Ernest William Jameson

‘Kezhabosh’

Atik Dodem

March 8, 1980 – January 16, 2024

Quietly and peacefully, Ernest began his spirit journey with his mother nearby. His last Facebook post said, "what will be will be".

Ernest chose Sandy McDonald Jameson and Fred Jameson as his parents for his Earth walk and entered the world on a cold March 8, 1980 in Binese-wiikwedog, Thunder Bay, Ontario. He received his Anishnaabe name Kezhabosh in a traditional naming ceremony, the first of many ceremonies he shared with his parents through his Earth walk.

Ernest was predeceased by many family members -his father Fred Jameson, paternal Grandmother Mary-Ann Pah-toosh-Jameson, Maternal grandfather Ernest Mcdonald Sr., grandmother Frances Mcdonald , paternal Grandfather Albert Williams, Uncle Ernest (Bub) McDonald Jr., Robert Jameson Sr., Robin Cocks Jameson, aunts Flora Jameson, Doris Jameson, Aunt Rosemary (Teeny) McLean.

He is survived and loved by his mother Sandra McDonald Jameson, brothers Andrew (Gloria) Jameson, and his brothers and sisters: Elijah (Brittany) Jameson, Clinton Jameson, Peter (Vanessa) Munroe, John Munroe, Taras Brittain, Sisters Naomi (David) Moostoos, Joannie (Leon) Brittain, Anita Jameson and John Payash, his special brother from Grassy Narrows.

Ernest is also survived by his Aunts and Uncles - Roberta Jameson, Bonny Jameson, Jean ( Robert Stevens) Abram, Albert (Theresa) Jamieson, Benjamin Jameson, Patti McDonald, Karen Pushkar, Holly Monteith, Maureen Simmons, Marjory Boucheau, Bonnie (Norm) Bottemley, Jan (Larry) Catagas, Roy (Kathleen) Dahl.

Ernest was a beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews: Katrina, Mindy, Jathan, Savannah, Brandon, Maddon, Silas, Jade, Owen, Ariel, Dylan, Justin, Paisley, Tyrese, Keana, Kiara, Devaney, Benjamin, Mateo, Theodore, Peter Jr., Charlie, Grayson, Fred, Lynx, Michael, Ayla, Sakari, Rayden, Akeno, Kyle, Mason, Liam, Damon, Mike, Blaine, Cullan, Briana, Jerome, Lakiya, Darius. He never played favourites and always made sure everyone knew they were thought of and appreciated. Ernest became a great uncle to Ezra Timothy Victor Mandamin. His close cousins; Brian, Greg (deceased), Alex, Jeremy, Tiffany, John (predeceased), Samantha, and Caitlyn. He will also be missed by many cousins and other extended family members in Niisaachewan, Wabaseemoong, Eagle Lake, Red Rock, Medicine Hat, Red Rock Nipigon, Sault Ste. Marie, Toronto, Ear Falls, British Columbia, Thunder Bay, Nanaimo, Winnipeg and all across Canada.

Ernest was educated and graduated from Beaver Brae Secondary School in Kenora, Ontario always being interested in the human condition he studied social work and mental health, attaining his diploma with studies in Kenora and Thunder Bay. When he attended post secondary school, he would often walk 16 kms from Niisaachewan to the Lake of the Woods Campus, this was his commitment to himself to attain his goals.

Once Ernest entered the workforce he was a very insightful kind worker who easily was able to apply the grandfather teachings to see strength in families and individuals he worked with utilizing the medicine wheel to find strengths in the people he worked with. Ernest loved his tattoos and honoured his grandmother’s Lynx clan and tattooed Chief his nickname from friends he grew up with.

Friendships were very important to Ernest and he maintained many long-standing friendships from childhood work and activities These friends are now parents themselves and many have followed his example and achieved their education and career goals or are actively pursuing the same. Ernest was all about the youth of the community and would do his best to generate activities and events centered around them. Being a kid at heart himself he enjoyed purchasing fireworks to do displays to celebrate occasions or just to see the beautiful lights in the sky and the joy associated with displays.

Ernest was a giant of a man, who had compassion, understanding and kindness for all. He preferred to give rather than receive and found unique ways of celebrating his birthday which is International Women’s Day. He has gifted roses to the women at the Fellowship Centre on this day to honour all life givers as he was very close to his mother.

Ernest was a passionate hockey player and #12 was his number from the beginning of his hockey career, playing street hockey with Andrew. His favorite team growing up was the Toronto Maple Leafs his favorite player being Wendel Clark. When the Winnipeg Jets came back his loyalty shifted however Toronto always had his interest and passion. Ball hockey has become and will always be a staple of Niisaachewan Winter Carnival an awesome all ages all inclusive sport. As Ernest’s confidence built up he joined hockey player’s on ice, playing for the community in the NAFN Tournament of Champions- a dream come true. He and his brother re-established the community hockey team The Niisachewaan Storm picking up and including all youth and adults interested in playing no matter their skill level. He was an amazing NHL Draft player online and in gaming, so it was only natural he sought out and joined the Draft Hockey Tournament which became his family.

