RED CROW Florence

What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset.
~ Crowfoot, Blackfoot Warrior & Orator
Florence Red Crow -Ii nisskim’ maakii (Holy Buffalo Rock Woman)
June 3, 1930 – May 31, 2013
Surrounded by her beloved family at the Cardston Municipal Hospital, Ii nisskim’ maakii, started her spiritual journey in the early morning when the Sun was rising on May 31, 2013 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She leaves to mourn her children: Barbara, Noreen, Ernestine (Cal), Marie, Patsy and Frank (Annette), adopted children: Charlotte White Quills and Cally Eagle Tailfeathers. Sisters: Pauline Tallow, Bernadette Young Pine, Dolores Gablois, and Agnes and Stella First Charger. Brothers: Leonard (Bernice) Old Shoes, Sidney Young Pine, Vincent and Roderick (Audrey) White Quills, adopted brother: Francis (Judy) First Charger. Florence also leaves to mourn 16 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren. Extended families: White Quills, Calling Last, Long Time Squirrel, Old Shoes, Wells, Many Grey Horses, Crazy Bulls, Bad Mans, Black Plumes, Russell’s and Spotted Bulls.
Ii nisskim’ maakii was born in 1930 at the old Kainai Hospital to Paul (Aapikayis) and Fanny (Ik kinai tsi yiohsi) White Quills. She received her name from Old Man Calling Last (Saakowa’ paoh komii). At the age of two, she was adopted by Peter Big Nose (Omah ksk sii) and Elizabeth Flying About (Iit soy ayo’ka). Her maternal grandfather was Willie Scraping White ( Mako yappi’) and she was a member of the Many Children Clan ( Aakai pokaikis). Florence was a caregiver for father Peter, grandfather Willie and uncle Mike Yellow Bull. The trio of old men had a wealth of experience and knowledge of the Blackfoot Way of Life and exposed their knowledge to her older children; she was bestowed the honor of caring for the Blood Reserve’s most sacred pipe the Mii som akoyi manii (Long Time Medicine Pipe) for four years. Florence was a strong believer in both the Catholic Church and her native religion and traditions. She left the Blood Reserve in 1947 for several years for medical reasons, upon returning she married Clarence Redcrow at the age of 24. Since then she started caring and providing for her close knit family.
Florence was predeceased by her parents Paul and Fanny White Quills, Adopted Parents Peter Big Nose and Elizabeth Flying About, grandfather Willie Scraping White, uncle Mike Yellow Bull, Jim Takes the Gun Strong and Aunt Louise Panther Bone. Brothers: Morris, Author, Dennis, Leo and Eugene Whitequills, sister: Angeline, Jane, Irene Weaslehead, Kathleen Shade and Julia Whitequills. Beloved son Calvin Redcrow, daughter Flora Redcrow, adopted daughter Wendy Whitequills(Manybears) grandchildren: Dave Redcrow, Aldwin Jr. Whitequills, and great grand-daughter Neaveh Redcrow.
The family would like to thank Dr. Taylor, CMH nursing staff, and Clarence Redcrow for his comforting presence. We wish to apologize for excluding anybody that needs to be mentioned.
A family service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge on Friday, June 7, 2013 at 5:00 P.M.
A wake will be held at SENATOR GLADSTONE HALL, Blood Reserve, AB on Friday, June 7, 2013 from 6:00 to 11:00 P.M.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. MARY’S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PARISH, Blood Reserve, AB on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Pawell Andrasz, Celebrant.
Interment to follow in the St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Honoured to Serve
Cornerstone Funeral Home & Crematorium
2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South
Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 7B1
Telephone ~ (403) 381-7777
Fax ~ (403) 381-3128
Toll Free ~ 1-(888)-381-7778
care@cornerstonefh.ca