Ernestine White Quills (Red Crow) (Iinisskimakii – “Holy Buffalo Rock Woman”)

Sunrise: September 29, 1959                 Sunset: December 6, 2022

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal”

Ernestine departed the physical world as the sun rose to its highest on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at the age of 63 years old, while surrounded by her loving husband and family at the Chinook Health Centre in Cardston, Alberta.

Ernestine left us a legacy of memories that we shall cherish forever, her big smile, laughter, humbleness, kindness and respect, but most of all her love for her family, friends and all who knew her.

Ernestine was raised in a traditional Blackfoot setting and received her name from Makoiyapii/Wolf Old Man/Willie Scraping White. Ernestine completed her education at Cardston Elementary and Junior High Schools and St. Mary’s High School on the Blood Reserve, in 1980. In pursuit of furthering her education, she enrolled at the Lethbridge Community College and achieved a two-year diploma in the Secretarial Science Program and also various other programs.

Ernestine was employed with the Indian News Media for three years, Blood Tribe Family and Community Service for two years, Blood Tribe Fire Department for four years as an EMT, and Blood Tribe Social Development for five years as a Social Worker.

Iiniskimakii started participating in her traditional spirituality by dancing in several Assiniboine Sun Lodges in northern Montana. She then moved into being transferred a Fox Wrap Bundle by Sikstiikakoan and Aapissakii. She cared for the bundle for seven years, then asked to be transferred a Contrary Bundle that was repatriated by our Blood Elders. The bundle was called, Blue Sacred Ochre Split Buffalo Horn Headdress. Kommonoi Sáám is one of four horned headdresses with feather trailers that are worn by the contrary dancers / Aipótápsspiiks in the Horns Society. Kommonoi Sáám was the last of the four to be repatriated. It was located at the Marischal Museum at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland in 2002. Once positively identified by Duane Mistaken Chief in the Fall of 2002 and the subsequent win in court, Duane, Randy & Karen Bottle, along with Frank Weasel Head, returned to Aberdeen in 2003 and the museum, to disassemble, and pack it up to return it to Kainayi. The Kommonoi Sáám was cared for by Marvin & Lydia Mistaken Chief for a year. After that year, in 2004, Duane, and Marvin, along with Lori Healy transferred the rights to Kommonoi Sáám to Calvin & Ernestine, and their A’ahpátssi, Duane Goodstriker. They carried the bundle for ten years.

Upon finishing her transfer career, she transferred into the Kananstomiitaas/Brave Dog Society. She attained the status of being an Elder, who could pass on her knowledge about the Big Holy Society to new members. She also had the right to use any color Ochre and walk in both directions within the Akokatsiin Center Lodge; a right earned when you are transferred a contrary and other bundle of the Big Holy Society. Her holy partners were: the late Ihstitahtapii-Sitting Under Water/ Jordan Chief Moon and Sootana (Rain Chief) Duane Goodstriker.

Ernestine leaves to mourn her departure, her beloved husband, Calvin Williams of 33 years, and her pride and joy, Kendall Red Crow, Hawk (Shavon) Williams, Urijah Knife-Williams, Kevin (Keisha) Knife, Brad Knife and CJ (Tasha) Williams; her precious grandchildren: Kendra, Tailyn Weasel Head, Kadence, Cashton Red Crow, Isaiah, John Day Chief, Josie, Jayda Wells, Denzel Blood, Zander, Kayson Eagle Tail Feathers, Kix, Maaleek White Quills and Grayson Williams;  her first great-grandchild Timothy Glenfield whom she adored very much; her siblings: Barbara, Noreen Red Crow, Franklyn (Annette) White Quills, Patsy (late Ken) Many Fingers, Allison (Jayme), Clarence (Rita), Shawn (Melanie), Henry (Carolla), James, Max (LoriAnn) Red Crow and Rosella (Dion) Doore; her nieces, nephews and great-nieces too numerous to mention; her aunties: Bernadette Young Pine, Delores Gadbois, Pauline Tallow, Edna Devine, Audrey White Quills, Bernice White Quills, Ada Red Crow, Karen Hooper, Sharon (Darryl) Beddome, Veronica Rosie McHugh, Stella Red Crow (Peter Chief Calf), Bernice Scout and Agnes First Charger; uncles: Vincent White Quills, Francis (Judy) First Charger and Steven Wadsworth; her in-laws: Hilda Williams, Linda (Husky) Small Legs, Francis, Karen Williams, Norma (Glen) Gwinner, Pete Sidley, Lynn (Corky) Johansson and Duane Goodstriker; adopted children: Lionel Crow, Joe Many Fingers, late Ken Many Fingers, Hugh Scout, Cally Eagle Tail Feathers, Tyson Goodstriker, Garrett Tail Feathers, Anthony Evans, and Brayden Cross Child; her Holy Children: Clarke (Annette) Bruised Head. She also leaves a huge void in the life of her fur babies: Chester Ann, Kugar, Benji and Puppy.

Ernestine is now reunited with departed loved ones: our precious mothers, Florence Red Crow and Emily Red Crow; her pride and joy, Aldwin White Quills Jr. (son); Calvin Red Crow (brother); Marie Red Crow (sister); Flora Red Crow (sister); Wendy Many Bears (sister); Dave Red Crow (nephew); Neveah Red Crow (great-niece); her grandparents: Willie Scraping White (Makoiyapii) Jim Red Crow, Ada Kadanaga, Paul and Fanny White Quills; her uncles: Morris, Arthur, Leo, Dennis, Eugene, Roderick White Quills, Leonard Young Pine, Leonard Old Shoes, Frederick (Elizebeth), William (Cathy), and Johnny (Bernice) Red Crow; her aunties; Angeline Standing Alone, Jane and Julia White Quills, Carol, Lena Red Crow and Camillia Wadsworth and her favorite brother-in-law Kenneth Many Fingers.

The family would like to apologize if any names were missed, she was well known and loved by many individuals during her school years, her spiritual journeys and her workplaces.

A Wake will be held at MOSES LAKE GYM, Moses Lake, AB, on Monday, December 12, 2022 from 6:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.

A Funeral Service will be held at MOSES LAKE GYM, on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at 10:00 A.M. with Elder Joe Eagle Tail Feathers officiating.

Following the Funeral Service, Ernestine will be laid to rest in Blood Band Cemetery. Feast to follow at the Moses Lake Gym.

A cleansing Sweat will take place on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at Joe Eagle Tail Feather’s home, everyone is welcome.

The family of Ernestine would like to give a big “THANK YOU” to Dr. Clarke and the nursing staff at the Chinook Health Centre in Cardston, Alberta, and the staff of Cornerstone Funeral Home.

 

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

• Date : 2022-12-06
• Location : Cardston, Alberta