DONALD CHRISTOPHER TWIGG JR., passed away peacefully with his beloved wife and family by his side at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Thursday, February 14, 2008 at the age of 49 years. He was born in Cardston, Alberta on October 17, 1958. Don was raised on the Blood Reserve and received his formal education at the St. Mary’s Residential School. Upon receiving his education Don held down numerous jobs including a guard position with the Lethbridge Community Corrections. He also excelled in carpentry skills and was employed with Kainai Industries for many years. Don left the reserve to attend Keyano College’s Heavy Industrial Program in Fort McMurray, Alberta. He was also a member of the Army Cadets of the Blood Reserve. Don loved sports and during his time in school played football and basketball with the St. Mary’s Warriors. He traveled with the Basketball team to Ireland, London (England), Hawaii and throughout North America. Don will mostly be remembered by the legacy in which he will leave with his people the Bloods as a fine artist in visual arts. A self taught artist his talent was commissioned on countless art projects including the prestigious showing of Blackfoot Skies at the Calgary Planetarium/Science Centre. Many of his works are owned by private and corporate collections throughout Canada and the United States. He has been the recipient of many awards and has been commissioned to many works including logos and art templates for many departments and organizations throughout the Aboriginal community. A very gifted fine artist he found inspiration from his father Donald Big Swallow Sr. as a child and growing up he learned watching his dad draw old native and western art. Don developed a very unique style with skill and detail in acrylic, ink and oil painting having being mentored by the late Everett Soop and Glen Eagle Speaker. He has spent a lifetime honing other skills of expression of Native art in woodwork, carving and logo design. Don’s work was always utilized as it captured a true essence of Blackfoot history and contemporary life depicting his culture to the public visual eye. His work has been published in many publications, programs, newspapers and seen as landmarks in public building walls/spaces and the Kainai High School Gymnasium floor. Don was always known as a trickster and noted for his sense of humor and laughter. He touched many with his laughs, jokes, stories and art, and will forever be remembered for that. A devoted father, husband and grandfather Don is survived by his beloved wife and soul mate Cindy Plaited Hair, 4 beautiful children; Ferlin (Angie Good Running) Plaited Hair, Nikki (Christopher White Man Left) Plaited Hair, Bobbi Girl (Randy Pepion) Plaited Hair and Cheyenne Plaited Hair, 10 cherished grandchildren; Taylor, Mackenzie, Jody, Liddel, Mitchell, Torrence, Sierra, Tristan, Jada and Rome, mother and father Donald & Beatrice Big Swallow, brothers Pat (Delia) Twigg, Les (Delores) Big Swallow, Albert Big Swallow, Curtis (Lisa) Big Swallow, Troy Emery Twigg and Bradley (Michelle Eagle Tail Feathers) Big Swallow, sisters; Monica (Eric) Plaited Hair, Collette Big Swallow, Dorothy Big Swallow, Delores (Curtis) Calf Robe, Lucille (Robin Cat Face) Big Swallow and Angie (Ken) Creighton, aunts; Eva Hind Bull, Theresa Plume and Mary Twigg, uncles Jim Twigg and Andrew (Joanne) Twigg, mother-in-law Phyllis Plaited Hair, in-laws; Shirley, Bobby, Sidney (Stephanie), Debbie (Dayton), Connie (Clement Tallman), Anne (Alfred Stripped Squirrel) and Johnny (Miranda) Plaited Hair as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Don was predeceased by maternal grandparents Mr. & Mrs. James Albert Twigg, paternal grandparents Dick Big Swallow and Black Bear Woman, aunts and uncles; Mr. & Mrs. Albert Twigg, Mr. & Mrs. Eugene ‘Doc’ Twigg, Mr. & Mrs. Dan Weasel Moccasin, Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Young Pine, Mr. & Mrs. Morris Hind Bull, Mr. & Mrs. Pete Weasel Moccasin, Dean Plume, Celina Twigg, Mr. & Mrs. Albert Vielle, Ben Big Swallow, Eddie Big Swallow and Alan Hind Bull, father-in-law Sydney Plaited Hair Sr., nephew Brian Twigg Jr. and adopted brother Kobin Bull Shields. A Wake Service will be held at the WHITE CALF CHAPEL , Standoff, on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 from 6:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. A Funeral Mass will be held at ST. MARY’S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, Blood Reserve, on Thursday, February 21, 2008 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Pawel Andrasz Celebrant. Interment to follow at the Blood Band Cemetery.