Obituary of Freda WHITE (nee Weasel Fat)

Freda White, Sipioopamo (Sailed In The Night) passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, with her family by her side, onto her final journey to Our Heavenly Father’s Holy presence, after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer.

Sipioopamo was bestowed her traditional name at birth by her father Frederick William Weasel Fat, to commemorate his journey as a fledgling, 18 year old, Kainaiwa Warrior, sailing in the night from Canada to England; often times experiencing a turbulent ocean with his regiment, the 112 CDC Light Anti-Aircraft Battery RCA.

Her traditional name is a story of facing the unknown with bravery and courage, as Freda lived her life with these traits, and was the beloved third child of the eventual 11 children of Verden (Hind Bull) and Frederick Weasel Fat; born on March 12, 1948 at the Blood Indian Hospital, Blood (Kainai) Reserve. She spent her formative years with her pastoral grandparents, Jack Hind Bull and Amy Healy, both Society members with teachings of the traditional ways of life, and attending Sacred Ceremonial Sundance, camping in their tipi, medicinal and ceremonial plant picking during the summer, and other ritual practices.

At the age of 6 years, her life was drastically changed when she was sent to St. Paul’s Anglican Indian Residential School on the Blood Reserve during her first three years and, shortly thereafter, Indian Affairs (as it was known) began Integration at surrounding towns in Fort Macleod, Cardston and Calgary school systems. It was during that time when her love of learning began and, as a young mother, she pursued her dreams of becoming an educator as a career for the next 37 years before retiring.

She lived an adventurous life to the fullest, and searched to find and love a Christian life. Our Creator/God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus became the central part of her being, with her love of God that molded her with kindness, generosity, charity, and a gentle spirit to those she knew and met. She enjoyed special holidays, family celebrations and barbeques, reading, and loved watching curling. In their younger years she and their son Tyler were avid golf players,
travelling to many tournaments across Alberta. She also traveled to other parts of the world with family and through her work.

She married Melvin White of Siksika Nation, and had three children, and both were devastated when their first child Andrea passed away at a few weeks old. Her husband Melvin passed away when both their sons, Tyler and Ian were young adults. She is survived by their first grandchild Drew, whom they both cherished, and their special granddaughter Maddison (called her “Nama”), and special daughter-in-law Krista, all of whom she loved and cherished.

She will also be greatly missed by her sisters and brothers, whom they all loved and were blessed to have as their sister: Ilona (Gordon) Plain Woman, Rose (Arthur) Sweet Grass, Virna (Burton) Many Fingers, Sally Weasel Fat, Rennie Many Guns, Bill (Brenda) Weasel Fat, Terry (Sonny) Wadsworth, Fred Jr. (Carla) Weasel Fat, Dorothy-Pepsi Weasel Fat; and her mother-in-law Mary White, and the White family. She also leaves behind many special nieces and nephews and their children, her extended families from the Blackfoot Confederacy and beyond, and her special friends, Siksika Board of Education, and adopted children (they also called her “Nama”), and her special foster children, and many of her former students.

She also joins many loved ones before her, recently: Carrie and Justin Shade, and numerous nieces and nephews.

We would like to thank Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Siksika Home Care, Siksika Elders Lodge, Chinook Care Centre Hospice, Dr. Potts, Dr. Pamela Chu, and others that took special care for her during her time in need. The family wishes to apologize if we missed anyone and thank you for all the love, prayers, and support you have provided during our time in need.

In memory and honor of our mother Freda, the family will dedicate their time to create cancer awareness through faith. In lieu of flowers and anyone wanting to offer further support, we ask that you kindly make donations to the Siksika Elders Lodge (PO Box 250, Gleichen, AB, T0J 1N0) 403-734-3988.

In living memory of Freda White, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.