Vanessa Mary Smith

Vanessa Mary Smith, age 25, “Migizi Miigwan Ikwe” which means “Eagle Feather Woman”, of Red Lake, Minnesota passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 23rd, 2022, in Red Lake, MN.  Vanessa was born on March 18th, 1997, in Bemidji, MN to Anna Goose and Todd Smith I.

At the time of her passing, Vanessa lived in Red Lake with her sister Lena, her mom Anna, her three children and her nieces and nephews; and worked at the Red Lake Trading Post

 In 2015, Vanessa met Llewellyn Kingbird, Jr. and together they had three beautiful babies: Debizi, Llewellyn III and Suzette Kingbird.  Vanessa was an amazing mother to her babies and a wonderful auntie to her nieces and nephews.  She made sure to play with all the kids and to let each one of them know that they were special to her.  Vanessa had a heart of gold and was always there for everyone in her family.  She was a beautiful Ojibwe Ikwe who loved to have fun and laugh.  Her laugh could light up an entire room.  She was very humorous, her silliness and infectious laugh made her one of a kind, who could make anyone laugh no matter what they were going through.  Her amazing smile brightened up all our lives.  Vanessa loved life and was never afraid to fight for what she believed in.  She had strength to overcome so much in her life, sharing her strength with those around her.  Just being around her made us all stronger.

You can see and recognize Vanessa in her babies, who were her life.  She always told them “I will love you so much, always, forever”.  Vanessa had many family and friends who loved her unconditionally, her spirit and memory will live forever through all of them and her babies.  A beautiful soul who left us way too soon.

Those welcoming her home are her maternal grandparents, Sharon (Morris) and Larry Goose, Sr.; her paternal grandparents, Clyde Monroe and Mary Jo Smith; uncles, Larry Jr. and Owen Goose; aunties, Michelle Goose and Brenda Morris.

Vanessa leaves behind her babies, Debizi, Llewellyn III and Suzette Kingbird; her mom, Anna Goose; her dad, Todd Smith I; sisters, Jazmine (Tyler) Goose, and Lena (Roger Jr.) Goose, brother, Todd (Leah) Smith II; her eleven beautiful nieces and nephews, all her animals, numerous cousins, aunties, uncles and her many many friends.

The wake for Vanessa will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 29th and continue until her 11:00 a.m. traditional services on Sunday, July 31st all being held at the Battle Point Community Center in Federal Dam, MN.  Allen Hardy will be her Spiritual Advisor.  Pallbearers for Vanessa will be Toddie Smith II, Tyler Wilson, Cyras Whitefeather, Brady Cook, Larry “Beetle” Goose, Enrique Goose, Tyler Cournoyer, and Devry Smith.  Alternate pallbearers are Roger Ravensborg, Jr., Trey Kingbird, and Devin Smith.  Her honorary pallbearers are her special nephew Frank Weise, Arrayah Charette, Aaliyah Charette, Tiffany Rosebear, Trudy Magney, Dwayne Graciano, the Deli Staff and all her nieces, nephews, close relatives, and friends.  Interment will be in the Battle Point Burial Grounds at Federal Dam, MN following her Sunday services.

Vanessa’s care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN.  Online condolences for the family may be left at www.northernpeace.com

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