DUCK CHIEF – Charles Joseph (MII SAA MA WOH TAAN)
December 8, 1943 – March 12, 2010
Charlie Duck Chief (Mii Saa Ma Woh Taan – Long Time Shield) beloved husband of Floria, passed away peacefully in her arms to join his late Mother Emily and Father Rosario Duck Chief on Friday March 12th, 2010 at the age of 66 years.
Along with his loving wife Floria, Charlie’s legacy will live on through his family and children Kory, Kingsley (Francine), Joe, Terrill, Emily (Nigel) and Verena; grandchildren Hunter, Gabriel, Luke, Eric, Kasia, Kestin, Talyssa, Connor, Theoron, Richard, Karalie, Savanna and Wyatt; great-granddaughter Haven Charlize. Charlie is also survived by his brothers Richard (Lorna) and Herman (Ida) and his sisters, Ann, June, Marie (Tom), Geraldine (Melvin), Jackie (Clarence), Jenny and Veronica; Aunties, Rosa Doore and Rita Frank; adopted brothers and sisters, Clifford (Janis) Manyheads, Ron (Joyce) Doore, Robert (Judy) Running Rabbit, Clement (Pauline) Doore, Stan Wigmore, Stanley (Germaine) McMaster, Delia Yellowfly, Laverna McMaster (Wayne Courchene), Jug McLeod and Al Loria. Adopted children: Doug Lamb (Duck Chief), Gary Wabenga, Anne McMaster’s Children, Blair and Vanessa Burrows, Shane, Jamie, Tim and Kirk Yellowfly. Charlie was predeceased by his parents Rosario and Emily Duck Chief; brothers Gabriel, Fraser, Arthur and Melvin; sister Adele; nephew Eddie; uncles Mark Spring Chief, Louis, Jack, Phil, Mike and Joe Running Rabbit, Anthony Scalplock and Emil Blackwater; aunties Agnes Little Youngman and Alice White Elk; mother-in-law Marina Yellowfly; father-in-law Allen Atcheynum.
Charlie was well known for his sense of humour, kindness and his love for his family and friends. Charlie also showed his kindness through his work as a Child Welfare Worker and Director for over 30 years, dedicating his time and all his energies to ensure the best care for his clients and their families. Charlie was also known for his love of sports such as basketball, where he coached the Blackfoot Central Men’s team to win many championships including 4 (four) Alberta provincial championships and was one of the original organizers for the annual Blackfoot Invitational Basketball tournament. His other loves of sports included curling and golf with his late brother Melvin White who were known to tear up the courses with their skills and crazy sense of humour and their love for the 19th hole, they were also the original organizers of the now annual Siksika Open Golf tournament. Charlie was outgoing and made many friends throughout the years, who came to know him for his jokes and traditional name giving. Charlie also cherished his traditional ways as taught to him by his late mother Emily Duck Chief which prepared him to become a traditional pipe holder at a young age till his passing. Charlie was well respected by all who knew him as he was a knowledgeable individual who also taught his children, nephews and nieces to have respect, strength, humility and to be grateful for everyone and everything in their lives. Charlie will surely be missed by all who knew him and know that he fought long and hard to remain with us all regardless of the odd’s set against him, he stayed with us for 7 (seven) more cherished years after his initial diagnosis of Cancer. Rest well Dad, Pa Pon, Charlie (Mii Saa Ma Woh Taan) we love you and will miss you, you’re with your Mom now.
Special Thank You to Siksika Family Services, Siksika Health Services (EMS/Fire, Home Care and Elders Lodge) and Strathmore Hospital Nurses, Dr. Thomas Gillis, Dr. Thomas Fung, Family and Friends for all their support and care for Charlie and our Family.
Wake Services will be held at Sister Celine Memorial Parish Hall (Siksika Nation, Alberta) on Monday, March 15, 2010 at 2:00pm. Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church (Siksika Nation, Alberta) on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 12:00pm. Graveside Service to follow at Crowfoot Cemetery. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com.
