Obituary of Cecilia MANY HEADS (nee Many Bears)

MIISAMINAIMSKAAKI  

(LONG TIME THUNDER PIPE WOMAN)

December 11, 1927 – Siksika, Alberta
January 31, 2021 – Siksika, Alberta

It is with heartfelt loss that we announce the passing of our precious mother, Cecilia Many Heads – Miisaminaimskaaki, of Siksika, AB, on Sunday,  January 31, 2021 at the age of 93 years. 

Cecilia passed away at home in Siksika Nation surrounded by her loving family. Cecilia was a sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend. 

Mom was one of the oldest Elders in Siksika prior to her passing.  Mom was a strong believer of Apistotoki, and in Siksika’s culture, traditions, customs and beliefs; she attended the Sundance annually until she couldn’t anymore. Mom was very humble, good-natured, strong-willed, with a silly personality; she enjoyed travelling to pow-wows afar.  Her education started at Residential School in the 1930’s and after her schooling she entered into the work force employed as a Custodian at the Crowfoot School, Banff Springs Hospital, and later at the General Hospital in Calgary, AB where she retired.  Mom enjoyed travelling to Lac St. Anne Pilgrimage annually, she also had an opportunity to visit the Holy Land in Rome, travelled to United States and Mexico, just to name a few.  Her favorite pastime included word search puzzles, bingo, casino and watching her favorite game show “the Family Feud.”  Mom’s travelling companions and drivers were her daughter Dyan, her sister Cecile, and her friend Rachel Ermineskin.  

Left to mourn her loss are her brother Albert Many Bears, immediate children, Lana Many Heads, Ronald (Terrylene) Many Heads, Dyan Breaker, Arlene (Pete Eng) Many Heads, Jackie Weasel Fat and Jennifer (Bernie Pilon) Many Heads; traditional children, Ann Marie (Leonard) Good Eagle, Laura (Gerald) Sitting Eagle, Helen Flamand and Wynonna Techinten; children that mom raised, Cary, Raymond, Amy and Lindzi Many Heads; grandchildren, who were her care givers, Mataya Many Heads and Taylor Weasel Fat; cousins, Betty (William Mills) and Joan (Lawrence Pantherbone) Poor Eagle; many friends from Siksika Nation and afar, numerous grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Her extended families include the Many Bears, Many Heads, Yellow Fly, Many Guns, Poor Eagles, Crowfoot, Duck Chief, Running Rabbit, Olds, Fox, Big Snake, Rabbit Carrier, Bull Bear, Red Gun, Wolf Collar, Three Suns, Right Hand, Back Fat, Wolf Leg, Royal, Cutter, Scout, Strangling Wolf and Weasel Head. If we missed anyone we apologize as Mom had many relatives. 

Cecilia was predeceased by her parents, Lynden and Dorothy Many Bears; sons,Van Ryan and Jasper Jr. (Anne) Many Heads; daughter Rose Marie Jerace, grandson Lance Jerace; sisters, Marie Many Bears, Theresa (Art) Yellow Fly, Mary (Jack) Running Rabbit, Emma (George) Fox-Many Feathers and Cecile (Matthew) Many Guns; brothers, Edmund (Jean) Many Bears, Jim (Alice) Many Bears, Damien Many Bears and Phillip (Lilly) Many Bears; in-laws, Margaret Running Rabbit and Norma Cat Face; aunties, Beatrice (Joe) Poor Eagle and Margaret Bad Boy; traditional children, Sandee (Dave) Bellegarde/Sparvier and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  Mom is now reunited with all her loved ones and friends she missed so very much.

Wake Services will be Wednesday, February 3, 2021, at Jackie Weasel Fat’s place in Siksika Nation, Alberta; Due to Covid Restrictions Wake will be by invitation only. 

Funeral Service will be held at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Siksika Nation, Cluny, AB, on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Zoom Funeral will take place due to Covid Restrictions.

Graveside Service to follow at the Many Bears Flats Cemetery in Siksika Nation, Alberta. Feast will be drive thru at Jackie Weasel Fat’s place after the graveside service. 

A Special thank you to Dr. Lana Potts, Tessa Jones and Cheryl Sorenson for their time, support and taking care of our precious mom, we are so grateful beyond words; as well as a big thank you to Siksika Home Care, Siksika EMS, Siksika Elders Lodge, and Sagewood Senior Home.  Many thanks to everyone for prayers and support.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Cecilia’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.   

In living memory of Cecilia a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.