In loving memory of a loving husband, dad, grandpa, great grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, and co-worker. Eric Dennis Plaited Hair (Ootsimiyoohkitopi – Sorrel Horse Rider) peacefully passed away surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren. His passing was so sudden.
Eric was born on January 14,1957 at the Blood Indian Hospital to Amy Plaited Hair (Natowoksisskommiaakii). His maternal grandparents, Bob Plaited Hair (Koo’to) and Paula Rider
Eric leaves behind his wife of 38 years, Monica Rose Big Swallow. His children, Robbie (Hazel) Plaited Hair, Memphis Gros Ventre Boy, Dana Scout, Melvina (Larry) Jans, Donald (Pam), Bradford (Sherry), Bradley (Daphine), Dale, and Tiffany (Kendall) Big Swallow. His Kippitaipokaikksi, Eric Plaited Hair, Brodie, Daylin, Tristan, and Jace Big Swallow. Thirty-one grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Eric and Monica extended their love and through our traditional ways of life adopted Marty Bruised Head as their own.
Eric is also survived by his brothers and sisters; Travis (Veronica) Plaited Hair, Pat (Dawn), and Bruce Standing Alone, Lavern, Hanna, and Sally Plaited Hair. His father-in-law, Donald Big Swallow, his brothers, and sisters- in-law, Pat (Delia) Twigg, Delores Big Swallow (Calf Robe), Collette, Lucille, Albert (Janice), Curtis (Lisa) Big Swallow, and cousin, Cindy Plaited Hair. His many close relatives and extended family are too numerous to mention. The Children of Eve Yellow Old Woman, the late Adam and Wallace Delaney, the late, Annie Bare Shin Bone, the late Sydney and Dora Plaited Hair were all a part of Eric's life.
Eric was predeceased by his sons: Scottie Plaited Hair and Micheal Big Swallow. His Grandparents: Bob Plaited Hair and Paula Rider. His Uncles; Sydney (Phyllis) Plaited Hair and George Plaited Hair. His Aunties: Annie Bare Shin Bone, Mattie, and Dora Plaited Hair. Great Uncle, Jim Plaited Hair, and his Great Aunt, Mae Prairie Chicken (Delaney). Mother-in-law Beatrice Big Swallow and other in-laws Donald Twigg, Les, Dorothy and Delores Big Swallow.
Eric loved and cherished his grandpa Koo’to. He lived with his grandparents in their home throughout his childhood. Like his mother Amy, Koo’to provided unconditional love, safety, and security. His grandfather was his father in life, and he was raised in the traditional ways of our people. Koo’to genuinely meant everything to him. He would often reflect upon the life and legacy of his grandfather. He will often say that his grandfather was an enormously proud man.
His childhood days were the elixir of his life. He shared his beautiful memories of his childhood. He would often tell stories. He would talk about the many people that came to haul water from the natural spring water well. The neighboring children, Bruised Heads, Chief Bodies, Tailfeathers and Many Bears were his childhood friends. How they all had the same school timing, how late they stayed outdoors playing sports and horseback riding. He would often say, as we boys got older our times together were a blast.
Eric received his formal education at Standoff Elementary School, St Mary's Residential School and Fort Macleod F.P.Walshe where he joined the school’s basketball and track and field teams. He used to boast about how fast he could run. He later went on to attend the Lethbridge Community College satellite campus at the Red Crow Community College to complete his upgrading. He moved on to the Mount Royal College satellite campus at the Lethbridge Community College to achieve his Social Work. The two years he attended LCC and lack of no transportation, Eric hiked every day and never missed a day of class. He was so dedicated to his education. He received a reward from the faculty for attendance and most dedicated. Eric would hike in the early morning to catch a ride to school. He would often catch the transit to Bingo to catch a ride home. One day Eric and Monica were travelling to Lethbridge with Collette and they came across an old sofa, sitting on the side of the road at 509, with a big sign “Eric’s resting spot”. It was hilarious. Chief Roy Fox also gave a ride to Eric and he dropped him off at the College on his way to his meetings in Lethbridge. Eric was so grateful.
Eric had numerous jobs. His past employments with Lethbridge Trusses, SRI homes, Standoff Supermarket, Blood Tribe Security, Blood Tribe Dept of Health, Blairmore Alberta Forestry and Firefighting and, at the time of his passing, Blood Tribe Economic Development.
