Ksískáníkánásoi - Morning Star
Brenda Mistaken Chief
January 18, 1955 – October 8, 2023
Brenda Mistaken Chief, passed away on Sunday, October 8, 2023, in Calgary, Alberta, with all her family and loved ones by her side. Brenda is survived by her husband, Vernon Chiefmoon Sr., and her children, Vernon Chiefmoon Jr., Samara Chiefmoon, Patricia Daisy Eagle Tailfeathers, and grandchildren: Nema Chiefmoon, Bailey Heavy Head, Darrius Heavy Head, Xavier Young Pine, Havanna Heavy Head, and Debbie (Sam) Small Eyes. God Children/Adopted Children, Danielle Mistaken Chief, Marilee Mistaken Chief, and Rosie Small Eyes.
Surviving siblings: William (Sharon) Mistaken Chief, Bert (Bella) Mistaken Chief, Claudia (Johnathon) Red Gun, Duane Mistaken Chief, Rebecca Mistaken Chief, Daniel (Teena) Mistaken Chief, Lawrence (Cissy) Mistaken Chief, Marvin (Lydia) Mistaken Chief, Charles (Leanne) Mistaken Chief, Wade Crowchild, and Tara Red Crow. Adopted parents: Mary Ruth (Tootsie) & Wilfred McDougall.
Adopted Siblings: Kurt McDougall, Bryan McDougal, Danny, McDougall, Donny McDougall, Patsy One Spot, Sandy Buffalo, Ethel Chief Moon, Charlie & Rhonda Weasel Head, Mike Weasel Head, Marcel Weasel Head, Ernestine Weasel Head, Carrie Weasel Head, Mary Weasel Head, Rod First Rider, and Donna Soldier.
Brenda was predeceased by Noel Chiefmoon (daughter), Phillip Mistaken Chief (Father), and Maternal Grandparents Jimmy James Wells and Molly Wells. Paternal Grandparents: Jack Mistaken Chief and Anna Anderton. Mother-in-law Mildred Chiefmoon. Aunts & Uncles: Mable Beebe, Burton Mistaken Chief, Lawrence Mistaken, Irene Mistaken Chief, Steve Mistaken Chief, Elizabeth Red Crow, Julia White Man Left, Florence Brave Rock, Shirley Calf Robe, Joan Wells, Anna Wells, Yvonne Morning Bird, Shirley Mountain Horse, Esther First Rider, Bernadine Healy, Jimmy Jr. Wells, Smokie Edwin Wells, Jordin Wells, Nap Black Rabbit, Bernard Shouting. Nieces & Nephews: Darcy Mistaken Chief, Lennie Mistaken Chief, PJ Mistaken Chief, Shelby Mistaken Chief, and Cassidy Chiefmoon.
Extended Family: Mistaken Chief, Wells, Chiefmoon, Shot Both Sides, Long Time Squirrel, Beebe, White Man Left, Eagle Bear, Anderton, and Many Grey Horses.
Brenda was born to Teresa (Wells) and Phillip Mistaken Chief on January 18, 1955, at the Blood Indian Hospital in Cardston, Alberta. Brenda attended grade school (1-8) at the St. Mary’s Residential School and Bishop Grandin (9-12). Post-secondary accomplishments include Henderson College of Business (Cleritype – Receptionist), Red Crow Community College & Mount Royal College (Business Administration), and the University of Lethbridge (Bachelor of Arts).
Brenda met her husband, Vernon Chiefmoon Sr. while attending college, and it was through Clara Chiefmoon how Brenda met Vernon Sr. Together for 50 years, they raised their beautiful children and sacrificed everything they could to make their children’s and grandchildren’s lives much better and enjoyable. Brenda was a strong believer in her faith, embracing her ancestral and catholic religion, despite her childhood being traumatizing by the abuses of residential schools. Brenda did not let her trauma define her, she led life with her heart and wanted everyone around her to know they were special and loved. Brenda passionately believed that love and education unlocked the door of opportunity and that no one can ever take that away from anyone.
Brenda was a social butterfly growing up and had many accomplishments, which included being the President of the Native Club at Bishop Grandin, a successful Barrel Racer, an active Track and Field athlete, a Basketball player, and was even into ice hockey with her brothers. Her hobbies included knitting, late-night card games, going to the casino and playing bingo with her husband, attending pow-wows, supporting her family at the sundance, traveling with her children and grandchildren, playing games and spending time with her granddaughter Nema, and attending events to support her children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, and her friends.
