MINOOSE, Martha

MINOOSE

Our amazing mother, trailblazer, our matriarch, and leader went to join her late husband Maurice Minoose Sr. and their late son, Calvin in heaven, on August 19, 2020. God paints a new picture everyday with hopes and dreams set forth. She walks in beauty with God. Martha earned her angel wings with good long life.

MARTHA OKA MINOOSE, Paatsikai’kana was born at the Blood Indian Hospital on December 17, 1941 and died August 19, 2020. She is survived by her son Maurice Minoose Jr. & wife Yeily & daughter Melody. Her daughter Janice & her husband Kwebb Galbreath their children Matt (Britney), twins Kyler & Bayley. Her sisters Mary Cardinal (Dan), Maves Oka Mitchell, Delroy Oka, & Ronalda Eagle Child (Cyril) and sister in-law Sharon & Bernadette. Also survived by his sister/aunt Odile Day Chief and Bernadette Young Pine. She had an extra special relationship with niece Crystal Oka (Ace) who she called her auntie mom and Andrea Eagle Child & Frances Many Bears. Jason Cardinal her godson, Joe Oka and late Lee Charland nephews were special to her. She is survived by her niece by Laura Charland of Cold Lake. Her extended family from Cold Lake brother in-law Sam & Albertine Minoose & other extended family from Cold Lake Agnes Gendron and Julie Rough and nephew Steve Oliver of England. Martha was predeceased by his parents, Tom Oka and Madeline (nee Young Pine) and his maternal grandparents Joe Young Pine and May Young Pine (nee Fox) his paternal grandparents Mike Oka and Helen Oka (nee Weaselfat); her sisters Leita Big Sorrel, Evelyn Bird and brother Alymer Oka, brother in-law Robert Mitchell, nephew Justin Eagle Child he also called her grandma & Delbert Young Pine, William Many Bears Jr., Thomas Bird; her late mother in-law Adeline Charland, late sister in-laws Lucy Charland & Rita Oliver niece Lisa & nephew Marcus. Martha is a descendent of the Many Children Clan. Our mother has touched many lives it is hard to mention everyone as we apologize.

Martha graduate grade 12 of St. Mary’s Residential School in the first class to graduate grade 12 before classes only went to grade 9. She worked many part-time jobs before attending Nursing School in Olds, Alberta where she graduated as a Register Nursing Assistant. After this she moved to Edmonton and worked at Charles Campsell Hospital were, she met her husband and they married in 1966. In 1978, they moved to Cold Lake where she took a course to drive big rigs and worked along side her husband business. Martha enjoyed bringing her mother in law to Bingo where she began her part-time bingo career. Martha then returned to school in Lac Biche to become a Community Health Representative then began her work on Cold Lake First Nations. After her husband passing, Martha became an elected leader served on Chief and Council of Cold Lake First Nation for 6 years and served as Interim Chief in 1982. She fought vigilantly for our Treaty Rights in the early 1980’s and advocated for education for all. Later she moved home to Blood Reserve to care for her dad and worked in her nursing career. She worked in Tribal Government on the Blood Reserve as a Researcher. Martha had a vast amount of our traditional history on both the Blood Tribe and Cold Lake First Nations a true walking encyclopedia and a true storying teller. She treated everyone extra special and you just felt better. She retired as CHR for the Blood Tribe Dept of Health.

After her retirement her most fulfilling job was her role of grandmother; Her pride was her grandchildren Matthew Minoose and twins Kyler and Bayley. She supported her grandsons in every adventure, holiday and was their best friend instilling her values of unconditional love and kindness. She earned her long life and as she worked hard all her life.

Martha supported her children’s educational endeavors and was extremely proud of her children’s work ethic. She beamed with pride when her daughter Janice obtain educational goal of being a Registered Psychologist. She was proud of her son’s educational endeavors as a meteorologist and most times hold several jobs at once.

Her travel career began early, where she visited many places throughout Canada and United States; one of her best trips was to New Orleans & going with her aunties to Europe on a Holy tour. She traveled to Graceland she just cried when she got there. She had been to Mexico and Cuba a few times. One of her last trips was to support her son in Cuba to celebrate his wedding.

She supported her whole family and went traveling with them as well. Martha Oka Minoose was a true trailblazer, our matriarch and a leader. Her children and grandchildren will miss her tremendously, but she taught them to carry on and to help each other. She was happy to see both her children marry, her grandson graduate and support her twins in all their activities.

A Wake Service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Friday, August 21st, from 4:00 – 8:00 pm. A Viewing will be held on Saturday, August 22nd, from 9:30 – 11:00 am with a Family Service to follow at 11:00 am. (Due to COVID-19 restrictions a limited number will be allowed into the service at a time.)

To WATCH the Service online or send condolences, please visit www.legacyfuneralhome.ca