Faith Anne (Turner) McGruther

Faith Anne (Turner) McGruther passed away on Monday, February 23, 2015. She was 77 years old. She was born June 17, 1937 in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan She was a member of the Sault Sainte Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. She began working for the tribe in the late 70's starting out as a secretary. In the early 80's she began working for the Chippewa Ottawa Treaty Fishery Management Authority as Secretary and eventually up to Executive Director in 1998 until her retirement in 2002. Through her work with COTFMA/CORA. She was involved with many other organizations: Ex-Officio member of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Taskforce of the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society. Regional Director of the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society Great Lakes Region, Ex-Officio member on the Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council. She was very active in working alongside the tribes to negotiate the historic 1985 Consent Order and the 2000 Decree. She worked alongside the COTFMA and the CORA Tribes to negotiate with the United States Coast Guard for the Memorandum of Understanding. Faith was very proud of her involvement with the Great Lakes Region of the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society. She really enjoyed working alongside various Conservation Officers within the region and the shoot out competition, even participating one year. She was also proud to have gone to Washington D.C. to testify before Congress to fight for funding for COTFMA and CORA member Tribes. She made many friends in D.C. within the BIA and United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Faith also was one of the original members of the Sault Tribe Child Welfare Committee, serving from the early 1980's until several years after her retirement. She also served on the pow-wow committee for many years ensuring that many dancers and drummers were fed each year. She is survived by daughter Cindy Deuman and sons Joseph Locke and Ken (Susan) McGruther Faith has 20 grandchildren, 22 grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. She loved her grandchildren with all her heart and spent every free moment with them. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews. Faith was predeceased by her parents Bernard Turner and Alice Turner-Guy. Her brother Joseph Turner and sister Marion Smart. Son-in-law Steve Deuman and granddaughter Evelynne Deuman. Services will be held Thursday February 26, 2015 at the Niigaanagiizhik building from 1:00pm until 4:00pm with prayers and pipe ceremony at 4:00pm and luncheon to follow. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery later this spring. Clark Bailey Newhouse Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.clarkbaileynewhouse.com.

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Faith Anne (Turner) McGruther

June 17, 1937 - February 23, 2015