Margaret Plain Eagle

Margaret Plain Eagle passed away peacefully at her residence; surrounded by her family on the Piikani Nation on August 19, 2022. she was 92 years old. she is survived by her children Isabelle Wolf tail, Florence Plain Eagle, Alma Provost, Audrey Little Mustache, Stanford Plain Eagle, Richard (Noreen) Plain Eagle, Beverly (George) Four Horns, Douglas Plain Eagle, Laura (Doug) Iron Shirt, Calvin (Tammy) Plain Eagle, Bree (Tyler) Mutter, Vaness (Shawnee) Plain Eagle, Wade (Crystal) Plain Eagle, Trina (Charles First Rider) Terrance (Renee) Plain Eagle. Her sisters Catherine George, Louise English and numerous Nephews and nieces. 46 grandchildren, 98 great grandchildren 28 great great grandchildren. her adopted son Daniel Crow Shoe. Traditional Adopted Children Kelly Good Eagle, Dr. Sandra Peacock, Ken Armstrong, Day Chief family, Adam North Peigan, Troy Knowlton, Delores Iron Shirt, Doris Kicking Woman, Diane Kicking Woman, Delmyrna Yarlott, Scott Jessen, Amanda Grier, Anne Crow Shoe, Edwin Small Legs, Audrey Sure Chief, Nancy Niles. Special Friends Beth Russel, Dr. Brian Reeves.

She was predeceased by her husband Jim Plain Eagle, her children Judy Plain Eagle, Gary Plain Eagle, Harvey Plain Eagle, Melvin Plain Eagle, Leslie Plain Eagle, Cameron (cabbage) Plain Eagle. Grandchildren Crystal Plain Eagle, Leon Iron Shirt, Jenna Big Bull, Kayleen Pard, Miranda Pard, Wayne Plain Eagle, two great grandchildren Brent and Nadine Iron Shirt. Her father Willy Crow Shoe, mother Laura (The Old Lady) Buffalo. Her brothers David Crow Shoe, Richard Crow Shoe, Jackie Crow Shoe Sr. Joe Crow Shoe Sr., Arthur Crow Shoe. Her sisters Ethel Crow, Elsie Crow Shoe. Her son-in-laws Stanley Small Legs, Nelbert Little Mustache. Her Daughter in- laws Bridgette No Chief, Brenda Pard. Sister Suzy Strangling Wolf, Brother Chris Strangling Wolf, Daughter Daphene Good Eagle. Her brother George Kicking Women and Sister Molly Kicking women, sister Maggie Black Kettle, Maude Prairie Chicken, Jenny Bastien, Patricia Provost.

In 1980 her Daughter Judy passed away. Stanley knew he couldn’t care for the children after Judy’s passing he asked Grandma to raise Vaness, Trina and Wade. She also raised Terrance and Wayne. Mom always said these are my children and souvenir’s they have a special place in my heart. Please don’t get jealous of them.

Mom/Grandma was born in the early morning in a tipi during winter 1931 on the Piikani Nation where she also attended the St. Cyprian Residential School until Grade 6. She left school to be with her father and mother to help at home and assist with the farm.

She learned to cook, sew at residential school… mom said this is what they learned school and she really enjoyed her time at school. Mom/grandma shared great memories from school and never complained of any wrongs from the Anglican Residential school. Mom/Grandma learned her horsemanship and hard work of farming from her mom and dad. She left the school with lifetime friends.

On October 16, 1952 mom married the love of her life Jim Plain Eagle at the St. Cyprian School on the Piikani Nation. Mom and dad had 14 Children and raised them to be strong, humble, kind and always be good to each other.

Mom enjoyed horsemanship and her children were in the rodeo at young ages and until early adult hood. Her daughter Judy was a Barrel Racer, Melvin and Leslie were bareback riders. Calvin started his Indian relay team Anatapsii. Her younger grandchildren participated in the steer riding, sheep riding, wild pony racing and calf riding.

