WEASEL HEAD Frank
Posted: June 12th, 2015FRANK WEASEL HEAD/Miiksskim was born at the Blood Indian Hospital, Blood Reserve, Alberta on October 29, 1938, to Pat/Mokakin and Paula/Poona Weasel Head. In his early years Frank’s family resided with his paternal grandparents – Mr. and Mrs. Jack Weasel Head at their homestead in the Belly Buttes area. In 1948 he moved with his parents to the Bullhorn area.
Frank owned several Blackfoot names as part of our customs and traditions. His childhood name was Naatohkoo; he then changed his name to Naamowa’sitaa upon the transfer into the “Back Side to the Fire Medicine Pipe Bundle”. He obtained his grandfathers’ name Taatsikiipoyii/Iron, and his great-grandfather’s name Kiisoom. Most recently he acquired the name Miiksskim/Iron.
At the age of 7 years old, Miiksskim was sent to the St. Mary’s Indian Residential School until grade 9. He then ,went to school in North Battleford and Campion College in Regina, Saskatchewan, where he completed grade 12. He returned home and completed business studies at Henderson College in Lethbridge, Alberta. His brother, Pete, fondly remembers when Miiksskim hitchhiked home from Saskatchewan with 10 cents in his pocket! His wife Sylvia confirmed this story and added that the good citizen that brought Miiksskim home was very kind.
He married Sylvia nee Fox on October 10, 1975. Frank and Sylvia moved to their homestead on July 1st, 1980. Frank then joined Sylvia’s ranching business and bought cattle and began ranching. In 1985 Frank and Sylvia bought their first quarter horse and the racing bug hit him for 10 years. His favorite race horse was Oak Trees Ruff Enough, who won several AQHRA races. Miiksskim partnered in this venture with his brothers and several nephews. Miiksskim participated in timed-rodeo events, following in the footsteps of his father, Mokakin, a saddlebronc rider.
His employment began as the office manager with the Blood Tribe Administration, when it was located at the Cardston Post Office. He worked with the Alberta Communication Society in Edmonton, Alberta. He returned home and worked with Kainai Industries. Miiksskim assisted Tribal ranchers and farmers while he worked for Alberta Indian Development Corporation on the Blood Reserve starting in1982. For health reasons Miiksskim had to retire in 1992.
In 1961, Miiksskim continued the ancient tradition of taking the Back Side to the Fire Medicine Pipe Bundle. In 1976 his brother Moses took the same Pipe bundle. In 1981, while in possession Moses passed away. Miiksskim gladly filled in to care for the Pipe Bundle, until it was transferred in 1986.
He first belonged to the Horn Society in 1972, with his friends The Magpie Society/Mamia’tsikimiikski. In 1985 Miiksskim rejoined as a partner, where he helped his nephew and his nephew’s wife, Bruno and Corrine Many Bears. At the most recent Horn transfer Miiksskim advised and supported many new members, especially his family members who joined.
In 1995 Miiksskim became a founding member of the Mokakin Foundation. Miiksskim was a serving board member at the time of his passing. In 1997 Miiksskim repatriated Naamaahkoinimaan bundle, from the Peabody Museum, Boston, MA. He asked members of the tribe if anyone wanted to take care of it. When no one could be found, Miiksskim and Sylvia became holders in May, 1998. In 2001 Miiksskim transferred Naamaahkoinimaan to the late Narcisse Blood and Alvine Mountain Horse. Miiksskim continued to work with the late Narcisse Blood in the Shirts Project travelling to England and Scotland.
Miiksskim was instrumental in assisting the Tribe in the successful repatriation of a number of religious artifacts from the Peabody Museum, Boston, Ma, The Smithsonian Institute in New York, NY, and various museums in Washington DC & Denver Co. He devoted his life to the Tribe in the relentless pursuit of preserving the Tribe’s culture, traditions & customs.
His testimony as a key witness during the Aker’s land Claim Indian Claim’s Commission Hearing helped in the successful settlement of the claim. His knowledge of oral history also contributed towards the on going negotiations of several other claims. He was scheduled to testify in the upcoming elder’s hearing on the Tribe’s Big Claim.
Up to the time of his passing he was working with the Blood Tribe’s Traditional Land Use Department & was with the Red Crow Community College’s Elder’s Advisory Group. Ni’tsitapi stories can be heard at the Glenbow Museum, where Miiksskim sat on the Elder’s Advisory Committee for the permanent installation of the Ni’tsitapi display.
