[IPSM] Fwd: some words for david brophy

[Jaggi Singh]

very sad news -- david brophy has passed on. he was a committed member of 
friends of grassy narrows.

more info below, and also here: http://www.newsocialist.org/index.php?id=1314

-- jaggi.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: kulchysk at cc.umanitoba.ca <kulchysk at cc.umanitoba.ca>
Date: Jul 11, 2007 5:56 PM
Subject: [fgn] some words for david brophy
To: fgn at friendsofgrassynarrows.com
Cc: ummauroi at cc.umanitoba.ca

With deep sadness verging on despair we are sorry to have to say that
one of our closest and dearest 'Friends', David Brophy, on Monday July 9
brought his own life to an end.

Dave was one of our founding members and for years was a tireless
driving force behind our efforts. He inspired many people as a non
indigenous person who understood and practiced an ethical relation to
indigenous peoples and a supportive role in their struggles.  He made
a difference in the struggle for a better world, a saner way of living
in balance with nature, a society based on bonds of trust and justice.

We will miss his beautiful shy smile. We will miss the deeply felt way
he accepted his responsibilities. We will miss his humility. We will
miss his thoughtfulness. We will miss his easy laughter.

Dave was a young man, still finding himself. He had completed a
master's degree in environmental studies with a thesis about indigenous
village agriculture and crop diversity. He struggled in the last year
of his life with depression and withdrew from his leading role in the
Friends of Grassy Narrows. But he maintained an interest in social
justice issues, participated in many events and seemed to have found
work he enjoyed.

We thought he was on the path to wellness.  We were wrong. His work
wasn't enough. Our love for him wasn't enough. We respect his decision.
His decision is hard for us to accept.

We are proud to have known, worked with and loved a gentle, giving and
thoughtful person, a friend, colleague and companero, a person who
walked the earth lightly and felt the slightest wind, David Brophy. We
will hold our distinct memories of him close to our hearts and
remember that we are better for having known him.

A few days ago here on Baffin Island we saw a huge landslide; today
one of the elders we work with Joannasie Karpik, told us that when
someone takes their own life boulders fall from the mountain. We mourn
with the mountains for the loss of our friend.

His memorial will be in Winnipeg on Friday July 13; here on the tundra
of Baffin Island, as perhaps in places as diverse as highlands of Peru
and bush country in Grassy Narrows, we will hold our own small
ceremony of mourning his loss.

Alon Weinberg Ian Mauro Peter Kulchyski


Details regarding the Winnipeg Memorial services and gatherings:

After the 4PM service at St. Matthew's Anglican Church, people will be
gathering at the location below at 5PM.  I believe there will be a
reception at 479 Young after that.

5:00PM
Young Street Community Garden
2 properties north of 479 Young between
   Ellice and Sargent



____________________________
mors ante servitium!

peter kulchyski
bush doctor
department of native studies
university of manitoba
winnipeg, mb, canada
r3t 5v5
204-474-6333
fax 204-4747657
www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/arts/native_studies




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