Aaliyah Hairy Bull (nee Day Chief)

In Loving Memory

Aaliyah Hairy Bull (nee Day Chief)

September 26, 2000 ~ July 16, 2023

Aaliyah Hairy Bull (Day Chief) beloved wife of Nakoda Hairy Bull, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 16, 2023, near Glenwood, AB, at the age of 22 years. Aaliyah was born September 26, 2000, in Lethbridge Alberta to parents Melissa (Grant) Crying Head and Brad (Tamara) Day Chief. While attending Kainai High School, she met her then-future husband, Nakoda Hairy Bull, and graduated in 2020, they married on April 22, 2023. The joy of her life, her daughter Riyah Jean Hairy Bull was born on September 16, 2022.

Aaliyah was born into a spiritual family, first grandchild to her paternal and maternal grandparents, adorned by immediate family, she had everyone wrapped around her little finger. She was a true kipitaahpoohka. She was raised by her grandma Judy Kay as a baby. It was a true blissful bond. Despite medical surgeries as a baby, grandma's love was plentiful, it took the worries and pain away.

Grandma Judy, with the help of Grandma Delia, Aaliyah was introduced to powwow dancing. She had always admired jingle dress dancers and wanted to be exactly like the girls out there, all done up, and shiny. Aaliyah was part of a fifth generation on the Wells side, which started with Great Grandma Harriet Wells and ended with little sweet Riyah Jean. Aaliyah was known as a compassionate, caring, loving person who was very soft-spoken, and when she walked into the room you can feel the sense of peace all around her. Everyone she came into contact with held a special place in her heart, she would go above and beyond for you, that is just who she was.

Aaliyah first attended school at Aahsaopi (Levern Elementary School). She then attended Our Lady of Assumption Elementary School in grade 6. In grades 7 through 9 she attended St. Francis junior high school where she started to create bonds and friendships. Grade 9 through 12 she attended Kainai High School where her friendship bonds went beyond, into “sisterhood.” This is where she met her best friend, the love of her life, her soul mate, Nakoda, at the age of 16. Aaliyah’s first baby was her puppy, Coco. She would take him everywhere and made sure her puppy had a babysitter when she wasn’t around. She bought her puppy all the cutest puppy clothes. It was so funny when she would make Nakoda stay home and babysit. Aaliyah was involved in many sports throughout her school years, which included volleyball, softball, and her favorite, basketball, being a Kainai Lady Warrior. She knew being a Lady Warrior would make her family proud, as numerous of her female relatives from both sides played on the team. She also had a moment with the Fort Macleod Mavericks softball team. Being such an all-around sports player, she found horseback riding, which became a type of therapy for her, a release that made her feel whole and in more control of life. Aaliyah was encouraged by the KHS Teachers & Staff, also by her uncle Darryl and both sets of parents. Then she finally graduated with the Class of 2020, Aaliyah Quoted in her philosophy statement "You have the freedom to define who you are, find your passion, don't give up, life is hard work, there is no easy way out, be responsible and respectful, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF"

She was very amazed by her accomplishments, and her determination to achieve and to strive for her High School Diploma. Aaliyah was pressed for time, she completed her assignments within a month and a half, which should have taken her 6 months. Such a proud moment for her and her family. This was an awesome achievement, a milestone she was proud of. Aaliyah made numerous friendships throughout her journey which led to her makeup addiction. She always had to be up to date with the latest fashion and trends, which she was well known for. Her favorite pastime involved food. Aaliyah was always snacking, eating junk food, never without a Pepsi. Spending time with family is something she loved, especially if it involved food. Going on outings and adventures, especially with her siblings, stepping up and taking that motherly role, was just something she was known for. Teaching Bexley to walk and talk, and babysitting while she gave her parents time to themselves was appreciated. All her siblings cherished her for being more than a big sister but being that person that they can all go to. Before her dad had other children, she took Maleek and Kix as her little brothers. As she got closer to extended family, Montana, John-Boy, Felix, Jubei, Tex & Dalton also became her brothers. Aaliyah had the biggest heart and loved each and everyone of her relatives that crossed her path.

