Fish-WIKS News

It is with profound sorrow that Fish-WIKS acknowledges the passing of Mi'kmaw Elder Doug Knockwood, on Saturday, June 16 at the age of 88. Elder Knockwood will be remembered in Nova Scotia and across Canada for his tireless work to improve the lives of others. Dalhousie released the below Memorandum. Fish-WIKS would like to extend its condolences to Elder Knockwood’s friends and family. 

 MEMORANDUM

To:          The Dalhousie University community

From:      Dr. Richard Florizone, President and Vice Chancellor 

Date:       June 18, 2018 

Re:         Condolences on the passing of Elder Doug Knockwood

On behalf of the Elders-in-Residence and the entire Dalhousie University community, I am writing to express our condolences on the passing of Elder Doug Knockwood, who died on Saturday, June 16 at the age of 88. 

Beloved and respected by the Sipekne'katik First Nation community and the Mi'kmaw community, Elder Knockwood was an RCA (Ret.) Black Watch Regiment of Canada member; an Order of Nova Scotia recipient (2016); and one of Canada’s premier addictions recovery counsellors.

Elder Knockwood used Mi’Kmaw spiritual teaching and his own experience of survival and redemption to help others across Canada suffering from drug and alcohol addiction. He helped set-up programs for Indigenous people to help combat addictions in the Northwest Territories, and has worked in the corrections system to develop programs for Indigenous inmates. 

He is survived by his wife Michelle; his children, Bernie (Jean); Carol Ann (Bill Green); Allan; Joey Morris; Bert; Glenn (Tania); step children, Lucille (Fahad); Gilles (Sarah); numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. Condolences, words of comfort and memories of Elder Knockwood may be shared with the family at ettingerfuneralhome.com

Campus flags have been lowered to half-mast to honour his work and legacy.