Kavika Walked On Today
Though we may still be sad that he is not here in body, we know that his spirit lives on in our heart and minds.", Ojibwe Saying About Death
It is with a heavy heart that I have to report that our member and my friend Kavika walked on today. He passed peacefully, after taking on last trip down to Australia to see his daughter, his grandchildren, his great-grandchildren, and his great-great-grandchild. He died with a full heart. He was a loving husband to his wife, Veronica.
He was a brave veteran of the Vietnam War. He had marched as one of the many who supported Indian rights here in America.
He was also my friend and mentor. I know that he was friends with many here, and to those whom he held differing opinions, I hope that they will respect that he was a man of character and honor and that he served this country.
You will be missed, David.
Tags
Who is online
46 visitors
I am so heartbroken over the loss of Kavika. I am still processing. He will be missed.
my heart goes out to Red and Kavika's family. he was definitely my cyber brother and an American warrior that deserved respect. his unique Native American perspective, spirit, and sense of humor will be missed.
This morning I woke up, washed and brushed my teeth thinking this was to be just another day, checked my email, opened NT, and when I saw this article my heart dropped to the floor. David was a good friend. He and I collaborated on posting articles about Native creative artists, and remained good friends here on NT for many years. Kavika, wherever you may be, I want you to know that when I wear my favourite all-weather jacket with this emblem on the back, I will be thinking of you, and know that you will be watching over me. At my age it won't be too long before we will walk together.
The words of Shakespeare do apply well here...
"He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again."
We need not seek out for whom the bell tolls , it tolls for us all, and those who knew him have within us and will continue to carry a little of Kavika within us, and we will continue to do so notwithstanding John Donne's belief that when Kavika died, we all died a little, because, in a way, we all did.
Thank you Perrie for letting us know the heart breaking news..
The world has just grown a little darker as one of the lights has gone out....
Feels like we lost part of our family. He will most certainly be missed. Typing this through tears...
Because we truly did.
I am just learning of this and have no words other than to say we were long time friends and had the good fortune of having spent a day or two fishing with him and sharing his company, wisdom, decency and generosity.
Sleep well friend and eternal wonder to your fine spirit as it joins your once lost and now found ancestors soaring in the quick ether. Fly my friend, fly and I will wave to you as you wisp pass the moon tonight.
Didnt know he was doing that poorly. I never met Kavika but by all appearances he was a great man and a tireless and fearless advocate for his people. This is a staggering blow to NT.
agreed.
Mino-siijiibaan Kavika
Walk in peace, my friend.
still processing this .
my thoughts go to his family .
i shall miss his council .
I am truly shattered to read of Kavika's passing this morning..🥀
I am so glad he had one last trip to the Great Southern Land to see his rellies here...
The banter has been a highlight on here and I will miss him dearly...
Thank you Kavika it has been fun and a privilege to know you and talk to you...
There will be many heart broken Aussies awakening this morning knowing a wonderful Spirit has now walked on...
Sleep well my friend...💔🥀
Too sad for words. He is already greatly missed.
Goodbye, Kavika. May God bless the progeny you left behind.
I am sure they will do him proud...
From what I knew of him here, I have great respect for him
He will be missed
Kavika was one of the good people, level headed, knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour. I will miss his posts and stories, condolences to all his friends and family
Rest in peace Sir, May your hunt be successful and your loved ones be joyous for your arrival.
O what a joy it has been to know and 'serve' with you, Kavika, in a higher calling. From a first 'impression' you delivered of a young, vibrant, you in full Indian regalia (with bare chest and legs). . . some years ago I misplaced it. . .perhaps on an old computer. . . to standing up brilliantly and openly in defense of US. Just, Us.
I have often wondered about the years of good and likeable men of a multitude of seasons. What do each man, and woman, take away with them when we "walk on."
We can take the pride and joy of knowing that we did our best to be a friend to somebody who had little and kept a line of communication open to those who have everything—whenever needed and what it can be good for.
In nine of my years you kept the peace with me. I testify that you were kind-hearted to this 'outcast.' You counseled me in the quiet spaces where I could listen. It was a high time indeed. Treasured and precious and yes, pure.