Ernest travelled all over North America played in over 50 draft games. Philanthropy is a passion Ernest had and he incorporated it into his hockey creating a project called" Project Light the Lamp". This raised funds for charities with goals, assists and hattricks. # 12 will never be forgotten as his team will continue to raise monies in his spirit and memory. Lighting the Lamp was one thing, however, there was no brighter light than his eyes as he shared details about his plays that resulted in goals, hat tricks with his ‘smooth’ moves on the ice.

Ernest was also passionate about wrestling mixed martial arts, UFC. Andrew and Ernest would have legendary matches often resulting in Mom getting a phone call about a cloud of dust with her boys rolling and grappling with each other. He would host people in his home for PPV events and eventually his path would take him to live events where Chief fit right in with the professional athletes of the WWE and UFC.

Ernest loved working for the people. He started his career volunteering for many community activities and events. Once his education was formalized, he became Prevention Worker, working his way to the position of Senior Family Worker mentioning many along the way who were always amazed inspired and grateful for his practical kind manner in addressing the challenge of child welfare. Through his work history, he was able to be part of the devolution of the agency and be a part of the development and establishment of the community’s childcare law. Guidance and education were key for him to help others understand the process which he was able to break down quite well to foster understanding, awareness and develop strong plans to support families.

Ernest ran for council and served 4 years. He also served as Band Manager and then went on to work at the Kenora Chiefs Advisory as a support worker at the jail before he once again returned to work in family services with a position at Kitabinojlminaanik as a youth worker in Grassy Narrows. He was delighted to take some Grassy youth to their first NHL Hockey Game and had many plans to inspire, lead, and mentor the youth in the community using culture, connection, and inclusion as his vision. Ernest had a complete work plan incorporating language culture and land-based teachings to share with the youth and Elders of Grassy Narrows.

Ernest enjoyed traveling and had amazing adventures with his mom, taking her to her first live NHL game, going to Disneyland and Disney World, Toronto, Canmore Alberta, Banff, Drumheller, and Los Angeles. Traveling on his own most recently to Hawaii. Also, Los Vegas, New York, Montreal, Boston, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Phoenix, Ireland, and so many other places throughout Canada, the States across the water.

He had season tickets for the Jets and would go to Manitoba Moose games, and even go watch the Blue Bombers play in Winnipeg.

Ernest always made time for everyone, in his house growing up and into adulthood was a safe space for all to come and join in on Video gaming, PPV, and Guitar Hero sessions, whatever was happening, you knew you could count on being included. He always invited people to join him on his adventures.

Concerts were a passion for him and he spent many happy hours in metal mosh pits he would travel to see nearly every big act to experience music live or comedians.

Ernest was proud to be on the committee for the NAFN Tournament of Champions. He loved the game and seeing so much talent assembled in one place for one purpose…..for the love of the game. He was so proud to be Captain of the Niisaachewan Storm. Ernest touched the lives of so many people throughout his life, if you knew him you knew he always meant no harm to anyone, and never said a bad word about anyone. He lived a clean lifestyle, choosing not to abuse tobacco, alcohol or drugs. He would joke about being "Coke Zero Wasted" with his peers who did drink. This meant a lot to him as he walked a path of life carrying, and practicing teachings given by his parents and elders. Ernest was a traditional dancer and was gifted his father’s regalia which he danced in sharing the gift with Andrew. Kezabosh loved to see the youth in the community join the circle in recent years, he proudly danced with community members who found their path to healing through tradition.

Ernest had many wonderful friendships throughout his Earth walk, many people who met him were amazed at how gentle, courteous, and mindful he was. He preferred to listen to conversations and when he participated would be thoughtful in his responses to any situation, he found himself.

Ernest is the oldest sibling of his family and each of his siblings had a very family close special bond with their brother, who would always make sure that they were doing well. He is grateful for the joy shared in becoming an uncle and made certain that each of his nieces and nephews had time with him when they were babies, children and young adults.

Ernest was diagnosed 15 years ago and given a limited time. He determined to make every moment count and did everything with intent, purpose, and meaning. It is said that we have a sunrise and a sunset in our Earth walk. It’s the time in between these dates and times that matters. His legacy will be the love he shared and gave freely. Do what you can with what time you have, keep your faith, be kind, and take care of yourself as best you can.

The family would like to thank Cancer Care Manitoba, Tania Cameron, Wpg Police Services, bnbair, his colleagues, Chief and Council of Niisaachewan, Cory and his team at Brown's Funeral Home, Langford Ogemah for all of your care and concern for our beloved Kezhabosh. Donations in Ernest’s memory can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.

A traditional wake service will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at 12:00 pm at Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation Economic of Excellence Auditorium, Dalles, Ontario. A funeral service be held on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 11:00 am at Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation Economic of Excellence Auditorium. Cremation and private interment will be held at a later date. Ernest will rest with his father down the river where memories and magic were experienced.

Pallbearers will be Leon Cobiness, Evan Fisher, Carl Bryant, Trevor Iserhoff, Larry Kabestra and Justin Kabestra.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com for the Jameson family.