Dale Herbert "Kaadaak" Greene, Sr.

Kaadaak - Dale Greene  Sr.

A Hereditary Chief of the Sandy Lake / Rice Lake Band

Kaadaak was born about 1930 at Gete-Minisinaakwaang, Baakaamanoominikaaning on the 1855 Rice Lake Indian Reservation.  Maang doodem.  He was born in the woods to his biological mother Nahbow aka Nancy Ann Benjamin aka Maggie Benjamin.  She was a non-removable Mille Lac Band original allotee who moved to Rice Lake, she is buried at the 1915 Sandy Lake Reservation.

Dale was raised by his parents Frank “Jack” Misquadace and Maggie Misquadace in the traditional  Anishinaabe lifestyle at Gete-Minisinaakwaang, the original Rice Lake village, on what is today the Rice Lake Wildlife Refuge.  His siblings were Julie, Mattie, Orletta, Ruth, Nancy, and William.  He is the last Indian alive who was born on the Rice Lake reservation.

He was too young to attend the East Lake Indian School on the Refuge but joined each morning for breakfast and specifically recalls hot chocolate.  Kaadaak was swept up and taken away to Pipestone Boarding school where he was able to run away and escape to Pine Point on the White Earth Reservation where he resided for sometime.  Eventually he was admitted to Agwa-chiing near Walker, MN where he spent time in his youth. 

The oldest Anishinaabe of our Band, Kaadaak was present at the Great Removal of the Rice Lake Band from their homelands (1934-1940) for the creation of the Refuge.  He remembered the final day, “a sad day, everyone packed up the last of their belongings in bundles and carried them out to East Lake”.  He then remembered the homeless camp of the Rice Lake people living until the government would honor the “Original Agreement of 1934” and build everyone who was removed a house, amongst other promises such as a new school.  Which never occurred.  Kaadaak was a founder of the Minisinaakwaang Leadership Academy, as well as the Rice Lake Resource Center.

A hero in the Ojibwe Treaty right struggle, Kaadaak was a member of the “Mille Lac 12” who protested the selling of the 1837 Treaty rights by fishing and being charged.  He was also instrumental in the creation and an original council member of the 1855 Treaty Authority.   “Get off your geedee, and fight for your treaty!” – Kaadaak

A Drum Chief of the Bwaani-Dewe’igan for decades, Dale steadfastly carried on the teachings and ways of the traditional Ojibwe Drum society.  He was also a leading Oshkaabewis on a Binesii-Dewe’igan for numerous years building drum stands and contributing countless things to all the ceremonial doings.  Also a member of the Mide lodge Waawiiyegamaag, second degree.

Manoomin, the good berry.  Dale was an avid ricer his whole life.  He became a magnet in the Wild Rice world with his Rice Mill processing tons upon tons of Manoomin for people for many years. He took great pride in the Manoomin business.  Minisinaakwaang’s Marshall, Kaadaak was a member of the Rice Committee for nearly half a century.

Dale had two children Dale Greene Jr. and Sam Greene.  Grandchildren - Christopher Boyd, Cara Martin, Robert Greene, Makoonz Greene, Donovon Greene, Buddie Greene, Mary Greene, Rose Leah Greene, Art Greene, and Keith Red Eagle. Many Great-Grandchildren and  Great- Great-Grandchildren whom he loved very, very much.  Numerous we’ehs, nephews, nieces, great-nieces, great-nephews, and much more.  He was grandpa to many and truly the whole villages’ “Uncle”.

He is joining in the spirit world, his parents – Nahbow, Newaji-Giizhik, Bizhiwens.  Children – Dale Jr. and Sam. Sisters – Mattie Moose, Julie Shingobe, Orletta Sharlow, Ruth Lyons, and Nancy Lyons.  Brother – William Lyons Jr..  All the old Anishinaabe Kaadaak remembered and thought of often.  He and his teachings are carried on by us all.

Tribal Rites Services will be Sunday, June 1, at 10 AM in East Lake Community Center, 20650 363rd Lane, McGregor with Keller Paap “WaaWaaKeyaash” as Ceremonial Leader.  Visitation will begin at dusk on Saturday, May 31 in the East Lake Ceremonial Building.  Interment will be in the Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge.  To leave a message of condolence, please visit:  www.srtfuneral.com.  Arrangements are with McGregor Funeral Home and Cremation Service, McGregor.

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