Daniel May

Daniel Charles May, “Charlie”, Baybomboy Animikiitah – “Hears the Heart of the Thunder and Calls for It to Come”, Makwa – “Bear Clan”, travelled to the spirit world on Monday, April 3, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Charlie was born on December 1, 1993, in Bemidji, MN to Allison May and Eugene Northbird. Charlie was one of a kind, energetic, and thoughtful person. He had such a big heart and the dreams to match. His baby sister, Amber, was born a year and a half later and the two were inseparable, even joking they were twins because they looked, acted and laughed so much alike. He had an amazing childhood, playing in the woods and inventing new games to play with Amber and their cousins: Dallas, Cedrick, Jasmine & David Jr. who he spent all his time with. He lived in Bemidji most of his childhood and he loved music. He was very interested in skateboarding and he had many friends growing up that became lifelong friends and had a special bond with Amber that will last forever.

Daniel graduated in 2021 from Leech Lake Tribal College with his A.A.S. degree in Liberal Education with a Stem emphasis. He was in his senior year at Bemidji State University where he was finishing up his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Indigenous Studies. He was a member of the Council of Indian Students and President of American Indian Business & Leadership. He worked at the American Indian Resource Center as a student support member and mentor. He dreamed of owning a native business in fitness, digital printing and had so many other amazing ideas. He talked about continuing his education and getting his Masters and eventually his Doctorate. In years past, Charlie worked at the LLBO DRM and did community volunteering as he felt it was important to give back. He worked full time for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe in the accounting department, and part time as a security guard at Sanford Convention Center in Bemidji, MN.

He had a big family with his loved one and other half, Penny Jones-May and did a great job providing for them.  He and Penny lived a very good life and built so much in the five years they spent together, including their own home from the ground up. He was strong willed, smart and charismatic, driven and understanding. He was a genuine person who was the light of many peoples lives.

He leaves behind his fiancé and love of his life, Penny Jones-May and their children: Michael Butcher-May, Elijah Kingbird, Daniel May Jr., Abrielle Jones, Jiselle Jones, Amare Laduke, Briauna Laduke, Natalia Kegg; sister, Amber May and her children: Mylah and Mykah Hanson, Anamikii May; sister Taisha Lausche; father, Eugene Northbird; grandmothers: Ruth May-Whitefeather and Diana Yerbich; grandfather, Gene Northbird; great-grandmother, Norma McMurrin; aunties: Annie, Carla and Sara Martin, Becky (David Sr.) Northbird-Jones, Sierra (Andy) Oquist, Michelle Losh, Valerie White, Patsy Jourdain, Mary Jourdain, Debbie Jourdain, Beverly Schoenborn ; uncles: Shannon Northbird and Corey Northbird, Wesley May, Arnold Martin; as well as numerous other relatives and friends.

He will be reunited with his mother, Allison May; two unborn children with his fiancé, Penny; grandparents, Debbie and Clyde Tibbets, grandfathers: Joseph Jourdain and James C. “Tucker” Whitefeather; great grandparents Melinda and Zemo May; uncles: Brian Northbird, Herb and Bill May; aunties: Marilyn Roxanne & Gloria May and several cousins and loved ones.

The wake will begin at Noon on Friday, April 14, 2023, at the New Red Lake Center in Red Lake and continue until the service at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, April 15, 2023. The spiritual leader will be Charles Grolla. Active Paul Bearers will be: Dallas Martin, Cedrick Martin, David Jones Jr., Thor Gardener, Ethan May, Jordan Kingbird, Will May, Maurice “Moe Moe” May, Trevor Lussier and alternates, Josh Desjarlait & Vinny May. Honorary pallbearers will be: Eugene Northbird, Wesley May, Arnold Martin, Corey May, Rob May, Edward, Kim St. John, Starlite Jourdain, Dominic Johnson, Daris & Chad Rosebear, Martin Raincloud, Lucas White, Eric Krumm, Jeff Harper, Bob Jaspers, Melvin Woods, Jonas Northbird, Nate Rubin, Ryan Engebretson, Brad Dudley, Tre Nedeau and Keefer Bender. Burial will be at the May Family Burial Grounds in Red Lake. Arrangements provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service of Walker & Hackensack, MN (whisperingpinesnorth.com).

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