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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Michael
Chapman
October 9, 1959 – February 27, 2016
Obituary
Michael Chapmen was born on October 9, 1959 to Arthur and Lucille (Beauprey) Chapman. He passes onto the Spirit World on February 27, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. Michael was a vibrant personality who was passionate about helping the Menominee community and serving as an advocate for Indian Country.
Michael grew up on the Menominee Indian Reservation, attending St. Joseph's School. He later attended UW-Green Bay and Madison and graduated from NAES College in Chicago, IL. From the humble beginnings of a young boy growing up on the reservation, he created a career path in which he eventually directed four national organizations; worked for three U.S. Presidents; raised over $250 million for Native causes, and served as Menominee Tribal Chairman in 2005. He remains one of the leading authorities on fund raising and public relations in Indian Country.
Early in his career he was President of the American Student Association, then the largest youth organization in the world; Communications, Deputy, and Acting Director of the National Congress of American Indians, the oldest and largest American Indian organization; he served as the Staff Advisor to the President's Commission on National and Community Service, Coordinator of the White House Conference on Indian Education, Expert Consultant to the Indian Arts and Crafts Board and Special Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner and the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs in the Department of Interior during President Clinton's administration. In 2009 he founded UNRESERVED: American Indian Art and Fashion Alliance in New York City, an organization devoted to broadening opportunities for American Indian artists. Michael also helped launch ASCENT: Leading Multicultural Women to the Top, a corporate leadership program academically anchored at Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business. He also served as an advisor to The Flying Eagle Woman Fund and served on the following boards: Americans for Indian Opportunity and Indian Country Conservancy, among others.
Michael grew up on the Menominee Indian Reservation, attending St. Joseph's School. He later attended UW-Green Bay and Madison and graduated from NAES College in Chicago, IL. From the humble beginnings of a young boy growing up on the reservation, he created a career path in which he eventually directed four national organizations; worked for three U.S. Presidents; raised over $250 million for Native causes, and served as Menominee Tribal Chairman in 2005. He remains one of the leading authorities on fund raising and public relations in Indian Country.
Early in his career he was President of the American Student Association, then the largest youth organization in the world; Communications, Deputy, and Acting Director of the National Congress of American Indians, the oldest and largest American Indian organization; he served as the Staff Advisor to the President's Commission on National and Community Service, Coordinator of the White House Conference on Indian Education, Expert Consultant to the Indian Arts and Crafts Board and Special Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner and the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs in the Department of Interior during President Clinton's administration. In 2009 he founded UNRESERVED: American Indian Art and Fashion Alliance in New York City, an organization devoted to broadening opportunities for American Indian artists. Michael also helped launch ASCENT: Leading Multicultural Women to the Top, a corporate leadership program academically anchored at Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business. He also served as an advisor to The Flying Eagle Woman Fund and served on the following boards: Americans for Indian Opportunity and Indian Country Conservancy, among others.
Michael eventually returned to his homeland, the Land of the Menominee, continuing his life of public service. Michael served on the Menominee Tribal Legislature and was elected Chairman in 2005. At the time of his passing he was active within other areas of the Menominee Community, serving in the following capacities: Menominee Tribal Enterprise Board of Directors, College of Menominee Nation Board of Directors, Menominee County Board of Directors, Veteran's Committee, and numerous tribal committees.
Michael is survived by his siblings: Patricia Chapman of Wilmington, NC; Larry (Annette) Chapman; Jerry (Patricia) Chapman; Carrie (Guy) Peters; and Barbra (Louis) Kakwitch; numerous nieces and nephews including a special nephew, Gerome Samuel Peters Jr. and special niece/God daughter, Cayley Sue Chapman, all of Keshena. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Lucille Chapman, his brother Paul Richmond, and also by Dr. Beatrice Medicine and Wilma P. Mankiller, two friends who he conspired with on many fronts.
He is further survived by many dear friends including Miguel Bustos, Gail Small, Nirmala Narine, Annabelle Toledo, Faith Smith, Felice Neals, JoAnn Chase, Pet Martin, Lynn Skenadore, Lisa Waukau, Gina Washinawatok, and Shannon Finley. And, last but not least, LaDonna Harris, his "Comanche Mom" and her AIO family.
A special thanks to the staff of Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee for the compassion with which they cared for him and to Carol Dodge for her kindness.
Visitation will be held at the Neopit Community Center in Neopit, WI, starting at 5:00 pm on Monday, February 29, 2016 until the time of the funeral service. The funeral service will take place at St. Anthony's Church in Neopit at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, March 2, 2016, with a dinner immediately following. Swedberg Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Michael Chapman, please visit our flower store.
Services
Visitation
February
29
Neopit Community Center
Starts at 5:00 pm
Funeral
March
2
St. Anthony's Catholic Church
Starts at 1:00 pm
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