Obituary of Donnell Juan Jackson Medicine Shield

April 5, 1978 - Bassano, Alberta

October 10, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

On Tuesday, October 10, 2023, Donnell Juan Jackson Medicine Shield passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness in Calgary, AB.

DJ, as he was known by many, was born in Bassano, AB. He was the oldest of all his siblings, whom he all loved deeply and always wanted the best for in their wellbeing.

DJ's Blackfoot Confederacy family lineage belongs to several clans including Bear Hat Clan, Medicine Shield Clan, and Pelletier from Cowesses and Ochapowace Bands, with family as far as Saskatchewan, Montana, and Texas. He was raised by his parents, adopted parents, as well as all his grandparents, and special aunts and uncles.

In 1997, DJ met the love of his life Dallas, together they had two sons, settling down and raising them in Calgary. He will always be remembered for his greatest storytelling, his great comeback jokes, and his sense of humor, but most of all for his love for his family and friends whom he cherished and would want us all to come together as a family in celebration of his life as one of his last wishes.

Donnell is survived by his loving wife Dallas Sparklingeyes, his sons, Cheyenne and Ryker; his sisters and brothers, Shawna-Lee Medicine Shield, Marla (Curtis) Bear Hat, Richard, Elijah, and Zachary Medicine Shield, Marlon, and Rick II Bear Hat; traditional adopted brother Weyman McMaster, his special adopted traditional parents, Marion Bear Hat and Jack Rowe; mother and father-in-law, Herb and Elizabeth Daniels; aunts and uncles, Alona (Bernie) Theoret (Bear Hat), Georgette Medicine Shield (Eldred), Alanna Many Bears, Krista White (Tyler), Sheila Pelletier, Twila Watcheston, and Melodie (Adam) Willems and Charles Medicine Shield-Saxton; his sister-in-law Tanya White, his great-aunts and uncles, Verona Medicine Shield, Terri Delorme and Sally Johnston; nieces and nephews, Elias Many Bears, Gerard McMaster, Riley Bearchief, and Jonah Geddes; special nieces and nephews, Keili, Seandalyn, Jordan, Shania, Pashence, Knox, Ricky III, Dior, Devon, and Dylan. Special mention to the Bellmont, Eagle Little Chief, and Redman Chee Choo Little Light families. DJ was very close with the Littlelight family. Ellen Littlelight was like a mother to him, and all her children were like his siblings, growing up together closely, which also included Joesph and Franny.

He was predeceased by his parents, Rick Bear Hat and Francine Medicine Shield; his maternal grandparents, Roderick Pelletier SR, Frances and Aloysius Many Bears; his precious twin baby brothers, John and Joseph; paternal grandparents, Patrick I and Alfreda Bearhat; his maternal great-grandparents, Frank and Mary Medicine Shield, and Marie and Napoleon Pelletier; uncles, Warren Cooper Many Bears, Rod Pelletier JR, Shaun Watcheston, Morris, James Manybears, Patrick Bearhat II, Eric Bearhat, Frank Royal, Darrel Royal, and Floyd Royal; aunts, Rhoda Bearhat, Liberty Chipesia (Bearhat), and Ramona Low Horn; and special traditional brothers and sisters (cousins) whom he adored.

We would like to mention his Crow family. If we have missed anybody, we send our apologies. Also, special thanks to the Foothills Tom Baker Cancer Centre and ICU Unit C staff and physicians for their special care, and his special popsicles he loved.

Wake Services will be held at the Gordon Yellowfly Memorial Arbor (Siksika Nation, AB) on Sunday, October 15, 2023.

Funeral Services will be held at Gordon Yellowfly Memorial Arbor (Siksika Nation, AB) on Monday, October 16, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at Crowfoot Cemetery (Siksika Nation, AB). Traditional Feast to follow at Gordon Yellowfly Memorial Arbor. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed at www.MHFH.com.

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