Obituary of Louise Margaret Meguinis

Louise Meguinis, passed away on October 2, 2008 at the age of 55 years. Louise will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved her. She had a personality that lit the darkest room. She accomplished many things in her life such as being an educator, RCMP officer and most of all, mother, sister and daughter. She graduated high school at the age of sixteen. Louise broke all post-contact barriers to form a woman’s singing group, “Bullhead Singers,” of which she was the lead singer. Until Louise formed that group, working for the recognition of women singers with voices of love, joy, and sorrow, a part of the circle that creates the power of First Nation’s peoples way was cut off. She broke gound. She opened the path for your grandmother’s, mothers, aunts, wives, and daughters to rise again. She swept the path of reclamation, clearing the obstacles for you, your relations, and friends could be privy to the healing strength of Mother Spirit’s voice. Part of Louise’s legacy is her incredible love and passion for her own people. She would work and advocate for traditional ways; but how she took that giant heart of hers and applied her compassion was what made each of us feel special and acknowledged around her. Louise would extent her giant heart and embrace her children, her family….YOU. No matter how much was going on in her life she would only have to hug, laugh, speak or sing sweet words and you would feel brushed by the down of a White Eagle. Talented to the core, Thunder Woman was shown the door to the world with her gifts. But she chose family. She chose her people. If anyone had the insight for injustice, it was Louise. She could speak a thousand words in one sentence or she could sing healing in just one note. One note – if we can resonate in just one we are all better off. Louise is survived by her daughter Kylie Meguinis (Lenny Cardinal), son Dustin Aberdeen, father Mike Meguinis. Also by her grandchildren, Sky, Grayden, Emily, Summer, Carrie, Wyatte, Hope, Nicholas, Racquel and Jaden. Brothers Michael Meguinis (Violet), David Meguinis (Jackie), her sisters Norma Littlechild (Earl), and Rene Rollingmud. Aunts Norma Crane, Hazil Cutknife, Rosie Houle (Jerry), Dorothy Samson (Harvey), Mary Jane Starlight, Audrey Pipestem, Rose Pipsetem, Donna Rowan (Gerald), Cecilia Jacobs and Eliza Eagletail (Freddy). Uncles Frank Large, Wilson Okeymow, Clarence Cutknife, John Pipestem (Delphine) and Ben Cutknife (Shirley). Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins from Tsuu T’ina, Samson, and Saddlelake. She was predeceased by her daughter Cherri Lou Meguinis, her loving mother Emily Meguinis, brother Harvey Meguinis, grandmothers Bessie Meguinis and Eva Cutknife, grandfathers Sam Marie Large, and David Okeymow. Also by her aunts Mary Lightening, Sarah Meguinis, and Helen Meguinis, and uncles Walter Meguinis, Willie Little Bear, Philip Meguinis, Narcisse and Clarabelle Pipestem. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at the family residence for a tradional service, and pipe ceremony on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at 9 a.m. Wake Services will be held at the residence of Mike Meguinis (Tsuu T’ina Nation, AB) Sunday, October 5, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church (3700 Anderson Road S.W.) on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Traditional feast after funeral services at Mike Meguinis’ residence. In living memory of Louise Meguinis, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.