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Obituary of Helene Chiniquay
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our matriarch, Eńa, Helene Chiniquay at the age of 83 years.
Helene was raised in Mińi Thńi most of her life and was proud of her traditional upbringing by her parents, Johnny and Sarah Chiniquay. She was the great granddaughter of the signatory, Chief John Che-Ne-Ka of Treaty 7 and was educated in the Yethka traditions, customs, language culture as a traditional knowledge keeper. A keeper of the oral history and traditions that was passed down to her by the Chen-ne-ka teachings. She attended Morley Residential School in her early years and as a survivor of Residential School, she became a strong resilient woman. She was the beloved matriarch for the Chiniki family.
Éna had a quiet nature. She was generous, loving and kind to all who knew her. She enjoyed making dry meat, berry picking, tanning hides, beading, making moss bags, moccasins and dresses. She was involved and practice Yethka traditions and customs, which she shared with her family. She also enjoyed spending time and finding humour in the little things with friends and family. She loved her family and helped raise three of her grandchildren, Trevis, Julian, Jade and her great-grandson, Corey (Whom they had a strong bond.)
She leaves behind her loving daughters, Geraldine (Clayton), Marcella (Peter); her grandchildren, Tiffany, Melanie, Tanzis (Tyren), Alan (Sheena), Chivez (Katie), Ruben, Jade, Tamara (Ellis), Julian, Trevis (Tyra), Chad (Brittany), Wade, Kari (Keely), Daniel, and David; and thirty-four great-grandchildren. Helene is also survived by her sister, Winnifred; two brothers, Paul, and Frank (Marjorie); sisters-in-law, Helen, Eva, and Corrina (Lenny); brother-in-law, Norman; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and more from the Mark, Crawler, Dixon, Powderface, Lefthand, Baptiste, Holloway, Kaquitts, Simeon, Twoyoungmen, Labelle, Wesley, Wildman and Young families.
Family would like to acknowledge her special friends Kathleen Holloway, Violet Amos, Kathleen Poucette, Mary Jane Beaver, Mina Powderface and Charlie Mark.
She was predeceased by her late husband, Alex Jimmy Baptiste; daughters, Rebecca and infant daughter, Michelle; sons, Jimmy and Tommy; two infant grandchildren, Javis and Destiny; two great-grandchildren, Vasily and Liam; maternal parents, Johnny and Sarah Chiniquay; three sisters, Kathleen (Frank), Margaret, and Josephine; six brothers, McDonald (Georgie), Walter, Lawrence (Mildred), Wilfred, Ralph and Johnny; and sister-in-law Sharon.
We apologize if we have missed anyone.
The family would like to thank the Stoney Health Home-care, Canmore General Hospital and Kenny House.
Wake Services will be held at the residence Helene Chiniquay (Morley, AB) on Sunday, March 26, 2023. Funeral Services will be held at the Morley Gymnasium (Morley, AB) on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at Chiniki Cemetery (Morley, AB). Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.
In living memory of Helene Chiniquay, 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.