Brenda worked for various departments with the Blood Tribe, but the highlight of her career was working with the Kainai Board of Education. Brenda started working with KBE while completing her degree at the U of L; she was at the Board Office as an accountant and later began her career as an Educational Assistant at Aahsaopi Elementary School, where she worked for over 20 years. It was at the school where Brenda found her calling, spreading love and teaching her culture and education to the school’s children. Brenda loved all the children that attended the school; she provided hugs and emotional support, and assisted the unfortunate kids with money to the canteen and bought kids souvenirs on school field trips so they wouldn’t feel left out. Brenda had a huge heart and an unconceivable pride for her staff and the kids of Aahsaopi school.
Brenda also had a couple of side businesses; she was her mother-in-law Mildred Chief Moon’s accounting bookkeeper, she sold her crafts to the Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump, she also managed a farming business with her husband where she negotiated and obtained contracts to cut the grass on all the residential roads in the south zones of the Blood Reserve. She also sold bales at competitive prices to ranchers in the area, like the Blood Reserve, Cardston County, and even Montana.
Brenda’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff of the Lethbridge Regional Hospital and the Calgary Rockyview General Hospital for their comfort and care during the final months of her life. Brenda built long-lasting friendships with her nurses, and on her last days, her nurses did everything they could to make her comfortable and happy. Some even tried to contact other doctors if they had other treatment ideas to help her beat her illness. Regardless of the heartbreaking outcome, Brenda loved all her nurses, including Dr. Adam Wiebe in Lethbridge who made it possible for her to be closer to her family in Calgary.
The family would like to apologize if they missed anyone; Brenda had a huge family and a huge circle of friends, she loved and cared for so many people, including those the family did not know about until recently. Brenda was an altruist, an unselfish person whose actions show concern for the welfare of others and expecting nothing in return. She will be missed at home and certainly in the community! A caring mother and friend, she will be forever!
A Wake Service will be held at the Senator Gladstone, Blood Reserve on Sunday, October 15 from 7:00 – 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will occur at the St. Mary’s ImmaculateConception Church, Blood Reserve, on Monday, October 16 at 11:00 am. Interment will follow the services at the Chiefmoon Cemetery, 2km south of Levern. A feast will follow at the Aahsaopi Elementary School Gymnasium in Lavern. Those wanting to donate to Brenda’s funeral can do so at the Legacy Funeral Home or contact her family.
Brenda Mistaken Chief
January 18, 1955 – October 8, 2023
Brenda Mistaken Chief, passed away on Sunday, October 8, 2023, in Calgary, Alberta, with all her family and loved ones by her side. Brenda is survived by her husband, Vernon Chiefmoon Sr., and her children, Vernon Chiefmoon Jr., Samara Chiefmoon, Patricia Daisy Eagle Tailfeathers, and grandchildren: Nema Chiefmoon, Bailey Heavy Head, Darrius Heavy Head, Xavier Young Pine, Havanna Heavy Head, and Debbie (Sam) Small Eyes. God Children/Adopted Children, Danielle Mistaken Chief, Marilee Mistaken Chief, and Rosie Small Eyes.
Surviving siblings: William (Sharon) Mistaken Chief, Bert (Bella) Mistaken Chief, Claudia (Johnathon) Red Gun, Duane Mistaken Chief, Rebecca Mistaken Chief, Daniel (Teena) Mistaken Chief, Lawrence (Cissy) Mistaken Chief, Marvin (Lydia) Mistaken Chief, Charles (Leanne) Mistaken Chief, Wade Crowchild, and Tara Red Crow. Adopted parents: Mary Ruth (Tootsie) & Wilfred McDougall.
Adopted Siblings: Kurt McDougall, Bryan McDougal, Danny, McDougall, Donny McDougall, Patsy One Spot, Sandy Buffalo, Ethel Chief Moon, Charlie & Rhonda Weasel Head, Mike Weasel Head, Marcel Weasel Head, Ernestine Weasel Head, Carrie Weasel Head, Mary Weasel Head, Rod First Rider, and Donna Soldier.
Brenda was predeceased by Noel Chiefmoon (daughter), Phillip Mistaken Chief (Father), and Maternal Grandparents Jimmy James Wells and Molly Wells. Paternal Grandparents: Jack Mistaken Chief and Anna Anderton. Mother-in-law Mildred Chiefmoon. Aunts & Uncles: Mable Beebe, Burton Mistaken Chief, Lawrence Mistaken, Irene Mistaken Chief, Steve Mistaken Chief, Elizabeth Red Crow, Julia White Man Left, Florence Brave Rock, Shirley Calf Robe, Joan Wells, Anna Wells, Yvonne Morning Bird, Shirley Mountain Horse, Esther First Rider, Bernadine Healy, Jimmy Jr. Wells, Smokie Edwin Wells, Jordin Wells, Nap Black Rabbit, Bernard Shouting. Nieces & Nephews: Darcy Mistaken Chief, Lennie Mistaken Chief, PJ Mistaken Chief, Shelby Mistaken Chief, and Cassidy Chiefmoon.
