Our hearts will always hold the memories of those who have been key contributors to the AISDC Mission. Get to know them and their legacies.
Mitchell L. Bush, Jr., 1936 – 2018
Thank you Mitchell for your wisdom, mentoring, and for demonstrating how to lead a life on this earth with honor and reverence of all living things.
“So live your life that the fear of Death can never enter your heart.
Trouble on one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours.
Love your life perfect your life, and beautify all things in your life.
Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.
Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the Great Divide.
Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place.
Show respect to all people and grovel to none.
When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living.
If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.
Abuse no one and no thing, for ause turn the wise ones to fools and robs the Spirit of its vision.
When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of Death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.” Tecumseh, 1800s.
Obituary: It is with a heavy heart we announce, Mitchell L. Bush, Jr., 82, of the Beaver Clan of the Onondaga Nation was called home on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 4:27 p.m. at Spotsylvania Regional Hospital in Spotsylvania, Virginia. He was surrounded by family and friends when he made the journey.
Born February 1, 1936, in Syracuse, New York and educated at the Haskell Institute, Lawrence, Kansas (1951 – 1956). He served in the United States Army (1958 – 1961). Mitchell previously served and retired as Chief Administrator of Tribal Enrollment Services for the Department of Interior, Washington, D.C.
Mitchell was one of the founding members and Elder of the American Indian Society of Washington, DC (AIS) along with serving as president for the first twenty-five years. He helped develop the property of AIS known as Indian Pines and served as its primary caretaker.
Mitchell was admired and loved by all who knew him. His leaves a legacy which will continue to impact the Native Community and generations to come.
Mitchell was preceded in death by his parents, Mitchell L. Bush and Sarah Margaret Skendore; and his sister, Carol Gonyea. Mitchell is survived by four brothers, Stephen Gonyea of Virginia, Ray Gonyea of Indiana, John Gonyea and Tony Gonyea both of the Onondaga Nation; three sisters, Anna Homer and Wendy Gonyea both of the Onondaga Nation and Darla Esposito of Otisco; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20 at Covenant Funeral Service, 1310 Courthouse Road, Stafford, Va. 22554. Burial will be at the Indian Pines Cemetery at Ruther Glenn, Va. on April 28th.
We thank you and we will miss you Mitchell. May the Creator bless and keep you on your journey home.
Karen Collins, 1941 – 2021
You were our constant, our beacon, our guiding light! Your logic, reason, common sense, and your dry humor kept us focused and real. You spirit will always be welcome at our gatherings!
Obituary: Elder Karen Collins, 79, of Dale City Virginia passed away June 30th, 2021. She was born in Miami, Oklahoma as a Citizen of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma.
Karen is preceded in passing by her late husband Charles Collins, her mother Helen Peacock, her grandparents Amy Peacock and Alex Peacock, her aunt Elsie Weeks, and cousin Nancy Weeks.
She is survived by her daughter Annjanette Foss, Sons Edward Collins, and Michael Collins, Grandchildren Alexandra Young, Elizabeth Sabha, Jamie Collins, Ashley Bird, Samuel Tilley, and Josephine Bernard, Great Grandchildren Elizabeth Bernard, Madeline Bernard, and sister Patricia Peacock.
Karen was a lifelong member of the American Indian Society of Washington DC (AISDC), where she made lasting friendships along the way. She was preceded in passing by her dear friends Mitchell Bush, Vern Halley, and Evangeline Hill.
Karen will be greatly missed as she was one of the last original founders of AISDC. Karen was AISDC Secretary for many years and last in attendance at our monthly meeting on June 2, 2021. We enjoyed seeing her face as she had just acclimated to being live online in Zoom (thanks to A’lice (AISDC President) & Howard)!
Rest well, Karen, around the Council fires of our Peoples!
Verde “Vern” Van Halley, 1930 – 2020
Obituary: January 2, 1930 – July 19,2020. (90 YEARS, 7 MONTHS, AND 19 DAYS) That is a great life to have lived. Preceded in death by Vernon Van Halley, Father and Lila Belle Haines Halley, Mother; and Mitchell Bush, his dear friend. Vern is survived by sons Calvin Halley, Texas and George Halley and family of Colorado; Brother Jerry Halley and family, cousin Billy and family of Texas. Vern served in the US Air Force and was stationed in Greenland. An Officer of The American Indian Society of Washington, DC; Member, Committee Person, Craftsman, a Performer of Indian dances and instructor of all; and a performer in several movies made for television. He worked and retired from AT&T telephone company; was a member of St. Mary of the Annunciation Church of Ladysmith, Virginia. That is a real legacy of life for Vern. We know him as a wonderful son, brother, uncle, nephew, father, Veteran, dancer, and performer. We will always remember Vern as a phenomenal friend of AIS. He was loved greatly.
Heartfelt condolences and thanks to Dr. Victoria Grady MD, MaryAnn Robbins RN, Herb Bush, Cheryl, Calvin Kay and family, Michael Nephew, A’lice Myers-Hall and family, Karen Collins, Mary Washington Hospital and Staff, Covenant Funeral Home, St Mary of the Annunciation Church, all Members & Friends of the American Indian Society of Washington, DC.
We appreciate all the condolences and wishes sent to the family of Verde Van Halley. They were many from the Netherlands to Canada and all over the United States.
Rest in Peace Vern. We love you.