Eric and Monica’s story began in May of 1988 as a common law couple. Their marriage was blessed on May 01, 1999. They were both looking forward to their 25th wedding anniversary. Eric and Monica accepted the Lord into their lives. They were baptized in 1999 and they were active congregational members of the Harvest Feild Ministry under the Leadership of Pastor Rocky Brave Rock. They travelled and shared the Gospel of God with their brothers and sisters in Christ. They later pursued their small business. They travelled out to various pow-wows and community events. They met and remained good friends with a lot of the vendors during their travels. Colin (Janet) Potts, Kelly (Cheryl) Crow Chief, Thresa Beebe, Thelma Crow Shoe and Cindy Red Crow. They would both boast about their own, christain, small business, and working families. They made many friends throughout.
Eric loved Monica unconditionally and they were inseparable. He devoted his life to his wife, children and grandchildren. He worked hard to provide for his family. He gave his all with love. He was always so proud of his children's and grandchildren's accomplishments in life. He was always supportive by attending their school, graduation, fundraising, hockey, basketball, football and birthday events. He reminded and taught his children and grandchildren to be kind, generous, respectful and lend a helping hand. He would often support and encourage them to complete their education. Education is the seed to a good productive and successful future. Monica and his Kiipiitaapookaks were spoiled. Eric loved to cook at times. He was a perfectionist in cooking bannock bread, Indian popcorn, and seasoned fried potatoes. It was a real treat for the Kiipiitaapookaks.
He loved his family-in-law. He treated Donald with dignity, respect and kindness. He would take his turn babysitting dad. They enjoyed the day together eating, sipping mint tea and watching wrestling and movies. He enjoyed the company of his brothers and sisters, telling stories, teasing, card games, fishing, visiting, BBQ’s, road trips and he would always be there to lend a helping hand. He loved Lucille’s and Angie’s frybread. He always looked forward to our Friday’s aggravation card games. Especially when he beats Collette and Lucille. He looked forward to every Christmas gathering with the Twigg’s and Weasel Moccasin families. His love for all his nephews and nieces was unconditional. He would support and give the best he could. He had special nick names for most of them. He was always teasing. He took each one as his own.
Eric was very compassionate, caring, generous, kind, and friendly in his lifetime. He had a great sense of humor. He had a lot of hilarious moments, and he touched so many lives young and old. When you define the meaning of love “It Is Eric’.
A Family service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Thursday May 23 from 6:00 - 7:00 pm. A Wake service will be held at Old Agency Hall, Blood Reserve on Friday, May 24, 2024 from 6:00 - 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will also be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Blood Reserve on Saturday, May 25 at 11:00 am. Interment will take place in the One Spot Cemetery, Blood Reserve.
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Eric was born on January 14,1957 at the Blood Indian Hospital to Amy Plaited Hair (Natowoksisskommiaakii). His maternal grandparents, Bob Plaited Hair (Koo’to) and Paula Rider
Eric leaves behind his wife of 38 years, Monica Rose Big Swallow. His children, Robbie (Hazel) Plaited Hair, Memphis Gros Ventre Boy, Dana Scout, Melvina (Larry) Jans, Donald (Pam), Bradford (Sherry), Bradley (Daphine), Dale, and Tiffany (Kendall) Big Swallow. His Kippitaipokaikksi, Eric Plaited Hair, Brodie, Daylin, Tristan, and Jace Big Swallow. Thirty-one grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Eric and Monica extended their love and through our traditional ways of life adopted Marty Bruised Head as their own.
Eric is also survived by his brothers and sisters; Travis (Veronica) Plaited Hair, Pat (Dawn), and Bruce Standing Alone, Lavern, Hanna, and Sally Plaited Hair. His father-in-law, Donald Big Swallow, his brothers, and sisters- in-law, Pat (Delia) Twigg, Delores Big Swallow (Calf Robe), Collette, Lucille, Albert (Janice), Curtis (Lisa) Big Swallow, and cousin, Cindy Plaited Hair. His many close relatives and extended family are too numerous to mention. The Children of Eve Yellow Old Woman, the late Adam and Wallace Delaney, the late, Annie Bare Shin Bone, the late Sydney and Dora Plaited Hair were all a part of Eric's life.
Eric was predeceased by his sons: Scottie Plaited Hair and Micheal Big Swallow. His Grandparents: Bob Plaited Hair and Paula Rider. His Uncles; Sydney (Phyllis) Plaited Hair and George Plaited Hair. His Aunties: Annie Bare Shin Bone, Mattie, and Dora Plaited Hair. Great Uncle, Jim Plaited Hair, and his Great Aunt, Mae Prairie Chicken (Delaney). Mother-in-law Beatrice Big Swallow and other in-laws Donald Twigg, Les, Dorothy and Delores Big Swallow.
