Celebrating the Life of Clarence Nepinak

Celebrating the Life of Clarence Nepinak

Celebrating the Life of Clarence Nepinak

By kristalamb

Posted date: June 17, 2024

At our recent Diabetes Action Canada Workshop, Dr. Jon McGavock introduced a video honouring the life of Patient Partner Clarence Nepinak, who passed away on November 2, 2022.

Nepinak was a respected Indigenous elder and community leader from the Pine Creek First Nation (Minegoziibe Anishinabe) in Manitoba. He was deeply committed to his community, and to improving health outcomes for all Indigenous Peoples. He and his wife, Barbara, helped found the Diabetes Action Canada Indigenous Peoples Circle and were tireless advocates for those living with diabetes.

He served on several advisory councils and boards, including the Indigenous Advisory Council at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the Elders Advisory Council at the University of Winnipeg, and the Indigenous Peoples’ Education Circle at Brandon University. He also worked with organizations such as the Healthy Aboriginal Network and participated in cultural events like the Winnipeg Folk Festival and the Festival du Voyageur.

Nepinak’s contributions to his community and beyond were widely recognized. He received multiple honors, including the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. In 2019, both Clarence and his wife Barbara were inducted into the Order of Manitoba for their dedication to advancing Indigenous culture (Home) (Manitoba Lieutenant Governor).

Read the CBC story about Clarence Nepinak’s life and legacy.

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Barbara and Clarence Nepinak

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