Naatowais'piwa AKA William Edward McGinnis was born March 21,1990 in Edmonton in Cree Territory and went to be with his Ancestors in Lethbridge in Blackfoot Territory on December 27, 2021 at the age of 31 yrs.
He is survived by his parents Daniel McGinnis and Karen Shouting, siblings Cheyenne and Warren McGinnis, Grandparents Agnes Firstcharger and Bert and Lydia McGinnis, Aunt Shannon Cornelson, Uncles Warren (Alana)Shouting, Evan (Dani) McGinnis, Steve (Shelley) Shouting, Warren (Gail) McGinnis, Dwight (Emily) Pantherbone, Elliot McGinnis, Robbie Firstcharger and numerous Cousins, Nieces and Nephews. And of course many, many, many, many girlfriends.
Although William was registered with the Saddle Lake Cree Nation, along with his brother and sister, the family has made Kainai their forever home since he was seven years old. He attended School both on Reserve and later in Cardston where he graduated from high school, it was in these formative years where he developed his love of performing, both as an actor live for an international audience or as a rocker playing and singing in a dive bar somewhere in Saskatchewan.
William was never afraid of trying new things and he had a lot of different jobs during his short time here including tree arborist, carnie, carpenter, leasehand, millwrights apprentice, roadie, cook, equipment operator and even a gas jockey like his mom!
He was generous to a fault and talented in all he attempted, including becoming proficient in ASL (American Sign Language) so he could talk to his aunty Shelley.
Naatowais'piwa also embraced his traditional teachings through his grandparents who were always encouraging him, he was a member of the Brave Dog Society and even pierced for his Creator at the Sundance at the Late Morris Crow's under Lionel Crow and Morris Crow Jr. William was also a pow wow dancer as a young man, dancing both Grass and Traditional Styles and he loved nothing more than to join his cousins and Grandfather Bernard at the drum singing old style tunes. He was an awesome firekeeper, the best helper, and his jokes and pranks will be sorely missed but his legacy will forever live on in the home he helped build for his family. A celebration of William’s life will also be held on or near his birthday March 21, 2022 at the family homestead on the Blood Reserve.
A Wake service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Monday, January 3, 2021 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm. The Funeral service will follow at Legacy Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 4 at 11:00 am. Family has requested no flowers.
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He is survived by his parents Daniel McGinnis and Karen Shouting, siblings Cheyenne and Warren McGinnis, Grandparents Agnes Firstcharger and Bert and Lydia McGinnis, Aunt Shannon Cornelson, Uncles Warren (Alana)Shouting, Evan (Dani) McGinnis, Steve (Shelley) Shouting, Warren (Gail) McGinnis, Dwight (Emily) Pantherbone, Elliot McGinnis, Robbie Firstcharger and numerous Cousins, Nieces and Nephews. And of course many, many, many, many girlfriends.
Although William was registered with the Saddle Lake Cree Nation, along with his brother and sister, the family has made Kainai their forever home since he was seven years old. He attended School both on Reserve and later in Cardston where he graduated from high school, it was in these formative years where he developed his love of performing, both as an actor live for an international audience or as a rocker playing and singing in a dive bar somewhere in Saskatchewan.
William was never afraid of trying new things and he had a lot of different jobs during his short time here including tree arborist, carnie, carpenter, leasehand, millwrights apprentice, roadie, cook, equipment operator and even a gas jockey like his mom!
He was generous to a fault and talented in all he attempted, including becoming proficient in ASL (American Sign Language) so he could talk to his aunty Shelley.
Naatowais'piwa also embraced his traditional teachings through his grandparents who were always encouraging him, he was a member of the Brave Dog Society and even pierced for his Creator at the Sundance at the Late Morris Crow's under Lionel Crow and Morris Crow Jr. William was also a pow wow dancer as a young man, dancing both Grass and Traditional Styles and he loved nothing more than to join his cousins and Grandfather Bernard at the drum singing old style tunes. He was an awesome firekeeper, the best helper, and his jokes and pranks will be sorely missed but his legacy will forever live on in the home he helped build for his family. A celebration of William’s life will also be held on or near his birthday March 21, 2022 at the family homestead on the Blood Reserve.
A Wake service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Monday, January 3, 2021 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm. The Funeral service will follow at Legacy Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 4 at 11:00 am. Family has requested no flowers.
Click to Send the Family a Condolence