Eric loved and cherished his grandpa Koo’to. He lived with his grandparents in their home throughout his childhood. Like his mother Amy, Koo’to provided unconditional love, safety, and security. His grandfather was his father in life, and he was raised in the traditional ways of our people. Koo’to genuinely meant everything to him. He would often reflect upon the life and legacy of his grandfather. He will often say that his grandfather was an enormously proud man.
His childhood days were the elixir of his life. He shared his beautiful memories of his childhood. He would often tell stories. He would talk about the many people that came to haul water from the natural spring water well. The neighboring children, Bruised Heads, Chief Bodies, Tailfeathers and Many Bears were his childhood friends. How they all had the same school timing, how late they stayed outdoors playing sports and horseback riding. He would often say, as we boys got older our times together were a blast.
Eric received his formal education at Standoff Elementary School, St Mary's Residential School and Fort Macleod F.P.Walshe where he joined the school’s basketball and track and field teams. He used to boast about how fast he could run. He later went on to attend the Lethbridge Community College satellite campus at the Red Crow Community College to complete his upgrading. He moved on to the Mount Royal College satellite campus at the Lethbridge Community College to achieve his Social Work. The two years he attended LCC and lack of no transportation, Eric hiked every day and never missed a day of class. He was so dedicated to his education. He received a reward from the faculty for attendance and most dedicated. Eric would hike in the early morning to catch a ride to school. He would often catch the transit to Bingo to catch a ride home. One day Eric and Monica were travelling to Lethbridge with Collette and they came across an old sofa, sitting on the side of the road at 509, with a big sign “Eric’s resting spot”. It was hilarious. Chief Roy Fox also gave a ride to Eric and he dropped him off at the College on his way to his meetings in Lethbridge. Eric was so grateful.
Eric had numerous jobs. His past employments with Lethbridge Trusses, SRI homes, Standoff Supermarket, Blood Tribe Security, Blood Tribe Dept of Health, Blairmore Alberta Forestry and Firefighting and, at the time of his passing, Blood Tribe Economic Development.
Eric and Monica’s story began in May of 1988 as a common law couple. Their marriage was blessed on May 01, 1999. They were both looking forward to their 25th wedding anniversary. Eric and Monica accepted the Lord into their lives. They were baptized in 1999 and they were active congregational members of the Harvest Feild Ministry under the Leadership of Pastor Rocky Brave Rock. They travelled and shared the Gospel of God with their brothers and sisters in Christ. They later pursued their small business. They travelled out to various pow-wows and community events. They met and remained good friends with a lot of the vendors during their travels. Colin (Janet) Potts, Kelly (Cheryl) Crow Chief, Thresa Beebe, Thelma Crow Shoe and Cindy Red Crow. They would both boast about their own, christain, small business, and working families. They made many friends throughout.
Eric loved Monica unconditionally and they were inseparable. He devoted his life to his wife, children and grandchildren. He worked hard to provide for his family. He gave his all with love. He was always so proud of his children's and grandchildren's accomplishments in life. He was always supportive by attending their school, graduation, fundraising, hockey, basketball, football and birthday events. He reminded and taught his children and grandchildren to be kind, generous, respectful and lend a helping hand. He would often support and encourage them to complete their education. Education is the seed to a good productive and successful future. Monica and his Kiipiitaapookaks were spoiled. Eric loved to cook at times. He was a perfectionist in cooking bannock bread, Indian popcorn, and seasoned fried potatoes. It was a real treat for the Kiipiitaapookaks.
He loved his family-in-law. He treated Donald with dignity, respect and kindness. He would take his turn babysitting dad. They enjoyed the day together eating, sipping mint tea and watching wrestling and movies. He enjoyed the company of his brothers and sisters, telling stories, teasing, card games, fishing, visiting, BBQ’s, road trips and he would always be there to lend a helping hand. He loved Lucille’s and Angie’s frybread. He always looked forward to our Friday’s aggravation card games. Especially when he beats Collette and Lucille. He looked forward to every Christmas gathering with the Twigg’s and Weasel Moccasin families. His love for all his nephews and nieces was unconditional. He would support and give the best he could. He had special nick names for most of them. He was always teasing. He took each one as his own.
Eric was very compassionate, caring, generous, kind, and friendly in his lifetime. He had a great sense of humor. He had a lot of hilarious moments, and he touched so many lives young and old. When you define the meaning of love “It Is Eric’.
A Family service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Thursday May 23 from 6:00 - 7:00 pm. A Wake service will be held at Old Agency Hall, Blood Reserve on Friday, May 24, 2024 from 6:00 - 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will also be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Blood Reserve on Saturday, May 25 at 11:00 am. Interment will take place in the One Spot Cemetery, Blood Reserve.
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