Dian Sidney Green
JUNE 20, 2009 – JANUARY 3, 2022
Dian Sidney Green “Waabshkaa Pizhew” Makwa Dootem June 20, 2009 – January 3, 2022 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our little warrior Dian Sidney Green - Waabshkaa Pizhew. Dian passed away January 3, 2022, surrounded by his maternal and paternal family at home in Winnipeg after his courageous battle with cancer.
He was predeceased by his baby sister Aleeta Elizabeth Anne Copenace, Great-Kokum Elizabeth “Betty” Tom (nee Jack), his Great-Shoomis Joseph Red Thunder Boy, Great-Kokum Joyce “Paatiiskwe” Green, Great-Shoomis David “Pwaan” Pinesse, Great-Grandfather Billy Gamblin, Great-Grandmother Jane Mary Gamblin (nee Sinclair), Great-Grandfather Melton Queskekapow, Great-Grandmother Christina Queskekapow, Baby Uncle Green, Great-Uncles; Gordon Green, Edward Green, Edward Gamblin.
He is survived by his mother Rachel Green, his step-father Dylan Copenace, his brother’s Chavez and Kaysin, and his step-brother Daysin. His biological father Ainsley Queskekapow. His maternal Grand-parents; Myrna Ferland (nee Green) and Papa Kenneth Ferland, and Papa Gary Tom, and Lydia Tom (nee Copenace). His paternal Grand-parents; Beverly Queskekapow (nee Gamblin) and Joe Queskekapow. His special Granny Anne Dufrane and Special Grandpa John. His aunties; Taylor Tom (Nathan), Jayelle Green, Janelle Green (Bryan), Teagan Tom, Chelsea Queskekapow, Janine Folster (Andrew), Becky Green, Karlina Tom, Lori Tom, Patricia Green, Leigh Green (Ronald), Lana Green, Tamara Hunter (nee Tom), Carrie Tom (Skylar), Wazhow Atik (Leroy), and Chelsea Green. His uncles; Cowen Green, Bradley Joseph, Daniel Tom (Caidence), Daniel Martinson, Josh Martinson, Dwayne Roloff, Lonnie Joseph, Tyler Joseph, Darrin Green (Jane), Gerald Green, Aaron Pitchenese, Kelsey Pitchenese, Josh Tom (Ashlee) and Bryce Tom. Great-Aunties; Judy Green, Rose Green, Alvena Joseph (Rory), Liz Martinson, Phyllis Pitchenese (Daniel), Jane Muskego (Samuel), Patricia Mcleod (Erwin). Great-Uncles; Marvin Tom (Dorinda), Conrad Tom, Daniel Queskekapow (Donalda), Brian Queskekapow (Virginia). His cousins; Jayden, Jezra, Jayda, Xavier, Angel, Alena, Jacy, Rayden, Raven, Julian, Leonard, Jeffrey, Zachary, Drake, Maverick, Darmaris, Kevin, Valorie, Andrina, Rora, Creedin, Rizzo, and Delena. While Rachel was visiting with family at a pow-wow in Hinkley, Minnesota, Dian decided to make an early and quick entrance into this world. He was born on June 20, 2009 in Mora, Minnesota to Rachel Green and Ainsley Queskekapow. Dian was raised along side his two brothers by his mom and step-father Dylan, whom he shared a special bond with, in Winnipeg, where he spent the rest of his life. Dian spent a large portion of his life courageously battling cancer. At the age of two, Dian was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma. At the age of six, Dian faced his second battle with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia where he received a bone marrow transplant from his younger brother Kaysin which proved to be a life-saving procedure. After his second cancer battle, Dian was diagnosed with Li Fraumeni Syndrome meaning Dian’s body was more susceptible to developing and redeveloping several types of cancer cells. At the age of eleven, Dian was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. With this battle all treatment options were exhausted as Dian’s body was no longer responsive to his treatments. Throughout Dian’s ongoing treatments and checkups, he never once complained or wondered why me; he simply accepted his battle with a positive attitude and faced it head on. In late February of 2021 Dian was given a prognosis of approximately six months. As he did many times, he exceeded those expectations. Over the last ten months Dian’s mom and step-father worked tirelessly to ensure that Dian’s dreams could come true. With the help of the Dream Factory, Dian and his family were sent to the West Coast, where he was able to see the mountains, see the ocean, and just spend quality time with his family. Dian enjoyed visiting family and friends