Reginald K. "Ningokwad Binesi" DeFoe

Reginald Keith DeFoe, "Ningokwad Binesi," age 68, of the Fond du Lac Reservation in Cloquet, Minnesota died on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. He was born on February 6, 1957, to Leonard C. DeFoe Sr. and Edith M. Peterson. Reggie attended Flandreau Indian High School in Flandreau, South Dakota and graduated in 1975. He furthered his education by attending college. Reggie worked as Director of Resource Management for Fond du Lac. Reggie was also a band member of Nagaajiwanaang. Though he received a cancer diagnosis he continued to live his life to the fullest. He loved spending time with his family.

Reggie enjoyed playing guitar, travelling with Veronica, Ojibwemowin, golfing, chess, basketball, and playing ping pong. Reggie was an accomplished athlete in boxing and basketball. Including "hitting the 3-point shot heard around the world" and in 1986, he won his category in a canoe race along the St. Louis River while Niimiwin Pow Wow was happening. Some things that made Reggie proud included Fond du Lac Reservation being looked at as a very knowledgeable and notable agency in Resource Management and that Fond du Lac is a member of Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. GLIFWC was more respected in its expertise than the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Reggie enjoyed going to work every day. He said everyone in the division was a pleasure to work with. Reggie will always be remembered as a wise and trustworthy man. He always emphasized the truth with candor.

Reggie is preceded in death by his parents; son, William; brothers, Terry, Melvin, and Len Jr.; sister, Cheryl; his Pa, Joseph Peterson; uncles, Melvin and Leo Peterson; great aunt, Ellen St. Germain; and great-uncle, Jim Peterson. Reggie is survived by his siblings, Ricky (Antionette), Cindy (Leonard), and Michael; sons, Reginald "Duck" DeFoe, Vernon White, and Dallon White; many grandchildren including, Leilani, Kendrick, Allie, Maggie, Cassius, Sienna, Caden, Hunter, Jordan, Layla, Katelynn, Rozzy, "Bug" Vern Jr., Eva, Bella, Tessa, Biboonikewinini; and great-grandchild, Ryan. He is also survived by his life partner, Veronica Smith; stepdaughters, Eleanor and Emily Smith, and their children, Davis and Kye.

Services for Reggie will be held at the Fond du Lac Head Start Gymnasium. A traditional wake will begin on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 6:00 pm and will continue until the 10:00 a.m. traditional funeral ceremony on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Interment will be at the Sawyer Cemetery near Highway 210. Arrangements are entrusted to Nelson Funeral Care.