Dr. Helen Many Fingers (nee Fox) Ka Dan A Wahki (Unseen Spirit Woman) February 12, 1922-January 1, 2014
It is with heavy hearts that our family announces the passing of Dr. Helen Many Fingers (nee Fox) on January 1, 2014. Helen was a mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, friend, and Tribal Elder for the Blood Nation. Born on February 12, 1922, on the Blood Reserve in Southern Alberta, Helen was the daughter of the late Cecilia and Steven Fox Sr. including her brothers Alec, John, George, Steven Fox Jr. and sisters Adelaide Heavy Shields and Annie Fox. She was married to the late Wallace Many Fingers Sr. and together they raised seven children: Mary Dorine Rabbit, Dolores Day Chief, Wallace Many Fingers Jr., Lois (Harley) Frank, Tony Many Fingers, Dr. Maurice Many Fingers, and Crystal Many Fingers. She is survived by her sisters Lena Russell, Carolla, Martha, Bernadette, Marge, and Anne Fox. Her adopted children include Mary Ann Fox and Hali Heavy Shields. She leaves behind her brothers Charlie, Lambert, Gerald, Danny, Mike Fox and Wilfred Soop. She was predeceased by her husband Wallace Sr. and daughters Dolores Day Chief, Pauline McCallum, brothers; Alec, John, George and Steven; sisters Dolores, Annie and Adelaide; her parents; Stephen Sr. & Cecilia Fox; George & Emma Many Feathers and her in-laws Morris & Annie Many Fingers. She was a grandmother to numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as an auntie to all in her clan.
Helen was born in 1922 and would have celebrated her ninety-third birthday on February 12, 2014. She attended St. Mary’s Residential School on the Blood Reserve from 1930 to 1940. She met Wallace Many Fingers Sr. and eventually married in 1943. As a child she was taught the culture and customs of the Blood people and was fluent in the Blackfoot language. With her devotion to the ways of the Bloods, she was given the responsibility of the Miisaamahkoyinimaan (long Time Medicine Pipe) Bundle. Helen was an artist and a gifted seamstress. After her children were grown, she made a commitment to become a teacher and educator. When she graduated from the University of Lethbridge in 1973, she became a student counselor for Native students who attended schools in southern Alberta. Over the years, Helen attended all University of Lethbridge convocations for students that she counseled and supported, including her children and grandchildren, as she was always proud of their accomplishments.
Helen received an Honorary Doctorate degree of Law from the University of Lethbridge, the Order of Canada award in 2000, the Jubilee Medallion and an award from the Premier of Alberta. She also served as a Tribal Councilor for the Blood Tribe and was an honorary member of the Kainai Chieftainship.
In later years Helen went on many pilgrimages to Mexico and Marmora to strengthen her faith. She was a devout Catholic who served on the Blood Tribe Parish Council for many years. She belonged to community prayer groups and was involved in the Cursillo movement. She loved going to Lac Ste. Anne every year with her family and friends especially with her brother Stephen Fox. Helen always enjoyed celebrating Sunday mass with her son Wallace and family and attending church in Standoff with Father Pawel Andraz. She had many friends and spiritual sisters including Agna Bergant and Lorna Keras. She left her family a lifetime filled with accomplishments that included her Blackfoot culture and language, education, hard work and determination, ethics, and friendship. But the greatest gift to all was her devotion to Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin. Her wish was for her family to follow these teachings and principles to lead a spiritual life filled with peace.
She belonged to the Many Children Clan and married into her husband\'s clan, the Fish Eaters. Helen came from a huge extended family including the following: Fox, Many Fingers, English family from Peigan, Young Pine, Heavy Shields, Standing Alone, Shot Both Sides, Kicking Woman from Browning, Montana, Eagle Plume, Plain Women, Little Bear, Franks, Many Chiefs, and Day Chiefs. Her clans came from all over the Blackfoot Confederation which covers an area from southern Alberta and Montana. We apologize for any family members we did not mention.
The family would like to thank Dr. Bester for his care of Helen as well as the staff at Cardston Lee Crest Center who gave Helen exceptional care and love during her stay.
“The woman said to Him, I know that Messiah is coming, He Who is called the Christ and when He arrives, He will tell us everything we need to know and make it clear to us.” (JOHN 4:25)
A Prayer Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME - 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, AB. on Monday, January 6, 2014 From 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
A Funeral Mass will be Celebrated at St. Mary\'s Immaculate Conception Parish on Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. With Father Pawell Andrasz O.M.I. Celebrant
Burial to follow mass with a reception to take place at KAINAI HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASIUM. 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