Extended Family: Mistaken Chief, Wells, Chiefmoon, Shot Both Sides, Long Time Squirrel, Beebe, White Man Left, Eagle Bear, Anderton, and Many Grey Horses.
Brenda was born to Teresa (Wells) and Phillip Mistaken Chief on January 18, 1955, at the Blood Indian Hospital in Cardston, Alberta. Brenda attended grade school (1-8) at the St. Mary’s Residential School and Bishop Grandin (9-12). Post-secondary accomplishments include Henderson College of Business (Cleritype – Receptionist), Red Crow Community College & Mount Royal College (Business Administration), and the University of Lethbridge (Bachelor of Arts).
Brenda met her husband, Vernon Chiefmoon Sr. while attending college, and it was through Clara Chiefmoon how Brenda met Vernon Sr. Together for 50 years, they raised their beautiful children and sacrificed everything they could to make their children’s and grandchildren’s lives much better and enjoyable. Brenda was a strong believer in her faith, embracing her ancestral and catholic religion, despite her childhood being traumatizing by the abuses of residential schools. Brenda did not let her trauma define her, she led life with her heart and wanted everyone around her to know they were special and loved. Brenda passionately believed that love and education unlocked the door of opportunity and that no one can ever take that away from anyone.
Brenda was a social butterfly growing up and had many accomplishments, which included being the President of the Native Club at Bishop Grandin, a successful Barrel Racer, an active Track and Field athlete, a Basketball player, and was even into ice hockey with her brothers. Her hobbies included knitting, late-night card games, going to the casino and playing bingo with her husband, attending pow-wows, supporting her family at the sundance, traveling with her children and grandchildren, playing games and spending time with her granddaughter Nema, and attending events to support her children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, and her friends.
Brenda worked for various departments with the Blood Tribe, but the highlight of her career was working with the Kainai Board of Education. Brenda started working with KBE while completing her degree at the U of L; she was at the Board Office as an accountant and later began her career as an Educational Assistant at Aahsaopi Elementary School, where she worked for over 20 years. It was at the school where Brenda found her calling, spreading love and teaching her culture and education to the school’s children. Brenda loved all the children that attended the school; she provided hugs and emotional support, and assisted the unfortunate kids with money to the canteen and bought kids souvenirs on school field trips so they wouldn’t feel left out. Brenda had a huge heart and an unconceivable pride for her staff and the kids of Aahsaopi school.
Brenda also had a couple of side businesses; she was her mother-in-law Mildred Chief Moon’s accounting bookkeeper, she sold her crafts to the Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump, she also managed a farming business with her husband where she negotiated and obtained contracts to cut the grass on all the residential roads in the south zones of the Blood Reserve. She also sold bales at competitive prices to ranchers in the area, like the Blood Reserve, Cardston County, and even Montana.
Brenda’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff of the Lethbridge Regional Hospital and the Calgary Rockyview General Hospital for their comfort and care during the final months of her life. Brenda built long-lasting friendships with her nurses, and on her last days, her nurses did everything they could to make her comfortable and happy. Some even tried to contact other doctors if they had other treatment ideas to help her beat her illness. Regardless of the heartbreaking outcome, Brenda loved all her nurses, including Dr. Adam Wiebe in Lethbridge who made it possible for her to be closer to her family in Calgary.
The family would like to apologize if they missed anyone; Brenda had a huge family and a huge circle of friends, she loved and cared for so many people, including those the family did not know about until recently. Brenda was an altruist, an unselfish person whose actions show concern for the welfare of others and expecting nothing in return. She will be missed at home and certainly in the community! A caring mother and friend, she will be forever!
A Wake Service will be held at the Senator Gladstone, Blood Reserve on Sunday, October 15 from 7:00 – 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will occur at the St. Mary’s ImmaculateConception Church, Blood Reserve, on Monday, October 16 at 11:00 am. Interment will follow the services at the Chiefmoon Cemetery, 2km south of Levern. A feast will follow at the Aahsaopi Elementary School Gymnasium in Lavern. Those wanting to donate to Brenda’s funeral can do so at the Legacy Funeral Home or contact her family.