With respect and with shock and also with a mixture of joy, I release you to go the way of MAN. 'The whole earth' will follow after you in their own time. Peace to a man's man. A real man who comprehended what hurts, twists, and bends us in this life. And yet you found grace in sharing with some of the best and worse of -Us- in your own unique way.
Bye for now, Kavika (David.)
Kavika
OFFLINE.
🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀
I'm so sorry to read that he walked on. Condolences to Red and their family. I'm glad he made it to Australia again. I'll miss his stories here.
I'm absolutely devastated to hear this news. He was a great man and a very good and wonderful friend to me since I first became a member of NT. We had many private conversations over the years about all sorts of topics that I will always remember and treasure, including teaching me a bit of the Ojibwe language and culture, discussing friends and family and life experiences. I will miss you niijii. He will be sorely missed.
So sad to hear. What a wonderful person he was. He will definitely be missed.
Oh man. Terribly sorry to hear about this. My heart goes out to his family and may he rest in peace. I always enjoyed discussions with Kavika here, he will be missed by so many.
My wife always talks about good bad luck and the native American Indian spirits looking over her through out her life.
The bad luck came in that I had to travel to Florida for a "celebration of life" for my best friend.
The good luck was that Kavika was recovering from severe health issues and was available to visit.
We had a great time reminiscing about all of the places we had been to, sometimes at the same periods of time,
especially in Texas and Australia where Red was a famous female sailing phenom.
I am proud to have met them both before they went to Australia
and heartbroken that he has passed on to the spirit world.
Migwech Kavika, Bamma Pii
Grandfather Creator, Mother Earth and Spirits -
We thank you for the gift of David Westurn (Kavika) and for his time with us.
He has walked in the beauty you created and shared his wisdom, knowledge and experiences with us.
As he journeys to the Great Beyond, we know he is with you.
May he find rest and peace in your embraces.
We will continue to remember him and the lessons he taught us.
We thank you for the strength and courage to face this time of parting.
Ahoo.
I have known Kavika since 2005 in the Ol' NBC Bulletin Board, Newsvine and Newstalkers Days.
I learned so much from him and still have that hunger for knowledge and wisdom that you just can't fill.
He is my WARRIOR, my LEADER, my ELDER, but most importantly, he is my BROTHER.
We will meet again my Brother and will continue our walk and talks - which I welcome with an open and willing heart.
Miigwech Niiji
1stwarrior (Silent Eagle)
Vaya con Dios hermano, y que Dios le vendiga a usted y su familia!!
Go with God my brother, and may God bless you and your family!
Tears..... As some may remember, Kavika was a volunteer at an animal rescue center. I visited the center a couple times, and met David. He was the best! I got my dog at that shelter, and he was one of the first I told when my dog passed away last month. He asked for some photos of her before she passed, and he got them.
I'm surely going to miss Kavika here on NT, too. Kavika was a dear friend.
Just saw this and though I only knew him from here and often from opposite ends of a discussion, I had great respect for him as a fellow Veteran, Tradesman and outdoorsman.
Rest in peace brother. You will be missed.
I am truly crushed... He was such a good person. May the winds be always at your back my friend.
I am likewise crushed...
Bob Dylan And The Band - Forever Young
Truly a sad day indeed.
I have always heard that it was an old Indian saying that no man is truly dead as long as he is remembered by those that knew cared honored and loved him. It is my guess that Kavika will live for many many more years.
Evening...I have just come in from sitting outside in the comfort of the night sky...I was waiting for my cat as she loves to creep around in the dark...
I was hoping to see a falling star so I could make a wish for Kavika for a safe journey into the after life...
But instead and probably more fitting, the sky is in complete darkness no stars, moon or satellites to be seen tonight...
Gentle rain has started to fall, we are in desperate need of it and it is pattering on the corrugated iron roof..
Crickets are quietly singing their song and there is not a breath of wind...all is calm...the trees are completely still...
Somehow the darkness tonight is more appropriate and the rain is the tears that have been shed around the world, for a soul who has now walked on....
These are the Southern Cross stars that shine over Australia every night..
Kavika would have seen these whilst here visiting his rellies just a few weeks ago..
Good night Kavika one last time from the Great Southern Land and sleep well. 🥀
My sincere condolences to Kavika's family. A sad loss and a sad day.