in Kenora, Sioux Narrows, Whitefish Bay, Iskatewizaagegan No. 39, Eagle Lake, Crane River, and with his paternal family in Norway House, where he loved going for boat rides and fishing. Dian enjoyed learning about the history of war, Indigenous people, and about his Anishinaabe culture. He loved attending and taking part in the traditional ways of life through Powwows, Sweats, and Sundance’s with his family and ceremonial family. In between his times of travel, he liked playing video games with his brothers and his cousins Jayden and Jacy while his cat Baby was always nearby. Dian had a love for sports, during the summer months, he could be found with a bat and ball in hand. He and his brother Kaysin played together with the Tyndall Park Thunder. Even more than his love for the game of baseball, his true passion was playing hockey. He worked year round to become the best hockey player he could be. From the time he could stand, he would turn anything into a “stick and puck.” When he got a little older, Dian played hockey with the Winnipeg Jets Academy. He enjoyed watching the game, whether it was his aunty Taylor’s games, uncle Daniel’s games, the Winnipeg Jets, the Manitoba Moose, but his ultimate favourite games to attend or watch were the games of the Pittsburgh Penguins when they were in Winnipeg. Following in the footsteps of his Papa Gary and numerous family members before him, Dian aspired to be a Police Officer with Treaty 3 Police Service. This past fall Dian was sworn in as a Honorary Junior Chief of Police of the T3PS. After the swearing in ceremony, Dian spent the day on patrol with his Papa. The highlight of Dian’s patrol was “pulling someone over” on Highway 17. He took such pride in his new title and wore his badge regularly and often showed it off. Dian had one other major dream outside of becoming a Police Officer, meeting his hockey idol Sidney Crosby. In April 2021, with the help of the Dream Factory, Dian’s dream came true as he was able to meet and communicate with Sidney through a video communications app, where he received a tour of the PPG Paints Arena home of the Pittsburgh Penguins. During his visit with Sidney Crosby, Dian brought Crosby’s attention to the beaded medallion that his mother made for him. After his visit with Crosby, Dian made a special request to his mom to make a matching medallion that could be sent to Crosby. As a surprise Crosby sent Dian a signed jersey and hockey stick. Once Crosby received the medallion, he shared a photo of him proudly wearing it. This was another major highlight of Dian’s young life.
The family would like to thank the medical team who took great care of Dian; Dr. Cuvlier, Dr. Martin, Dr. Stoffman, Cathy Bourne, the Palliative Care team, the nurses and staff at CK5, and the nurses and staff at Cancer Care Clinic 5. Special thanks also goes out to the Dream Factory and everyone who was involved in making Dian’s dream of meeting Crosby a reality. Special thanks also goes out to the Treaty Three Police Services, Iskatewizaagegan Independent First Nation No. 39, and the Brown’s Funeral Home. The family would also like to thank Ashlee Tom, Josh Tom, Taylor Tom, Mandy White, Joelle Roy, Teddy Copenace, Clarence and Phyllis Chartrand, Jane and Al Parenteaux, Mervin Moar, Martha Twin, Gary Tom, and Karlina Tom. The family would also like to thank those who gave much love and support. APICHI MIIGWETCH! Wake to begin on Friday, January 7, 2022, at 3:00 p.m., and the Traditional Funeral Service to begin on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., at David Kejick School in Iskatewizaagegan Independent First Nation No. 39. Dian admired, loved, and fully respected his Elder, Clarence Chartrand, who will be conducting the Traditional Funeral Service with burial to follow in IIFN#39.
Pallbearers are Josh Tom, Dylan Copenace, Kenneth Ferland, Cowen Green, Joey Spence, Wyatt Spence, Nathan Bruyere, and Al Parenteaux.
No flowers. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dream Factory, the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, or Cancer Care Manitoba.