Her auntie Courtney played a very important role in her life she became her second mom, her YaYa. She shared the joys of pregnancy with her best friend, her person, her sister, Tenille. These two were inseparable since birth. Wherever Aaliyah was, Tenielle wasn’t too far behind her, protecting her, making sure she was safe, and making sure she was happy. As Aaliyah went on to motherhood, she and Nakoda were given the precious life of Riyah, their baby girl on September 16, 2022. Not long after the birth of Riyah, her first nephew, baby Ezekiah was born. She cherished him beyond anyone, Baby Ezzy was her baby, she loved him just as much as she loved her sister Tenille. To make her dreams a reality, Aaliyah exchanged vows and married her best friend Nakoda on April 22, 2023. Such a joyous occasion to bring both families together, to see their Princess, their Sunshine live her dream.

Aaliyah is survived by her loving husband, Nakoda, and her Precious baby girl Riyah; Mother, Melissa (Grant) Crying Head; Father, Bradley (Tamara) Day Chief; Sisters, Tenille (Cameron) Day Chief, Amber Many Shots, Tahniika Crying Head, Esperanza (Chipper) Wells, Sykora Wells, Zoey, Kayzlee, Skyla and Albertine (TJ) Black Plume; Brothers, Dason Day Chief, Bexley Day Chief, Kylo Day Chief, Babylon Day Chief, Titus (Danielle) Crying Head, Conely Many Shots, Dalton Eagle Bear, Montana, John-Boy, Tex Day Chief, Felix, Jubei Quesnelle; Uncles, Darryl Day Chief, Bryce (Brandi) Day Chief, Seven(Andrea) Quesnelle, Craig (Shannon) Wells, Jon Wells, Steven (Brenda) Crying Head, Byron (Heather) Crying Head and Phillip (Cara) Crying Hea; Aunties, Courtney (Lane) Day Chief, Kasey K Day Chief, Kristy Day Chief, Jennifer Chief Moon, Megan Wells, Crystal (Martin) Curly Rider, Patti and Tanya Crying Head; Grandparents, John and Delia Chief Moon, Edith Ida Wells, and Larry (Donna) Fox, Scotty (Lorna) Many Fingers; Great grandmother, Harriet Wells; Great Uncles, Andrew (Evelyn) Wells, Melvin (Margaret) Wells, Chester Day Chief, Bruce (Carla) Day Chief, Winston (Rene) Day Chief, Tracy (Beth) Day Chief, Perry Day Chief, Barney (Sam) Day Chief; Great Aunties, Laverne Wells, Doreen, Jackie and Carol Crying Head, Patsy Day Chief, Rosaline Crow Shoe, Joyce First Rider, Adeline Creighton, Rose Fox and Audrey White Quills; Adopted Grandmother, Stella Young Pine; Adopted Mothers, Sherri Bird, Eulalia Good striker & Joyce (Gary) Bird; In-laws, Stan & Rose Hairy Bull, Charlotte (Jimmy) Chief Moon; Nieces and Nephews, baby Ezekiah, Aubrey, Cashton, Maleek, Kix, Jovan, Koa, Violet, Iris, Scarlet, Autumn, Darren, Asher, Ariel, Kiler, Dylan, Hunter, Tess, Payton, Brylee, Declan, Kogen, Annie Margaret & Kolten Wells, Noah, Benny, Rush, Zoey, Riley Calf Robe, Dawson Shade, Makaela & Nakoa Wells; Special Friends, Cali and Preslie Creighton, Ciara Day Chief, Autumn Red Crow, Zoey Three Persons, Kaylub Day Chief. In addition to numerous family and friends whom she loved.

Aaliyah was predeceased by her loving grandma, Judy Kay, whom she cherished and loved with her whole heart; Great Grandma, Evangeline Chief Moon, her sister Tawanna Weasel Moccasin; Maternal Great Grandfather, Henry Day Rider Sr.; Paternal Great Grandfather, John (Gertrude) Fox; Great Uncles, Matthew, Arnold & Henry Wells, Jonas & Pat Fox; Great Aunties, Arabella Creighton & Phyllis Fox.

Thank you, everyone, for your thoughts and prayers for Aaliyah’s family and friends! Family apologizes for any names that were missed.

A Candlelight Vigil was held on Sunday, July 23, 2023, on Highway 810, near Ewelme Hutterian Brethren, at 7:00 PM.

A Wake Service was held on Monday, July 24, 2023, at Civic Centre, 67 - 3rd Avenue, Cardston, AB, from 6:00 PM until 11:00 PM.

A Funeral Service was celebrated on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at the Civic Centre, Cardston, AB, at 1:00 PM. Following the Funeral Service, Aaliyah was laid to rest at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Blood Tribe, AB.

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