WEASEL MOCCASIN, Alva

WEASEL MOCCASIN

Deep in the heart of the Blackfoot Confederation, a mother of her people and grandmother to many, began her journey to be with her beloved grandson, family and relatives in the place where the Blackfoot call home – the great Sandhills. ALVA WEASEL MOCCASIN, “Ikkinaayoohtowaa” passed away peacefully on May 10, 2021 at her home in Old Agency surrounded by her loving husband Patrick Black Plume, children, grandchildren, and family. Mom bravely faced her illness in a way proud Blackfeet women carry on with their lives – without complaint.

Mom leaves to mourn her husband, Patrick Black Plume; her children, Wylie Weasel Moccasin, Susan (Lynn) Bruised Head, Lance Black Plume, Pam (Donald) Tallow, Lesley (Carla) Black Plume, Willis (Sonya)Beebe, Theresa (Paul) Juillard, Lewis (Cheryl) Beebe, Todd (Tina) Beebe, Deedee White Quills and Tyler Payne. Her Grandchildren, Tyeesha, Shontia (Owen), the late Andre, Kash, Anastasha, Alize, Taylor, Nicholas, Kylar, Owen, Des, Daji, Chris Jr., Eddie, Marnie, Marla, Tatjana, Serenity, Tayus, Baby Wiley, Brandon, Hayden, Aleksey (Bearsy), great-granddaughter Kehlani and she was looking forward to the arrival of her second great-grandchild. Mom’s adopted daughters, Tamara Shouting and Sam Pederson Mom said she never had a daughter but she was blessed with all her nieces. Mom is survived by her siblings, Stewart (Marion) Weasel Moccasin, Andrew Weasel Moccasin Sr., Greta (Raymond Sr.) Many Bears, Wilford Blood, Roseline Weasel Moccasin, Ross Cross Child and adopted sister Maria Russell, Allan (Janet) Black Plume, Cynthia (Ronnie Sr.) Scout, Lester (Alvine) Low Horn, Cheryl (Herman) Scout, Rudy (Tammy) Low Horn, Dale Jr. (Doris) Low Horn, Ethel (Floyd) Low Horn, and Malina (Dewayne ATM) Blood. She also leaves to mourn her aunts, Rosemarie Tail Feathers, Mary Twigg, uncle Donald Big Swallow Sr, adopted father Andrew Weasel Fat, father-in-law Dale Low Horn Sr., and elder Wilton Good Striker. The extended family Wings, Tail Feathers, Twigg’s, Many Chief, Cotton, Eagle Tailfeathers, Calf Robe, Big Swallow, Plume, Young Pine, Hind Bull, Bottle, Chief Body, Standing Alone, Old Shoes, Breaker, Sitting Eagle, Black Kettle, Rider, Little Dog, Old Person. The family sincerely apologizes for any names that may have been missed.

She began her employment with the Blood Tribe in 1987, as the main Blood Tribe Administration receptionist, Finance administrative assistance and Blood Tribe Chief & Council’s Executive Assistant where she was employed until the time of her passing.

She was a loyal and dedicated employee who performed her duties diligently with kindness and compassion. In her 34 years with the Blood Tribe Administration, she witnessed many decisions and changes from a multitude of individuals who occupied leadership positions.

As a wife, mother, grandmother, sister and relative, mom had many, many friends who felt instantly at ease in her genuine and sincere nature. Never was she judgmental instead she offered words of comfort and wisdom, but if one were wrong in their actions, she would find a quiet moment to make the person understand the right way in their decision-making. She was always fair and impartial, yet firm and just in doing the right things for the benefit of all. She taught us by her own actions of kindness, humbleness, generosity and compassion.

Beyond her duties as a tribal employee, mom loved to crochet. During her illness, she made her sister and all her nieces blankets she made them all feel special by hand delivering her gifts to them. During the winter season, mom was a devoted supporter and the biggest fan of her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews at countless basketball games and hockey rinks around southern Alberta. In the traditional way, mom was ever so proud of watching her children and grandchildren dance to the beat of the drum at many powwow and Indian Day’s Celebration. She was known for her singing and she could pull up any song at any given moment. She knew all the society songs and many elders would come up to her to ask how a certain song sounded. Wylie followed in his mother’s footsteps by picking up traditional and ceremonial songs with ease. He was given the knowledge and ability to be a keeper of songs just like how his mother gained these teachings from her dad. After years of these teachings from her parents who kept her feet planted firmly around the drum, even though she wanted to play with the other children, she made the decision to learn an important part of keeping our culture alive. At the time of her dad’s passing, he had asked Andrew Weasel Fat Sr. and uncle Donald Big Swallow to take over his role as father. Both continue their faithful duty to this day.

Mom was born and raised in the heart of the Kainai nation near the sacred Belly Buttes. It was in this place where she lived her life and it is in this place where her spirit now dances in the rhythm of the heat waves of summer, the roll of the thunder and the warm gentle rains. Mom has never been without a grandchild that she believed Andre left before her to greet her when it was her time. She will now have a place beside her beloved grandson Andre. They will now rest together at peace.

Mom was a proud, strong woman and she would want us all to not feel sad but to celebrate the gift of life and the many stories she shared with all of us. We all will carry those precious memories of a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, relative and dear friend. Our world just became that more lonely when you left, Mom, but our hearts grew just that much more with the love and memories we have of you. Thank you for everything you have done for us.

You showed us how life should be lived through your actions. Your spiritual journey with your loving husband brought you to your position as the Mother of your People as the leaders of sacred Horn Society. You fully supported your son Wylie on his own spiritual journey as a member of the Horn Society and a Thunder Pipe keeper, as well as supporting Shontia and Andre who carried the Brave Dog holy rattle and Christopher Jr’s Children’s Black Covered Pipe. Mom loved and cared for us all.

The family would like to thank Dr. Sue Christenson, Dr. Shukoora, Doctors and nurses of the Jack Ady Cancer Centre, Home Care nurses Beth Weasel Fat and Alexis Weasel Head, Blood Tribe Emergency Medical Service for the care and compassion they showed for mom during her battle with cancer.

Mom was predeceased by her grandson Andre Big Snake, parents Dan and Ada Weasel Moccasin; mothers-in-law Lucy Black Plume and Sylvia Low Horn; sisters, Eleanor Delaney, Martina Blood, Joanne Cross Child, Julianna Day Chief, and brothers, Cordell Weasel Moccasin, Daniel Weasel Moccasin and Jarvie Day Chief.

A Family Service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Monday, May 17, 2021 from 4:00pm – 5:00pm. The Wake Service will be held at Patrick and Alva’s residence in Old Agency from 6:00pm – 11:00pm. The Funeral Service will be held at their residence on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at 11:00am. Interment to follow at One Spot Cemetery.

To send a condolence please visit www.legacyfuneralhome.ca.