Miiksskim is survived by his beloved wife Sylvia. His children: Keith/Keon (Linda), Roland (Phyllis), Paula (Shaun Olsen), Ronnie Leduc, Wade Leduc, adopted children: Connie Wells, John (Debbie) McDougall, Noreen (Lloyd) Price, Karen (Stuart) McDougall, Pat (Sandra) McDougall, Brenda McDougall, and Eugene (Kitty Belle) Fox. His youngest brother, Peter (Wanda) Weasel Head and his youngest sisters: Teresa (Tony) Fox, and Celestine Twigg. His bother’s in-law: Richard (Mabel) Fox, Ed (Charlene) Fox, and Grant (Vicky) Fox.
His grandchildren include: Matt, Robert, Josh, Kathy, Jeremiah, Kayleen, Lisa (Curtis), Cassondra, Samantha, Cynthia, Jessica, Desirae, Brittany, Kolbe, Tatanka, LilyAna, Amber (Jamie), Sekoya, Kimowan, Kehiwa, Christopher (Shannon), Ethan, Draven, Desmond, Daylin, Gabriel, Franklyn, Jaden, Nicole, Haven, Astrahjihah, Nikkina (Suzanna), Melanie, Shawn, Tiffany, Lacey, Derrick, Darcie, Kennedy, Kodi, Morning Sky, Kenden, Charlie Russell (Bryn Singer), Alex Reed Russell, Mike Tail Feathers, Makayla Scout, Lance McDougall, Vanessa Eagle Bear, Buddy Eagle Bear, Aeron Wells. Darcy Weasel Head, Sharlee Scout, Montana and Ty Fox. He is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces, relatives, and friends, who sought his Spiritual advice and support.
Frank was predeceased by his parents: Pat Sr. and Paula (nee Iron) Weasel Head. His children: Frank Jr. and Adlarde Weasel Head. His brothers: Mike (Mary Louise) Oka, Robert Weasel Head, Charlie Sr. (Irene) Weasel Head, Pat Jr. (Annie) Weasel Head, Moses Weasel Head; his sisters Margaret (Jack) Many Bears, Gabrielle Weasel Head, Isabel Weasel Head, Mildred Weasel Head, Helen (Martin) McDougall, and adopted sister: Gertrude (John) Fox. His Father and Mother In-law: Alex and Josephine Fox, Brother in-Law Floyd Fox and Sister-in law Juliana (James Jr.) Wells.
A Wake Service will be held at the Kainai High School, Blood Reserve on Friday, June 12th from 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held at the Kainai High School, Blood Reserve on Saturday, June 13th at 11:00 a.m. Interment in St. Catherine’s Cemetery.
Email condolences to: legacycardston@gmail.com
So sad to hear about the passing of Frank Weasel Head. I will always remember his kindness and generosity and most of all his wisdom. With warm thoughts of a life well lead. Seema.
Frank was one of the finest human beings I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He was a good friend and colleague. Everyone who has known him or worked with him will remember him fondly as a highly intelligent, thoughtful and articulate person with a great sense of humour. We will all miss him greatly. My sincere condolences to Sylvia and the rest of Frank’s family.
Sorry for your great loss. I was googling Frank Weasel Head because my husband’s brother was named Frank, who is now deceased. Their family migrated from the Blood reservation to the Blackfoot Reservation in Montana then my husband’s father led horses to trade on the Confederated Salish/Kootenai Reservation where he met his wife and had 12 children. His wife was Pend d’Oreille and is deceased. I worked on my husband’s ancestry but came to a dead end. His father’s name was Joe. Any ideas about continuing to find more ancestors would be helpful. Thank you.
Sorry for your great loss, too. Thanks for this article and info about Weasel Head Frank / Frank Weasel Head
I attended St.Thomas College in North Battleford Sask 1954 to 1957. There I had as a classmate one, Frank Weaselhead. I also have a photograph of those years that I have carried with me. It shows Frank and I dressed in suit and tie. We were in our early teens at that time. I belong to the Dene Nation of northern Saskatchewan. In scrolling the computer, I found out that he had passed on circa 2015. Very sad to hear that. I last saw him and met him at an Indian Gathering in Cree country Saddle Lake or something like that in 2007 or thereabouts. I was an elected chief of my Band at that time. I am the same age as he was born 1938, residential school survivor at Beauval in Saskatchewan. May he rest peacefully.