Vincent Big Bull

Vincent Big Bull

O’nistaina - "Chief Calf"

Dec. 26, 1955 - Jan. 30, 2023

Vincent Peter Big Bull, O'nistaina “Chief Calf”, passed away on January 30, 2023, surrounded by his loving children at the Chinook Regional Hospital at the age of 67.

Vincent is survived by his children, Bambi (Ben) Smith, Sandy and Stryder; grandchildren, Riley, Carson, Harlie, Jennifer, Kenni and Chloe; brothers, Conrad, William (Owna), Andy (Teresa), and Wesley (Delena); sisters, Diane (Steven), Noreen (Richard), Bernice and his special cousin, Jim Potts; aunts Maude Provost, Vera Potts, Jacqueline Big Bull and special God-Mother/Aunt Rose Potts; God children, Sarah Blackwater, Megan Plain Eagle and Andrew Shade, as well as all his loving nieces and nephews and numerous relatives throughout the Blackfoot Confederacy. Special acknowledgements of his beloved pets include horses, Kelowna, Sadie, Whistler, Dude and Harley; his dogs, Naggie, Panzer aka Panties, Tank, and his tom cat Larry and Misery.

He is predeceased by his loving wife, Jenny; sons, Riley and Travis; parents Roy and Beatrice (Potts) Big Bull; brothers, Ronnie and Rodney Big Bull; sister, Sandra (Big Bull) Grier; nephew, Conrad “Patches” Provost (Big Bull); uncles, Mills and Andrew Big Bull, Jerry, Henry, Tyrone Sr., Bruce, Melvin and Kenneth Potts, and Don Streimer; aunts, Elizabeth Potts, Margaret Water Chief, Maureen Stewart, Betty and Esther Big Bull, Kathleen Grant and Violet Striemer; grand-parents, Willy and Jane Big Bull, Peter and Nellie Potts; sister-in-law, Penny Big Bull.

In 1967 Vincent and his brothers Rodney, Andy and William, lived with the McCollister family in Pincher Creek, where they remained close with over the years. However, Vincent’s fondest memories were of living in Brocket with his parents, siblings, and grandparents, where he would often care for his younger siblings. Not seen as a chore, Vincent would remind siblings there was little choice and they were products of his experiments. He spent many years at the CY Ranch with uncle Jerry and his family, including when he would run away from home. There with uncle Jerry, he furthered his love of horses, riding from sunset to sundown. Vincent’s time spent with “the old people”, grandpa Willy and grandma Jane, were special memories that included working grandpa’s horses to deliver water and wood to those in need throughout the community. Vincent always passed down stories, teachings, and the Blackfoot language to family and those who would listen.

Upon meeting Jenny, the love of his life, his life would be forever changed. Beginning their lives together in “the shack”, they brought home their first child Bambi, and a year and a half later their second, Sandra. They would eventually move into their forever home in the “Haylease” as their family grew, at the southeast end of the reserve. Soon Travis would be brought home to complete their family. Later they were blessed with a second son Riley, but sadly he passed unexpectedly at the time of his birth. An unexpected miracle would eventually occur with the adoption of Stryder, who was three days old at the time. Vincent lived for his children and his hard work demonstrated this while always providing for his family. Eventually, Vincent became a grandpa and his world would then revolve around his grandchildren who were his pride and joy.

As a jack of all trades, Vincent never refused a challenge. He was passionate about ranching, mechanics, and long-haul driving. He drove the handy bus and school buses for many years in Piikani, and was most proud of his work with the Oldman River Dam, hauling grain for the Piikani Nation and as an employee of Piikani Public Works. However, his favorite job was coaching hockey for his son Travis and the numerous Piikani youth he supported. Upon the birth of his son Travis, many said Travis was born with skates, as hockey was an obsession to Vincent. He would attend every game of Travis’s, and eventually coaching his team to bring championships back to Piikani, including baseball, as a long-time member of the Piikani Minor Sports Association. These golden years for Piikani minor sports were due to the passion and dedication of parents like Vincent and Jenny, who would spend endless hours volunteering time at concession stands, fundraising and travelling with the teams. The Piikani community will forever be grateful for the efforts of Vincent Big Bull.

Vincent and Jenny’s home was always open to all of their family, especially their nieces and nephews who were very dear to his heart. His closeness to his siblings, aunts and uncles was demonstrated in his routine attendance to all family functions throughout the entirety of his life. Not only did he diligently support his own children, but he was the best and most loving uncle to his nieces and nephews. Over the years, he would establish his homestead to pass down his horsemanship knowledge to his children, nieces, and nephews at his brandings, teaching of fencing, and breaking of horses. He was a proud cattle owner and carried on the age-old traditions of being a Blackfoot horseman with an abundance of horses throughout his lifetime. Vincent, you will be forever remembered and missed.

The family would like to acknowledge the efforts and care of the Chinook Regional Hospital staff and doctors who took loving care of Vincent at the time of his passing, and to the Piikani Nation community for their many gracious donations. The family also apologizes to anyone who may have been missed in the acknowledgements.

An All-Night Wake Service was held at Piikani Lighthouse Fellowship Church, 14 Ave, Brocket, Alberta, on Monday, February 6, 2023, beginning at 10:00 A.M.

A Funeral Service was held at Piikani Community Hall, 17 Ave, Brocket, Alberta, on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at 12:00 P.M. Following the Funeral Service, Vincent was laid to rest at Piikani Nation Cemetery.

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