CAMILLE RUSSELL passed away peacefully at the Kainai Continuing Care Centre on June 11, 2019 surrounded by family and friends. He is survived by the love of his life of 54 years, Lucy (nee Heavy Runner) Russell, as well as his children, Violet (Kelvin) Black Horse, Francis Heavy Runner, Lucius McDonald (Brenda), Pablo (Rio), Mary Jo (Adrian), Theresa Ann (Pete), Cisco (Charlene), Renita Joy (aka: Mousy) and his little brother Sam (Tracy) Young Pine.
Adopted children: Nicole Beal, Stefan Kobler, Dallas Cardinal, Pat Breaker, Dusan Hanak, Phillip Bundlach, Richi Sindelar, Neil Leonard, Bjarne & Bente Graebert-Tiede, Rodrick Freeman, Rusty Schindler, Casey Eagle Speaker, Joe Eagle Tail Feathers, Darcy Bengry, Karli Black Plume (granddaughter).
He considered all the Blackfoot people as his children and was grandfather to the Path of the Buffalo Piercing Sundancers. Two special nieces: Maria Russell and Kelli Ann Thunder Chief. Camille had 32 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren.
Camille was born on December 27, 1939 to Paul and Annette Russell in Fort Macleod, Alberta. He was a member of the Many Children (Aakaipokaiiksi) clan. He lived his life in the communities of Moses Lake, Standoff, Farm Headquarters and the District of Lavern. He was the type of man that took pride in taking care of his family and started working at a very young age. He attended St. Mary’s Residential School from grades 1 to 11 and graduated grade 12 at the Holy Cross High School in Calgary, AB (1963). In 1965 he received his diploma at St. Francis Xavier, Nova Scotia for Community Development. He further went on to receive his Business Administration diploma at the Lethbridge Community College in 1968.
As a young man he began working with various farmers in the surrounding areas of the Blood Tribe, as well as the McIntyre Ranch. In 1970-1974 he served as a Special Constable with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In 1980 he was self-employed as an Irrigation Farmer on the Blood Reserve. From 1980 to 1987 he was the Special Projects Coordinator for Blood Tribe Economic Development and Ranch Manager at the Blood Tribe Ranch from 1990 to 1998. He also worked with Blood Tribe Public Works, Blood Tribe Health Department and in 1998 as an Elder/Advisor for the Calgary Correctional Institute.
He was a member of the Horn Society, Piercing Sundance, Kainai Indian Days Committee and the Peacemakers Society. He maintained his dedication to the people of the Blood Tribe in partaking in issues such as the Indian Residential School (IRS), the Opioid Crisis, the Blackfoot Confederacy, as well as an Elder and Cultural supporter for the Kainai Board of Education, Cardston School Division and Hull Homes Braiding the Sweetgrass Services in Calgary. Camille was recognized by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police with a citation for “Bravery” in 1974 and in June of 1994, he was recognized for the work and negotiation years on the Blood Tribe Agricultural Projects (BTAP).
He dedicated his life to his family, especially his grandchildren, and was their number one supporter. He always showed a kind heart to anyone who entered his home and made them feel welcome. One of his strongest action was to make sure that everyone who entered his home left on a full stomach. In his generosity he was always giving away his belongings to friends and visitors. He loved all sports and participated in basketball, football, boxing, baseball. Rodeo was a passion in his life, as he participated as a team roper and calf roper. He taught all his children how to ride and the importance of horsemanship. In his later years he participated as a Men’s Buckskin dancer.
Camille traveled across Canada: Victoria, Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island; United States of America: Arizona, Salt Lake City Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, Washington, Eureka, Albuquerque; Europe: Denmark, Switzerland, Prague, Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Heidelberg, Hanover and Germany.
Camille lived a long and fulfilled life of the Blackfoot protocols and teachings, which included: respect, compassion, generosity, truthfulness, harmony, collectivity, thankfulness, wisdom and spirituality. He was well known for his witty remarks, humor, kindness and was generous with his knowledge.
He was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Annette Russell, his siblings, Willie, Paul, Mary, Laura Madle, Leo, Guy, Sam and one infant; his paternal grandparents, Tom and Rose Russell and his maternal grandparents, Charlie and Julia Good Rider; grandchildren, Kaisley Russell (Medicine Crane), Elijah Russell and two infants.
Families include: Russell, Brewer, Mills, Spear Chief, Chief Calf, Bull Shoe, Vielle, Good Rider, Oka, Healy, Good Dagger, Thunder Chief and Day Chief.
He will be missed by his family, friends and community as a kind man. The Russell family wishes to express their appreciation to Dr. Shey Eagle Bear, Dr. Susan Christenson, Dr. Ester Tailfeathers, Dr. Brian Low, the Lethbridge Regional Hospital, the Cardston Municipal Hospital, the Kainai Continuing Care Centre, Blood Tribe Employment & Skills Training (BTEST), Legacy Funeral Home and Elder Duane Crow Chief.
