Obituary of First Rider

Siksika Nation community, friends and family are mourning the loss of a young hockey player. Our beloved Ryan Louis First Rider, the only son of Joyce, went home to our Creator on Monday, June 28, 2004, at the tender age of 15. Ryan and his buddies were on their way to play a game of hockey and were unfortunately involved in an accident that took his life. Ryan was born in Calgary on July 7, 1988 and was raised on the Siksika Nation. He attended Siksika Nation High School where he had numerous friends especially his hockey buddies. In his short life, Ryan lived life to the fullest, loved to joke around and to dance. He was best known for his kind heart, gentle ways and his “bottomless pit” stomach. Ryan was a very competitive and skilled athlete, especially in hockey. He aspired to be like his hero, Colorado Avalanche’s Joe Sakic, with whom he shared the same birthday. Ryan had many hockey achievements, which included Gold Medals from the 2003 Treaty Games and the 2002 Native Provincials and on one occasion scored a Hat Trick even after losing his front teeth. Ryan leaves to mourn his mother Joyce; his two sisters, Jill and Kelly; maternal grandparents, Rachel (George) and Clive (Pearline); aunts and uncles, Clyde (Steph), Sam, Chad, Arnold (Judy), Sharon (Wesley), Karen (Eldon), Angel (Erwin), Vera, Grace, Sheila Black, and Eileen Black (Maurice); special sisters, Julia Cutter and Courtney Brass; special brothers, Brody Winnipeg (Adrienne) and Mory Ayoungman; and special Aunts and Uncles Marvine & Larry Winnipeg and Claudia and Dusty Red Gun. Ryan also leaves to mourn his father Calvin (Sam) Steinhauer; little brother Karson; paternal grandparents, Herman and Rita Steinhauer; uncles and aunts, James, Vernon, Bobby, Marshall, Gilbert, Joyce, Koren, Andrea, Valerie, and Shirley; extended family from Siksika Nation, Kainai and Saddle Lake, Alberta; as well as his many friends, including his coaches and teammates from the Siksika Chiefs Midget hockey team. Ryan was predeceased by his great-grandma Albertine Low Horn; uncle Gary Low Horn; and aunts, Hilda Red Gun and Heather Wolf Ear. We will all miss Ryan’s amazing smile and his great sense of humour. Wake Services will be held at the residence of Joyce First Rider, on Friday, July 2, 2004 at 6:00 P.M. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Trinity Catholic Church (Siksika Nation, AB) on Saturday, July 3, 2004 at 2:00 P.M. Graveside Service to follow at Paul Little Walker Cemetery (Siksika Nation, AB). To forward condolences go to www.mcinnisandholloway.com. The family would like to thank Ryan’s friends and all the people from the community who have come out to support the family and share their love of Ryan during this time of grief. In living memory of Ryan First Rider, a tree will be dedicated at Siksika Nation by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W., CALGARY, TELEPHONE: (403) 243-8200.