Morrison) Eleanor (Bert Landon), Douglas Jr., Calvin (Lisa), Gary, Cindy (Harold Piche), Nick (Rhonda Erickson), Tanis (Larry Morrison), Sherry Moreau, Dave Lucas (Danielle) and Melanie Goodchild (Sly Archambault). Her Aunt Ida Skead survives her. Lynn is also survived by her cousin Ramona Esquega and her sons Thomas and Joseph.

Lynn was predeceased by her loving parents Doug and Madeline Skead (nee Cantin) and her older brother Solomon Rae. She was predeceased by her paternal grandparents Bill and Julia Skead, Uncle Lawrence and Aunt Bella, and cousins Terry and Rick from Wauzhushk Onigum. She was also predeceased by her maternal grandparents Peter and Agnes Cantin and Uncles Birdie, Roy, Ruben (Agnes), and Peter.

Lynn attended St. Mary’s Indian Residential School from 1956 to 1972 and she shared her experiences and story as part of her healing journey, so that her children and grandchildren understood more deeply what she endured as a survivor. She had hopes that by understanding her life’s journey her children and grandchildren would have Anishinaabe mino bimaadiziiwin (a good life).

In her earlier years Lynn was an accomplished and fierce athlete, she was a track and field star who brought home many ribbons. At the rink, she was a smooth, agile and quick skater and could stick handle around anyone, and it did not matter the size of a player she would throw in a hit every now and then. On the baseball field, she was a quick short-stop. In spite of her harsh experiences at residential school, Lynn joined the rest of her Skead family in embracing their ancestral Anishinaabe ways, which included the powwow trail where she made many friends. She was proud to dance in traditional buckskin regalia. Recently she and her husband Luch could be found at their food trailer serving up delicious bannock burgers.

In her younger days, she would pick up her guitar and sing anytime, until the wee hours of the morning! In her older years, she would often listen to music on her earphones and belt out Bon Jovi songs. Her rich voice won her an award for her solo performance at the festival of arts. She was much more than that though! On Saturday nights she could be found cheering on her beloved Habs (Montreal Canadiens) hockey team. Lynn was always up for a good story, going on a trip, dipping her toes in the ocean or spending time with horses.

Lynn has many relatives and friends across Turtle Island, from New Brunswick to Arizona, she was a fluent speaker of Anishinaabemowin and a much sought after healer by Anishinaabe and non-Indigenous peoples. She loved her time spent in the sweat lodge and roundhouse. Lynn had a special place in her heart for her dogs and although she lost her sight later in life, she saw so many things with gratitude and a fierce determination to live life to the fullest. The song she so many times shared with others in the lodge was about “looking for life.” She is making her journey to the spirit world now; she is on her journey to spirit island, Manitou Minis, where she will be greeted with love and open arms by all her relatives that have gone on before her.

A traditional wake is taking place on Monday, June 3, 2024 beginning at 1:00pm at Golden Eagle Bingo Hall in Wauzhushk Onigum. The traditional burial ceremony will begin at 11:00am on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 led by her cousin and Elder Albert Hunter from Rainy River First Nation and the Whitefish Bay Singers that will be rendering the ceremonial songs. Lynn will be taken to her final resting place in Wauzhushk Onigum by horse and carriage, as per her final wishes.

Pallbearers are Jeff Rasmussen, Gary Skead, Nick Skead, Calvin Skead, Liam Cameron, Zack Skead, Tyson Cameron, Damon Cameron, Chief Chris Skead, Damien Skead-Kavanaugh, Ashton Cameron, Will Landon and Jaelyn Landon. Honorary pallbearers are Louis Kinew Cameron, Billy Bouche and Sly Archambault.

We would like to thank Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Centre for their assistance with burial services.