A Family Service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Sunday, June 16th at 5:00 p.m. followed by the Wake Service
at the Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve from 7:00 - 11:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held at the Senator Gladstone Hall
on Monday, June 17th at 11:00 a.m. Condolences may be sent by CLICKING HERE.
LEGACY FUNERAL HOMES LTD., CARDSTON Assisting the Family. Phone 403-653-3222.
Adopted children: Nicole Beal, Stefan Kobler, Dallas Cardinal, Pat Breaker, Dusan Hanak, Phillip Bundlach, Richi Sindelar, Neil Leonard, Bjarne & Bente Graebert-Tiede, Rodrick Freeman, Rusty Schindler, Casey Eagle Speaker, Joe Eagle Tail Feathers, Darcy Bengry, Karli Black Plume (granddaughter).
He considered all the Blackfoot people as his children and was grandfather to the Path of the Buffalo Piercing Sundancers. Two special nieces: Maria Russell and Kelli Ann Thunder Chief. Camille had 32 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren.
Camille was born on December 27, 1939 to Paul and Annette Russell in Fort Macleod, Alberta. He was a member of the Many Children (Aakaipokaiiksi) clan. He lived his life in the communities of Moses Lake, Standoff, Farm Headquarters and the District of Lavern. He was the type of man that took pride in taking care of his family and started working at a very young age. He attended St. Mary’s Residential School from grades 1 to 11 and graduated grade 12 at the Holy Cross High School in Calgary, AB (1963). In 1965 he received his diploma at St. Francis Xavier, Nova Scotia for Community Development. He further went on to receive his Business Administration diploma at the Lethbridge Community College in 1968.
As a young man he began working with various farmers in the surrounding areas of the Blood Tribe, as well as the McIntyre Ranch. In 1970-1974 he served as a Special Constable with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In 1980 he was self-employed as an Irrigation Farmer on the Blood Reserve. From 1980 to 1987 he was the Special Projects Coordinator for Blood Tribe Economic Development and Ranch Manager at the Blood Tribe Ranch from 1990 to 1998. He also worked with Blood Tribe Public Works, Blood Tribe Health Department and in 1998 as an Elder/Advisor for the Calgary Correctional Institute.
He was a member of the Horn Society, Piercing Sundance, Kainai Indian Days Committee and the Peacemakers Society. He maintained his dedication to the people of the Blood Tribe in partaking in issues such as the Indian Residential School (IRS), the Opioid Crisis, the Blackfoot Confederacy, as well as an Elder and Cultural supporter for the Kainai Board of Education, Cardston School Division and Hull Homes Braiding the Sweetgrass Services in Calgary. Camille was recognized by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police with a citation for “Bravery” in 1974 and in June of 1994, he was recognized for the work and negotiation years on the Blood Tribe Agricultural Projects (BTAP).
He dedicated his life to his family, especially his grandchildren, and was their number one supporter. He always showed a kind heart to anyone who entered his home and made them feel welcome. One of his strongest action was to make sure that everyone who entered his home left on a full stomach. In his generosity he was always giving away his belongings to friends and visitors. He loved all sports and participated in basketball, football, boxing, baseball. Rodeo was a passion in his life, as he participated as a team roper and calf roper. He taught all his children how to ride and the importance of horsemanship. In his later years he participated as a Men’s Buckskin dancer.
Camille traveled across Canada: Victoria, Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island; United States of America: Arizona, Salt Lake City Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, Washington, Eureka, Albuquerque; Europe: Denmark, Switzerland, Prague, Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Heidelberg, Hanover and Germany.
Camille lived a long and fulfilled life of the Blackfoot protocols and teachings, which included: respect, compassion, generosity, truthfulness, harmony, collectivity, thankfulness, wisdom and spirituality. He was well known for his witty remarks, humor, kindness and was generous with his knowledge.
He was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Annette Russell, his siblings, Willie, Paul, Mary, Laura Madle, Leo, Guy, Sam and one infant; his paternal grandparents, Tom and Rose Russell and his maternal grandparents, Charlie and Julia Good Rider; grandchildren, Kaisley Russell (Medicine Crane), Elijah Russell and two infants.
Families include: Russell, Brewer, Mills, Spear Chief, Chief Calf, Bull Shoe, Vielle, Good Rider, Oka, Healy, Good Dagger, Thunder Chief and Day Chief.
He will be missed by his family, friends and community as a kind man. The Russell family wishes to express their appreciation to Dr. Shey Eagle Bear, Dr. Susan Christenson, Dr. Ester Tailfeathers, Dr. Brian Low, the Lethbridge Regional Hospital, the Cardston Municipal Hospital, the Kainai Continuing Care Centre, Blood Tribe Employment & Skills Training (BTEST), Legacy Funeral Home and Elder Duane Crow Chief.
A Family Service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Sunday, June 16th at 5:00 p.m. followed by the Wake Service
at the Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve from 7:00 - 11:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held at the Senator Gladstone Hall
on Monday, June 17th at 11:00 a.m. Condolences may be sent by CLICKING HERE.
LEGACY FUNERAL HOMES LTD., CARDSTON Assisting the Family. Phone 403-653-3222.