Wakinyan Ohomani Win (Thunder Goes Around the Camp Woman) - given name was Caroline Wanda Ozawanimiki (Yellow Thunder).
First Sunrise November 22, 1962 - final sunset November 10, 2025 at 5:18 pm.
Mitakuyapi,
It is with great sadness, we announce the passing of our dear mother, Wakinyan Ohomani Win (Thunder Goes Around the Camp Woman) - given name was Caroline Wanda Ozawanimiki (Yellow Thunder). Her fight with cancer was met with a courageous battle for five years. Throughout Wanda’s life, she has met and touched many lives that have come to know and accept her motherly love through her passion for sewing, beadwork, quill boxes and many other craft skills she learnt from her cherished late granny Beatrice Oak. The Thunder Medicine Lodge Sundance and Yuwipi ceremonys are where she found peace, love and healing in the Spirit Lake Dakota Nation in North Dakota through Laidman JR Fox and Gina. Much of Wanda’s life was spent travelling dedicated to the preservation of traditional ways of life through native language workshops with her adored aunt Margaret Toulouse and Pow Wows with her late uncle Hubert Ozawanimiki. Cousin Terri Anne was of tremendous support in her life ensuring that she was loved and never without.
Wanda was the beloved daughter of Elizabeth Eshkakogan and of the late Frank Eshkakogan Sr. She was a proud big sister who as a young girl loved and cared for her dear sister Gwen Eshkakogan and late brother Frank Eshkakogan Jr. Also, sister to Maretta Jones. Wanda then raised her two sons, Eli and Gabriel Bennett. Furthermore, she adopted daughters Aubrey Welch, Leah Groulx and Emmalie Windego; plus her boys Larry Dashner, Steven Naccarato, Justen Waldick and Braden Yawney. Her love extended deeply to her grandchildren: Hannah Bennett (predeceased), William, Kyleigh, Julia, Oakland, Gracie, Braylee, Jake Bennett, Kaysen & Cecilia Groulx-Fowler. She was an aunt and great-aunt to many nieces and nephews and loved each immensely. Wanda was also cat mom to Bombay cats: Caesar and Demi.
The family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to nurse Lindsay from Bayshore Home Health Care for her boundless compassion, love and care in the last stage of her life. Also, heartfelt gratitude to all the incredible nursing and PSW staff at 6 South at Health Sciences North. We also extend deep and heartfelt gratitude to the fantastic staff at Maison McCulloch Hospice for their support and love in her last days.
Direct cremation arrangements entrusted to Park Lawn Sudbury Cremation Services. A traditional celebration of life will be held with feast and giveaway on November 20, 2025. Details to follow.
In lieu of flowers or food, please consider making a memorial donation to the Medicine Mountain Sundance via e-transfer at [email protected]
Mitakuye Oyasin