Dwight Allister John Dorey, MA - 70, Millbrook First Nation. Former National Chief, proud Mi’kmaq man, compassionate advocate, accomplished traveler, avid golfer, and life of the party, passed away suddenly at his home in Millbrook First Nation on May 24, 2018, as a result of complications with ALS.
Born in rural Nova Scotia, Dwight was a high school dropout who, when later entering Indigenous politics, found the importance of higher education. In his late 20s, he passed the GED test and shortly thereafter went on to graduate from Carleton University with a Master’s Degree in Canadian Studies. He first became involved in Indigenous politics, as an active member of the Ontario Métis and Non-Status Indian Association in 1975 while living and working in Toronto.
In 1977, he returned to Nova Scotia where he was elected as Vice-President of the present day Native Council of Nova Scotia. Dwight continued to be an activist and a leader for many years, having been elected as a Band Councillor for Millbrook First Nation shortly after receiving his Status in 1986 and four times (standing record) to hold national office at the Native Council of Canada/Congress of Aboriginal Peoples. He has been an intervener and observer at numerous United Nations forums, as well as a lecturer on human rights at various North American institutes of higher learning.
Aside from Dwight’s instrumental roles at the First Minister’s Conference on Aboriginal Constitutional Rights, in helping to pursue the rightful outcome of the 2016 DanielsDecision, and being named a recipient of the Aboriginal Order of Canada in 2012, Dwight would probably say that his most shining accomplishment is that of his children – his legacy.
Dwight is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Crystal (Ken); son, Christopher (Brianna); grandsons, Kayne, Emery and Hudson who all breathed new life into him with each visit; mother of his children, Barb Dorey (Stuart); siblings Dora Jones (David), Ottawa; Debbie Robson, Darrell (Janette), Doyle (Sania), all of Elmwood/Bridgewater area; Darliea, Sipenkne’katik; Godchild, Samantha Gloade; several nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends. Welcoming him to the Spirit World are his parents Catherine (nee Muise) and Claude Dorey; siblings, Dale, Delmer, Dalton and several brothers-not-connected-by-blood including, Gene Rheaume and Harry Daniels.
Visitation will begin for Dwight at 1 p.m., Monday, May 28, 2018, at Millbrook Seniors Centre, 841 Willow Street, Millbrook First Nation. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Church Road, Millbrook First Nation, Father Cristinel Fartadi officiating. Meal and Salité to follow in Millbrook Community Hall. Private interment in Elmwood Cemetery will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorial donations to be made in Dwight’s memory to the ALS Society of NB & NS.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall – Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro. Private messages of condolence may be sent to the family by viewing Dwight’s obituary on-line and selecting "Send A Condolence" at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com