Mom/Grandma dedicated her life to preserving the culture and traditional ways of the Piikani people. It was because of her commitment and dedication that she played a valuable role and advisor in the following;

• Elder advisor to the Federal/Provincial Governments during the negotiations for the Oldman River Dam.
• She was one of the Original organizers and Committee members for the Piikani Celebrations in the early 70’s
• She was an Elder advisor for the Little Bow Project for three years.
• She was a participant and committee member at the Indian Village for the Calgary Stampede for eight years.
• She was an elder advisor to Shell Canada Limited/Devon Energy for five years
• She hosted cross cultural camps for the RCMP, German Delegations and various corporations during the late 1990’s
• Elder Advisor to the PISKUN program at the Head Smashed Inn Buffalo Jump.
• In 1987 she was a culture advisor and participated in the opening ceremonies for the Head Smashed Inn buffalo when the Royal delegation came.
• Instrumental in various resource books for glacier, Waterton National Parks on Blackfoot plants and culture alongside Brian Reeves. Today they are still used as a resource and mom/ grandma legacy will continue through them resources.
• She had dance troop and made their regalia for over four years and travelled with the group throughout Canada and the USA.
• For over 20 years she travelled with the Peigan Eagles Ball Team throughout Canada and USA and played an active role when tournaments where hosted.
• She was the last living member and grandmother of the Feather game ceremony.
• Elder Advisor to the First Nation/Metis Program for the Lethbridge School District #51.
• She received Business awards from Treaty 7 for tipi making business.
• Since 2012 she actively participated for various feather ceremonies for graduation students throughout Southern Alberta.
• She was an Elder Advisor to her Daughters Company White Eagle Wellness.
• She participated with PRDL and Travel Alberta tourism along with Jordan No Chief in 2018 in creating the “CONNECTING TO THE LAND” Alberta’s Castle Provincial Park which is shown Nation Wide.

Mom/grandma loved all her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren. she always called them “my Special Angels”

She loved family get together especially Halloween and Christmas, mom/grandma always enjoyed seeing the joy these holidays brought to her “Special Angels” and always reminded us that we appreciate and be thankful for our many blessings in this journey.

She was an avid Calgary flames fan no matter how their season ended ... even though they were always on the golf course early. Because of her love of Hockey, she always made it to her grandchildren’s hockey games and supporting Hudson, Grayson and Joaquim no matter how cold it was.

She also loved attending and cheering her baby girl Keely at the many Basketball games, camps throughout the years.

Mom/Grandma loved her bingo with she played Bingo up until her illness took its toll, her bingo companions were Richard, Stanford, Vanessa, Shawnee, Wade and Longtime Friend Dale Whitecow.

A special thank you to Jill Brown, RN, Home Care Nurse, Dr. Bev. Burton, Associate Clinic Staff of Pincher Creek, Pincher Creek Hospital Nurses, for the excellent care of beloved mother and grandmother. She truly appreciated each and every one of you.

ITS GOING TO BE HARD TO SAY GOODBYE OUR MOTHERS LOVE WAS ENDLESS SHE WELCOMED AND ADOPTED SO MANY PEOPLE, SHE WAS EVRYONE’S MOM/GRANDMA.

MOM/GRANDMAS SAYING, “THE WORLD IS MY FRIEND” THAT’S JUST WHO SHE WAS.

The family apologizes for anybody that may have been missed. Mom/Grandma was very well known and loved.

A Family Service was held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 15 Ave, Brocket, AB, on Wednesday, August 24, at 12:00 P.M.

The Wake Service was held at the Margaret’s Residence on Wednesday, August 24, starting at 1:00 P.M. until Friday, August 26, at 11:00 A.M.

The Funeral Service was held at Crow Lodge Park, Piikani Nation, on Friday, August 26, at 1:00 P.M. Following the Funeral Service, Margaret was laid to rest at Piikani Nation Cemetery.

The Family Feast was held at the Multi-Purpose Building (Hand-Game Arbor) following the Graveside.

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