Dedication to Norman Deschampe.

At times I have been stressed out by being involved in the work of the City. Sometimes I get really wound up and/or I struggle with what the right thing to do is. 

There are many techniques that I use to be able to address this stress; one of them is to think back to a meeting I attended very early in my service with Chairman Deschampe. The topic of the meeting is lost to me, but I remember Norman clearly in that meeting. He observed most of the meeting without speaking, quietly sitting and listening. When he was asked his thoughts near the end of the meeting he sat up and spoke calmly, succinctly, and with incredible candor. His words summarized the points that were made and reached out to those in attendance. His words answered questions that could be answered and made clear the questions that could not be answered. His words helped others start to shed their own stress about the subject, but provide practical ideas for moving forward.

That is just one experience with him, but it impacted me a great deal. I tend to talk too much and listen too little, but Norman's example helped me to work on that and realize the strength of the community around me. 

I, and many others, reach out to the family of Norman and the greater community of Grand Portage as they process and proceed with life without him. 

Because of the importance he held in our collective community, because of the relationships we foster in this county that he helped to build, and with the blessing of his family, I have issued this proclamation:

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, Norman Deschampe dedicated decades of his life to the leadership, betterment, and support of the Grand Portage community, and

WHEREAS, his leadership and influence was felt beyond the North Shore through his participation in the Minnesota Chippewa Tribal Executive Committee, representing the six (6) Minnesota Chippewa Tribal Reservations amongst the Tribes’, other local, state, and federal governments, and

WHEREAS, his dedication the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Kitchi-Onigaming) promoted the understanding of traditional practices, preservation of culture, and stewardship of natural resources, which, along with the work of many others, has made the collective community stronger, and

WHEREAS, the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Kitchi-Onigaming) is an essential neighbor and partner to the City of Grand Marais, whose relationship is strong thanks to the life and example of Norman Deschampe and it is hoped that this relationship will continue to grow, and 

WHEREAS, there is no word for “Goodbye” in the Anishinaabe language; we show our gratefulness for the life of Norman Deschampe by wishing him “Minawaa giga-waabamin” or “I’ll see you again” and continuing offers of support to the Grand Portage community.

Therefore, let it be proclaimed that

FEBRUARY 26TH, 2019, his birthday

NORMAN DESCHAMPE DAY

in the City of Grand Marais.

SIGNED IN THE CITY OF GRAND MARAIS, MINNESOTA, THIS 11TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2019