Janet Lee Northbird

It is with great sadness that the family of Janet Lee Northbird “Ningaa bii ‘anong Binesi Kwe” meaning West Thunderbird Woman, of the Eagle Clan started her journey home on May 6, 2026, surrounded by her family.

She was born on June 1, 1960, in Cass Lake, MN to Angeline and Ernest Northbird.

Janet believed in the traditional way of life.  She enjoyed making birch bark crafts, berry picking, pinecone picking, and feeding and watching birds and all wildlife, watching movies, playing games, going to bingo, and the casino.  She loved nature drives and evening fires, she loved music and her favorite band was the Carpenters.

She worked numerous jobs living in the twin city area, she was an administrative specialist for the Minnesota Supreme Court, Indian Health Board of Minneapolis, Women of Nations, Leech Lake Tribal College and lastly as an accounting supervisor for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.

She is proceeded in death by her parents, Ernest and Angeline (Bugg) Northbird, brothers, Ronald Northbird Sr., Melvin Northbird, and Gary Northbird, sisters Barbara Paquin, Marie Northbird, and Diana Meyers.

She is by survived the love of her life of 26 years Dean Davis, siblings Darlene Cobenais, Vernon Northbird, and special sister-in-law Judy Northbird, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A traditional private immediate family service will be held on Sunday May 10, 2026, under the guidance of spiritual leader Allen Hardy with services on Monday May 11, 2026, all to be held at the Noopiming/ Pennington Community Center in Pennington, Minnesota.  Interment will be held immediately following the service at the Ernest Northbird Family cemetery in Pennington, Minnesota, under the direction if Northern Peace Funeral Home.

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