FIRST RIDER “Saokiawakaasiaki” (Antelope Woman) It is with the deepest sadness that the family of ALVINA “VINEY” FIRST RIDER (nee Kennedy) announces her passing on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at the age of 59.
Left to cherish her memories are her husband Blair First Rider, children; Lizabeth (Rick) Fox and Alvin (Shaundell) First Rider, step-daughter Crystal Wolf of Hobbema, four grandchildren; Brent “Jake”, and Patricia “PJ” Fox, and KaLea and Davis First Rider of Cardston, Alberta, adopted grandchildren; Jon, Joel and Nick Fox, sisters; Mary Barnes, Helen Stiner, Ida Shields, Nora Kennedy from Montana, Eileen (Earl) McDougall and Lizabeth (Roy) LaVoy from Minnesota, brothers Edward Kennedy from New Mexico and James (Wendy) Kennedy from Montana as well as numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom she treated as her own children. Viney was predeceased by her daughter Mamie Jane First Rider, step-son Silver Wolf, father Alvin Kennedy Sr., mother Margaret Kennedy and brother Alvin “Rastus” Kennedy Jr. Viney was born in Browning, Montana on November 8, 1951. She attended school in Browning and at the University of Montana–Missoula. Viney worked in various positions throughout her life, always striving to help her people to better themselves. She worked with Upward Bound as a student at the U of M, continuing her education of the people working with 4 Worlds in Lethbridge Alberta. She also worked with the Kainai Board of Education and was instrumental in the development of Red Crow Community College. Viney was a firm believer that our people should be knowledgeable and accountable in our Blackfoot Culture and Spiritual beliefs; she expected nothing less than that from her family. Viney’s “lectures” became well known and were expected at any family gathering. She also prided herself in the fact that she could trace all families within her tribe and made this fact known to all of her family. Her traditional roots led her later in life to the spiritual ways of the Blackfoot Sundance where she was a member of the Horn and Crazy Dogs Societies as part of her journey. Above all her happiest times were spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Everyone knew her as “Grandma Viney” and she could always be counted on.
A Prayer Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge on Thursday, January 6, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. Wake services will be held from Thursday through Sunday in Browning, Montana. Rosaries will be held in Browning at the EAGLE SHIELDS COMMUNITY CENTER on Sunday, January 9, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at the LITTLE FLOWER PARISH in Browning on Monday, January 10, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. with Interment to follow. Honoured to serve the family, CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 7B1. Telephone (403) 381-7777. E-mail: care@cornerstonefh.ca