Obituary of Viola Anaquod

On Thursday, August 25, 2011 Viola, surrounded by her family, departed peacefully on her journey to join her relatives and Creator in the Spirit World. Beloved mother, sister, auntie and kokum, Viola was born at White Bear First Nation to John and Caroline Sunkawaste. Predeceased by her husband Joseph Anaquod; sons, Joseph and Douglas Anaquod; father John Sunkawaste; mother Caroline (Pewean) Sunkawaste; sisters, Lillian Sunkawaste, Mabel Favel and Velma (Thomas) Whitebear; brothers, Jerry, Albert, August, Harold and Robert Sunkawaste, and Bill Oliver; and grandchildren, Rhonda Anaquod and Candace Williams among other cherished relatives. Viola is survived by her sister Grace Bishop; brother Angus Sunkawaste; children, Delbert (Diane), Della, Garry, Harley, Bettina (Chris) Vallieres, Cindy (Ron) and Michelle (Bill); grandchildren, Douglas Perrault, Dawn and Derek Anaquod, Charlie Williams, Carin Williams-Leibel, Jason and David Vallieres, Amanda and Kyle Poag and Jenna Lee and Alicia Anaquod; great-grandchildren Katin, Kitana, Ryker, Mikael and Tianna. Raised in the Cree and Dakota traditions, language and ways of her great grandfather Chief Whitebear, and her parents, Viola emulated the ethics of family, giving, sharing and sacrifice. Though her formal education ended at day school, Viola shared her values of education, of work and of service. Viola, whose traditional name was Little Whirlwind Woman, believed in the power of prayer and at the end of her long life believed her prayers had been answered. A traditional Wake will be held at the White Bear First Nation Community Hall on Sunday, August 28, 2011 beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a traditional Funeral to take place on Monday, August 29, 2011 at 12:00 noon.