It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Ross Brave Rock - Siipisspokomii (Night Shooter) on Sunday, October 23, 2022 at the age of 72 years old. Ross was born on June 25, 1950 at the Blood Indian Hospital in Cardston, Alberta.
Ross attended St. Paul's Residential School, Central School, and Hamilton Jr. High School, located in Lethbridge. He also attended the Heavy Equipment Trades Program in Fort McMurray, where he learned to operate numerous heavy equipment, and became a Heavy Equipment Operator.
In the mid-eighties, Ross was part of the Sighted Men's Goalball team; his brother Leonard trained with this sport for the yearly Provincial Goalball Championships which was held in Calgary. They had two men's teams for this sport: the Fort Whoop-Up team, which consisted of Ross, Roger Hunt, Wesley Hunt and Ditty Long Time Squirrel, and the Old Agency team, which consisted of Jarvis Day Chief, Wilton Day Chief and Andrew Weasel Moccasin. Ross also coached two girl's teams, and a team from the Army Barracks by the Lethbridge airport. They would practice at the Old Agency Hall and at the Old St. Paul's Gym. They played with other Blind athletes in a tournament held at the Hamilton Jr. High School in Lethbridge. Ross also coached the girls Baseball team, known as the Rattlers, a family team, which consisted of his nieces and family from the Fort Whoop-up area. He would yell at them to pay attention to the game as they were so easily distracted by vehicles driving by. With his persistence with proper baseball attire, the team of girls finally gave up their party wear and dressed properly for the games. According to Ross, they dressed like they were going out to party.
Ross was part of the Rodeo circuit, taking part in the wild horse racing with Albert and Roger Hunt. Ross enjoyed watching rodeo events and attended as many Bull Riding shows that were held at the Lethbridge Enmax Event Centre over the years. He also mined for ammonite for a number of years, he was part of the Black Horse Mines 'Boys' which included his brother Rocky Brave Rock, Kelvin Black Horse and Cameron Spear Chief. Ross was very proud of one of his "Once in a Lifetime" finds while out mining ammonite, where he found the skull of an ancient turtle that he named Spike, that is currently housed in the Royal Tyrell Museum collections. Over his lifetime, he held numerous jobs, from picking apples in Yakima, Washington to Creston BC, bailing in Milk River, farming at numerous locations on the Reserve; including the harvest season at the Blood Reserve Potato Farms, and working in Waterton.
His fondest memories were time spent with his brothers. They used to walk down to the Fort Whoop-up area during the winter, to skate and play hockey with the Long Time Squirrel and Hunt boys. During the summer, they would all go horseback riding; Ross would always double with Thomas Long Time Squirrel. They enjoyed swimming and horseback riding and would pick berries to eat after they swam. Ross also enjoyed his many road trips to Medicine Hat with his brother Rocky and sharing in the family bingo nights.
Although Ross never had any children of his own, he took all of his nieces and nephews as his children. He always made himself available for them and was happy to spend time with family sharing stories; he had a crazy sense of humor that everyone enjoyed.
Ross is predeceased by his parents, Annie and Ted Brave Rock, siblings Edward Brave Rock, Leslie Buckskin, Leonard Brave Rock, Rex Brave Rock, Delma Chief Moon, Sheila Red Crow and Colleen Across The Mountain, uncle and auntie: Reggie and Gladys Buckskin, grandmother Minnie Long Time Squirrel (Ihtakootao'p) and grandfather Ernest Brave Rock (Issikowa'sohkitopi).
Ross is survived by his brother, Rocky Brave Rock, along with numerous nieces and nephews who loved him like a father, sister-in law, Emma Brave Rock, and brother-in law, Alvin Red Crow, and adoptive sisters, Mary Ann Buckskin and Sandra (Chris) Shade. The family apologizes for any names that may have been missed.
Ross's extended families included the Buckskins, Hunts, Long Time Squirrels, Wadsworths, Tail Feathers, Panther Bones, Hind Mans, Weasel Moccasins, White Quills, and Flamonds.
The family of Ross will be celebrating his life with a Wake Service held at WHITE CALF HALL, Stand Off, AB on Friday, October 28, 2022 from 6:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.
The Funeral Service will be held at WHITE CALF HALL on Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. The Burial will be at the Brave Rock family plot on the Blood Reserve, with a Feast to follow at White Calf Hall.
To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