In living memory of Charlie Duck Chief, a tree will be planted at Siksika Nation, AB by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Eastside Memorial Chapel, 5388 MEMORIAL DRIVE N.E. Telephone: (403) 248-8585.
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Charlie certainly will be missed by many people. Charlie’s outgoing and friendly personality made it easy to relate to him. I shall always remember him for his humour and the thoughtful consideration he put into considering your thoughts and in framing his own. The world is a diminished place with his passing.
Please accept my condolences on your loss.
Dear Floria and family;
It was with a great sense of loss when we heard of Charlie’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
With our deepest sympathy,
Larry & Yvonne
My condolences to you, Floria, Kory, Kingsley (Francine), Joe, Terrill and Emily. It was a pleasure to know Charlie. He is just one of those persons you will never forget. My prayers and thoughts are with you during this time. Always know God is with you and that your husband and Dad is no longer suffering. He is in a much better place. God has called him home, for He has much greater plans for him.
God Bless,
Rhonda, Byron (Joenie), Shona (Jon), Darnell (Jody) and Peter Medicine Shield
To Charlie’s Family:
I was saddened to read of the loss of Charlie today. I knew him in my capacity as a Judge for the past 25 years, of the Provincial Court, Family and Youth Divisions, as we used to circuit to Gleichen when the courts sat there. Before I was formally introduced to him, I had heard about his reputation as a wonderful child welfare worker and administrator from my former mentor, Senior Judge Herb Allard, who knew him very well, also.
I will always remember Charlie’s wonderful sense of humour, his ability to laugh at himself, and his compassion for others, particularly those who came to the attention of Siksika Child and Family Services. He was a well-respected professional highly regarded by others doing similar work, as well as by other members of the judiciary and of the community. I remember well when the tri-partite agreement was entered into which allowed the fullest control possible of aboriginal child welfare services to be taken over by Siksika and how proud he was of this achievent for the people of Siksika–I believe this was the first agreement of its kind in Alberta. I also recall stories told to me by Judge Allard about how well he and Charlie were able to work together in establishing a unique kind of child protection hearings which allowed the best evidence possible to be given in court by people unaccustomed to giving evidence in courtrooms, and how well cases were prepared under his direction.
Your family should be very proud of the strong leadership Charlie brought to his role in the community, how welcoming he was to members of the judiciary, and what a fine role model he always was for his people. I thought he would be that person for many more years to come, and am so sorry he will no longer be with us. It was an honour to have met him.
God be with you all throughout this difficult time
Sincerely,
Lynn Cook-Stanhope
Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Charlie- he was a pleasure to know and to work with.
May joy find you in your sorrow,
Ross and Gail Edey, Stampede Ranch for Kids
Our hearts and prayers go out to wife Floria and the family of Charlie, he was a special man, who was guided by the Lord our father, the Lord had brought him home in heaven and he is in peace.
May the Lord find peace in your hearts, Wesley & Regina Red Crow
Dear Mrs. Duck Chief & Family:
My most sincere condolences on the loss of Charlie. I read the obituary yesterday while I was in Calgary. I`m sorry my wife and I missed the funeral today. Perhaps I can send you a much more personal note about me and Charlie when I can get a hold of your address.
I was blessed with meeting Chharlie and being friends with him for many years. He was most friendly and outgoing. We last met in Cranbrook, B.C. last August and I will never forget our reunion. It was as pleasant as his personality. Our prayers are for you and your family.
GOD BLESS,
Les & Evelyn Healy
Floria & Family
Our thoughts & prayers are with you at
this time.
Tom & Marj Clark
(formerly of Hidden Valley)
I am very sorry to learn of Charlie’s recent passing. I admired his ability to combine integrity with humour while dealing with often complicated children’s service issues, and I looked forward to meetings with him. I know family will miss him greatly, and my condolences go to you.