MILLS, Collin

MILLS

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Collin “CJ” Mills Jr. announce his sudden passing on February 15, 2021 in Cardston, AB at the age of 20 yrs old.

CJ was born on April 10, 2000 in Cardston, AB to Collin Mills Sr. & Rose Marie Cutter/Gros Ventre Boy. CJ attended the Cardston Elementary School then moved on to Cardston Junior High from grade 7-9. He also attended Kainai High School after meeting good friend Raymond First Rider and eventually transferred to The Kainai Alternate Academy where he encouraged friends to attend as well.

CJ inherited his shy yet humble characteristics from his mother and had a way of drawing you in and letting you feel comfortable with his contagious and warm smile. CJ truly lived life to the fullest through the simple pleasures in life and embraced challenges full on. CJ was very close and looked up to his older brother Atraol. Anywhere Atroal went, CJ was almost always with his brother. They enjoyed hanging out with cousins, friends and family, often listening to music, talking, and playing video games. CJ was known to never back down from a dare, no matter how crazy the situation was. Cardston is a small town but he never failed to find something to do. CJ enjoyed skateboarding, bike riding, and playing basketball at the elementary school in the spring, summer and fall. He also enjoyed playing ground hockey, ice skating and sledding in the wintertime. Every summer he and his friends and cousins always found a way to go swimming at the many swim spots in and around the Blood Reserve and Cardston areas. As shy as he could be he never shied away from catching a ride to do what he loved, swimming, hanging out and having fun! No matter the day or season, he always had something to stay busy and keep friends and family close.

CJS parents were very protective of him and even as a young adult, his father made sure to keep him close and at home. Family was everything to CJ! In his later years he found out he had older siblings whom he embraced and loved with every bit of him, as he did with those whom he kept close. He developed a strong bond with his brother Christian and on the days he wanted to get away from home, you would usually find him hanging out with his brother Christian at their grandpa Rex Birds place.

Our beloved son, brother, uncle, nephew and grandson, CJ, leaves behind to mourn his passing his parents Collin Mills SR. and Rosemarie Gros Ventre Boy. His siblings: Atraol (Cheryl), Hailey, Payton, Joseph Mills, Christian Fox, Raven Heavy Runner, Jessie (Sam) Many Bears and adopted sister Sherri Crying Head. Numerous Nieces and Nephews. His Grandmother: Judy Mills. Adopted grandmother: Mary Bird-Fox. His Aunties: Jennifer Gros Ventre Boy, Stephanie(Terrance) Gros Ventre Boy, Wanda(Preston) Gros Ventre Boy, Angela(Lawrence) Big Sorrel Horse, Lorna (Merlin) Eagle Plume, Doris(Leslie)Standing Alone, Crystal Mills, Shelley Vielle and adopted aunt Susie Bird. Uncles: Casey Vielle and Ronald Cutter Jr. Adopted uncles: Norman(Stacey) Black Plume, Ryan Bird and Gabe Bird.. His great aunts: Frances Gros Ventre Boy, Faye Mills, Jessie Calf Tail, Doris Bird, Moreen Bird, Doreen Bird, Gail cutter and Floria Duck Chief (Cutter). His Great uncles: David Mills, Alex Mills, William Mills, Gary Bird, Henry Bird, and Wilfred Bird. He also leaves to mourn extended families: Mills, Gros Ventre Boys, Crying Heads, Curly Riders, First Chargers, Hairy Bulls, First Riders, Calling Lasts, Small Eyes, Wolf Childs, Eagle Plumes, Shot both Sides, Mchughs, Cutters, Big Snakes, Calf Robes, Tailfeathers, Bruised Heads, Spotted Eagles,Yellow Flys, Red Guns, Two Horns, Gladstones, Birds, Delaneys both from the Blood and Siksika Reserves.

CJ is predeceased by, his maternal grandparents: Mabel Gros Ventre Boy and Ronald Cutter Sr. of the Siksika Nation. His paternal grandfather: Rex Bird of the Blood Reserve. Uncles: Leslie(Seymour) Gros Ventre Boy, Norman Calf Robe, Billy Mills(Bird), Calvin Vielle and Richard Vielle. Aunt: Leslie Mills. Cousins: Roman Crying Head, Alroy Creighton Jr., Jasmine Vielle, Kurtsy Mills and Brittany Medicine Crane. Great aunts: Cecile Gros Ventre Boy, Rita Calf Robe and Mary Rose Gros Ventre Boy, Mary Big Snake, Marina Yellow Fly, Margaret Red Gun and Miranda Cutter. Great uncles: Beatty Gros Ventre Boy, Donald Gros Ventre Boy, Roland Gros Ventre Boy, Pete Many Fingers and Harold Cutter. The family apologizes if we’ve forgotten to mention any others.

A Viewing will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Sunday, February 28, 2021 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm and Monday March 1 from 9:00 – 11:00 am with a Family Service to follow at 11:00 am. (Due to COVID-19 – Limited people will be allowed in the building at a time.) Interment to follow at Pioneer Cemetery.

To send a condolence or Watch the Funeral please visit www.legacyfuneralhome.ca.