NETT LAKE- Of all the voices heard at a dedication ceremony at the Bois Forte Government Center at Nett Lake last week, the late Bois Forte elder and spiritual adviser Gene Goodsky surely would have rejoiced at the sound of an infant crying, the surest sign that the whole community was welcome and present at the event held in his honor.
Goodsky passed away in February 2022, and the Band chose to honor his contributions to the Bois Forte community by dedicating the Eagle Room, a focal point for powwows, meetings, and community gatherings, in his honor, and the community turned out in full force to recognize him.
Fittingly, the room itself will remain the Eagle Room, with Goodsky ever-present through a commemorative plaque and portrait that will hang on the wall there.
“One thing that Gene instilled upon us all was a sense of community,” Bois Forte tribal chairwoman Cathy Chavers said “He always talked to us about how we used to be as a community, how we got together, how we did things as a community. So, when Gene passed, we called Diana and I said, you know, we really feel the only thing that we can do to honor Gene is to dedicate this room to him because it’s from his community. This is where community events happen. This is what Gene wanted, to get our community back.
The portrait and plaque were unveiled by Gene’s children Dianna Goodsky-Hertig, Lela Goodsky Correa and Tom Spears. The striking photo, taken by Mel Goodsky, is from the same photo shoot that provided the cover art for Gene Goodsky’s biography, Warrior Spirit Rising. The inscription on the plaque reads, “In dedication of his many years of devotion, commitment, service, and generosity to the community and band members of the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe.”
Elder Gilbert Smith led the traditional ceremony portion of the event, sharing stories, personal experiences, tribal teachings and wisdom that all tied together to amplify theme of shared community.
Goodsky-Hertig shared her reflections with the audience, saying that underneath all of her father’s actions and teachings was unconditional love.
“I felt like I finally got all the teachings he was trying to give,” she said. “Whether it’s courage or forgiveness or whatever, it’s deeper than that. Because when you share that love inside, that other stuff kind of comes naturally.”
After the ceremony, Goodsky-Hertig said that Gene’s sense of community and family inspired her to talk about love.
“I think that’s part of his legacy,” she said. “It really is his bottom line. He wasn’t the preacher type to just be saying to everybody, ‘Hey, gotta love somebody.’ He taught it through his actions and his giving and the way he lived. I think his legacy is that love that presents itself in so many ways, especially in this community.”
She also said that for Gene, community was synonymous with family, and said she felt it was very appropriate for herself and other family members to serve as the honor guard for the ceremony.
Goodsky-Hertig recalled after the ceremony the first time she participated as a member of the honor guard.
“The first time I did it I saw my dad’s face and he was super proud,” she said. “He would be extremely proud of all of us.”
At the conclusion of the ceremonies, T. Pattenn Café, Gene’s favorite place to eat, served attendees a meal of creamy chicken wild rice soup and fry bread.