Albert Churchill, Sr. (Meshakwad) was born on September 3, 1918 to John and Charlotte Churchill. Albert was one of twelve children. Albert had one older brother and ten older sisters with Albert being the youngest. He was born in Aazhoomog [Lake Lena] and lived there for most of his life.
On January 11, 1941 Albert married Bernice [St. John] by a Pine County Justice of the Peace and in the presence of Marion and John Dunkley. They had five sons and two daughters with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He moved his family to Pine City, where he became employed with the Pine County Highway Department where he became skilled in operating large road vehicles and became known for his ability to make gravel roads seem like paved highways. He worked for Pine County for over 20 years.
During his employment with Pine County, he volunteered as Tribal Councilman for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, which was a non-salaried position, at the time. District III was awarded five houses and Albert was asked to find the sites of these new houses. He knew the Pine County Commissioners met monthly and he stepped in to ask for land near Hinckley. As a result, he was awarded 10 acres adjacent to where Grand Casino Hinckley is today.
Albert was a spiritual man. He was a drum carrier, held drum member positions on a number of the ceremonial drums within the Mille Lacs Reservation and he was a practitioner for the Midi Society. Albert was known region-wide for his singing and was a champion moccasin-game player. He often prayed for prosperity and strength for not only the Anishinabe, but for all of mankind. Today, the District stands strong and has prospered beyond anyone’s belief.
He was laid to rest on September 11, 2001 at the age of 83.