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Dennis Bernard Morrison, Giwahdinong (North Star) of Grand Portage, left his physical form on Monday February 6, 2023 and began making his way to the Spirit World.
He was born March 21, 1943 in Duluth, Minnesota. He graduated from Red Wing High School and went on to study at Winona State College for four years. When he did not return to college, he was drafted in the U.S. Army, trained in the infantry, and quickly ended up in Vietnam. He was a decorated Vietnam Veteran serving in the 1st Calvary Division from 1966-67.
After his discharge from military service, he felt the obligation to be of service to his other country—Indian Country. He served as Grand Portage Community Action Program Director in the late sixties. He went on to serve as Assistant Director of the Upper Midwest Indian Center in Minneapolis. He also served as Chairman of the Indian Advisory Committee to the Minneapolis Public Schools and later became an administrative consultant to several urban Indian programs. He moved back to Grand Portage and was hired to be the Economic Development Administration Planner. He successfully ran for Secretary/Treasurer of the Grand Portage R.B.C and served a full four-year term from 1974-1978 and the Tribal Executive Committee with the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. After his term, he returned to the E.D.A. Planner. In the early eighties he was hired as Executive Director of the Upper Midwest American Indian Center in Minneapolis. He ran and was elected for a second term as Secretary/Treasurer of the Grand Portage R.B.C and served 2015-2018.
He was preceded in death by parents Bernard Morrison and Laura Rousseau Morrison and daughter, Denise.
He is survived by daughter Sonya, granddaughter, Morgan and great-grandchildren Cruz, William and Vivienne, sister Susann, brother Daniel, nieces, Nicky, Kari and Kitty, nephews, Anthony and Lonny and many great nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.
Dennis requested that no funeral be held and to honor him by helping another person along the way.
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