Obituary of Charles Roderick Powderface

Wa-hi-yung-gah-ze-thkan (White Plume)
February 7, 1949 – Morley, Alberta
November 17, 2021 – Morley, Alberta

Charles (Ade) Roderick Powderface passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at the age of 72 years after a courageous battle with cancer. 

Ade was born on February 7, 1949. He was a descendant of hereditary Chief Peter (Ta-Otha) Wesley, and the hereditary Chief John Cheneka. He grew up loving and living the traditional way of life and lived it throughout his life. Charles was a pipe holder,  knowledge keeper, spiritual healer and shared his knowledge of traditional teachings knowing that wa-kâ is one. He had quite the sense of humour and liked to tease and lift the spirits of whomever he met. The most important thing in Ade’s life was his family, and he will be lovingly remembered for his selflessness, kind heart, honesty, and integrity.

He received his education at Morley Residential School, Exshaw School, and in later years at Mount Royal College. He was a hard worker all his life. He started off at Kananaskis Experimental Station, Exshaw Loaders Lime, and helped in building the Highway 40 from Morley to K-Country, and from Scott Lake Hill, Deadman’s Flat, Lake Louise Junction, and Highway 93 close to Nordegg. He went off to be a Sawyer Operator at a Portable Morley Sawmill, as a Special Police Constable for Stoney Tribal Police, as a Ranch Hand at Chiniki Ranch, also as an Elder liaison worker with Chiniki Housing and the Cultural Centre at Smitty’s restaurant. He worked as a traditional land use Study Interpreter as well as being a member of the Treaty 7 Council Committee. Of his many accomplishments, he was extremely proud to be a Councillor for the Chiniki Band of the Stoney Nation. He advocated for a wellness centre to be built in Morley, and to bring wellness to the community.

Ade excelled in many different sports. In his early years he started out in boy’s steer riding and eventually moved into bareback riding and team roping. He played hockey for the AA Bow Valley Legionnaires, for the Morley Tomahawks from 1967 – 1988, and played in the Las Vegas Old Timer’s Hockey Tournament. He participated in horseshoe tournaments, won in pool championships from 2019 – 2020, played baseball and tried his hand at golf.

He was one of the original singers of the drum group Chiniki Lake Singers, which formed in 1977 and was the first International Canadian Drum Group to win the championship in 1983 at Bismarck, ND, USA. They were also the first drum group to incorporate spoken words into their songs. He travelled the Pow Wow trail over the years across Canada and the USA. 

Although we will deeply miss him, his humour, and his unconditional love, we take consolation in our lifetime of fond memories. 

Charles leaves to mourn his beloved wife of 54 years, Mina, their children, Teresa (Arthur), Jackie, Laverne, Charles Jr. (Clara), Garrett, Mojo (Ken), Delphine (Joseph), Delilah, Lucy, Brenda (Kent), Crystal Chief, Geraldine, and Deanna (Charles); grandsons Crazy Horse and Silas (Tamsyn); and granddaughter Ganita (Nathan).  He will be sadly missed by his grandchildren whom he treasured, adored, and loved so much, and would do anything for them: Kara (Tyson), Travina (George), Sonny (Celine), Tyrell (Danielle), Lane, Rashaun, Nicole (Johnny), Jade (Alisha), Jaisyne (Mackenzie), Keenen (Jamie), Loni (Titus), Pernell, Charlize (Darren), Sky (Brett), Ivana (Jayce), Allesha (Jan), Samantha, Tinena, Shania; 22 great-grandchildren; adopted brothers Bruce Starlight (Deanna) and family, Marvin Big Plume Sr., Adam Joseph, Henry Raine, John Bull, Cameron Alexis (Kathleen), Waylon Bird, Alvin Manitopiyes, Reg Crowshoe (Rose); father-in-law, Lawrence (Lori Ann) and family; adopted sisters, Violet Amos, and Suzette Bull; brothers-in-law, Ollie (Laine) Elliott, Lawrence; sisters-in-law, Evangeline (Van), Florence (Bruce), Christine. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, as well as family in Morley, Big Horn, Eden Valley, Paul Band, Alexis, and Maskwacis. We apologize if we have missed anyone as there are many family members. 

Charles was predeceased by his parents Frank and Caroline; grandparents, Moses and Mary, Johnny and Annie; sisters, Shirley, Josephine, Joycelynn, Norma; brothers, Moses, Gerald (Velma) and Willard; twin brother Clifford; grandchildren, Vance and Angel; in-laws, Paul (Lily); brother-in-laws Michael, Rudy, and Vern, and adopted daughter Wanda Beaver. 

Wake Services will be held at the residence of Mina Powderface (Morley, AB) on Monday, November 22, 2021 and Tuesday, November 23.  Funeral Services will be held at the residence of Mina Powderface (Morley, AB) on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at Chiniki Cemetery (Morley, AB).  Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Ade’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

Special thank you to the Rocky View General Hospital Unit 93 doctors and nurses and to Morley Home Care nurses Suzanne, Krista and Stephanie for all of the care they provided to Charles.

In living memory of Charles Powderface, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Cochrane, 369 RAILWAY STREET, COCHRANE, AB T4C 2E2, Telephone: 403-932-4740.