TRIBUTE TO MARVIN BRUNEAU
Marvin Ray Bruneau, Ogimaabinaise, October 5, 1956 to February 2, 2025. Marvin served the Mille Lacs Band for 28 years as the District II Representative.
By Vivian LaMoore, Inaajimowin Editor, et al
Marvin Bruneau, Ogimaabine, served as the District II Representative for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe for a total of 28 years serving the Band members of Minisinaakwaang and Chi minising (Big Sandy Lake, East Lake, and McGregor, Isle, and Wahkon. On February 2, 2025, Marvin began his journey to the spiritual world, leaving behind a family, tribe, and community that will always love, miss, and remember him.
He began his service to the Band in 1990. In an article pub lished in the July 2022 issue of the Inaajimowin in the of the Inaajimowin Marvin discusses his years of service which be gan in 1990. In all of those 28 years Marvin said he has seen the Band go from "rags to riches."
Keeping his oath of office always in the forefront of his decision making, Marvin said it was not always easy. “The number one thing I learned over the years is you can’t please all of the people all of the time. You have to do your best to be able to serve the people as a whole and try as hard as you can to make the right decisions,” he said.
That is the legacy Marvin leaves behind. He was soft-spoken, kind-hearted, and humble, yet a leader with a strong voice who follows through with integrity. He said he always remembers he is “a servant to the constituents of District II and to all of the Band members. Politicians are here to serve a purpose. That’s paramount.”
Marvin had a calm, easygoing, humble, kindhearted, encouraging, and thoughtful disposition and was truly loved by many. Governor Tim Walz issued a proclamation proclaiming Thursday, February 6, 2025, as Marvin Bruneau Day in the state of Minnesota. The proclamation says in part: "He was a dedicated public servant who believed in and abided by strong principles of compassion, education, land stewardship, and kindness; he was a fantastic listener, preferring to consume the thoughts of others before imparting his own wisdom; he never liked to see people suffer, always seeking to mitigate conflict and preserve peace within his community, his family, and himself; he served not for prestige, but for the broader public good—and encouraged others to do the same..." You can read the full proclamation at https://tinyurl.com/MarvinBruneauMLBO
The Inaajimowin pays tribute to honor his legacy. Following are tributes from a few of his previous co-workers.
The lessons I learned from Marvin Bruneau
By Virgil Wind, Chief Executive
Almost five years ago when I was a newly elected Representative, Marvin and I became close friends. We spent hours outside of business hours talking and discussing what it meant to be a leader. I have always believed that everyone who comes into our lives is there for a reason. Marvin was there to guide me.
There were two lessons he taught me that I hold dear. First, he always talked about the reason people get into the leadership role. He said there are two types of leaders. One gets into leadership for the right reasons and the other gets into it for the prestige. He said always make every decision for the right reasons.
Second, he was a great example of how to remain calm. He rarely ever showed if he was upset and was always the calming soul I needed as I transitioned into my new life. I honestly believe he helped me learn these lessons. I wouldn't be the same without him.
Thank you, Marvin. You will be greatly missed and if you have time to look us up, you will see these lessons were not lost.
Marvin Bruneau: A legacy of leadership, wisdom, and service
By Wendy “Bebiskaneyaashiikwe” Merrill, District II Representative
Marvin Bruneau, the longest-serving District II Representative for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, was a man of unwavering integrity, quiet strength, and profound wisdom. To those who had the honor of knowing him, Marvin was far more than a leader — he was an inspiration of leadership, a mentor, and a true friend.
His dedication to the Mille Lacs Band was unmatched. With a steady voice of reason and a sharp, thoughtful mind, he guided our community through challenges with grace and determination. His wisdom shaped the hearts of many, and his years of tireless service will be remembered for generations. To me, Marvin was more than a predecessor — he was my mentor. His sharp intellect, thoughtful guidance, and deep compassion left a lasting impact on my life.
Marvin taught me that true leadership is not about power — it is about supporting, listening, and encouraging. His un wavering belief in me throughout the years shaped who I am as a leader. The seeds of wisdom he planted will continue to grow in the hearts and minds of all those he mentored and inspired. Marvin’s passing leaves an unfillable void in the hearts of many. His family, the Mille Lacs Band, his colleagues, and the countless individuals he touched will carry forward his legacy of service, compassion, and integrity.
I will forever cherish his counsel, his laughter, and the respect he offered so freely. His memory will continue to inspire me to lead with the same dedication, wisdom, and heart that he had.
About Marvin Bruneau
By Adam Candler, Senior Federal Government Advisor
Marvin was a special, one-of-a-kind human being. He was deeply empathetic. A few years ago, I got word that my dog had passed away while I was on the phone with Marvin. His immediate response was, "You'd better go, I know what that feels like." That was Marvin. He was always putting himself in other people's shoes. I will miss him deeply.
After Marvin's final term as District Representative ended, he called me laughing. He said he'd just realized that his previous couple of years were spent in the land of Oz. In Marvin's view, one of my colleagues was the cowardly lion, one was the tin man, and — of course — I was the scarecrow who always thought the sky was falling. It actually hurt me when he said it because I never wanted Marvin to think less of me. But I came to learn he was simply showing me who I really was, and I took steps to grow from there.
Whenever conversations were growing too tense, Marvin would often crack a joke. And he would often preach, "Levity, people. Levity." Marvin was so effective at disarming people with humor and making sure that cooler heads prevailed. It's part of the reason he was such a great leader.