Frankie Black Plume passed December 20, 2025 with a couragous battle of Metastatic Cancer. He is survived by his daughter, Starr Small Eyes grandchildren Hunter, Tai-lee and Winter Small Eyes, and grandson Cody Young Pine; his sister, Rita Calf and nephews Terence, Robert Jr., Corey, Leonard, Casey, Kevin and niece Shannon Black Plume. Uncle Jordan Small Eyes; Aunties: Mary Ann (Harvey) Crow-Healy, Myra Crow Spread His Wings and Donna Small Eyes. Frank met his love of life, Joan Crying Head in the 2000 and they remain together till her passing 2020.
Frankie grew up in the Moses Lake Community and was better known as Elephant by his comrades and friends. He attended school in Cardston from Grade 1 to Grade 12 except for one semester he attended Catholic Central High School. His school passion was playing Football and that is why he transferred to CCH for one semester and they won that year 1983-1984. Mr. Walker was furious with Frank that he jumped ship to play for CCH but was accepted back the following semester, in which, he graduated with Top Honors. That year Cardston High School had 12 graduates, which is quite high in numbers for Native graduates. Thereafter he went to Lethbridge Community College, University of Lethbridge, Red Crow Community College which was co-hosted by Mount Royal College. Frank received his Business Administrative Diploma in 1995 from Mount Royal College. While attending Red Crow College he was privileged and selected to attend the AIHEC in Duluth, Minnesota. Frank participated in the Knowledge Bowl and the RCCC Drum Group. In 2012, Frank was elected to represent the people in the Blood Tribe Chief and Council and as soon as he got in Frank did his best to represent Moses Lake, himself and his family and the people of the Blood Tribe. He started the process and the project to help the BT Members with employment. BTAP became the project to hire BT Members. As Frank would say, we can finally make the money for the reserve so that we will not rely on Government funding. Frank was quick to realize that in order to accomplish any set goals was through Teamwork, Negotiations, and Collaboration with fellow council men will only make it successful but if unsuccessful it will not happen. In spite of the challenging experience that he undertook, Frank loved that it was a learning experience for him.
Frankie was very active in Sports he played Fastball, Volleyball, Basketball, Football and Pool both in the Lethbridge and Calgary league. He played with the Golden Hawks under the guidance of his mentor Robert Calf and also played with other Moses Lake teams. He played Volleyball with the Lethbridge Friendship Centre Natives and some basketball but was limited in his playing time. He enjoyed playing pool both in the Lethbridge and Calgary league and entered many tournaments in Lethbridge.
Frankie was a very Spiritual Person and he was one of the first group of young men that danced in the Piercing Sundance when it was introduced by late Morris Crow in the 80’s. He was proud to dance with his mother, Florence; sister Rita and nephews Robert and Corey at the Piercing Sundance. He also read the bible so he had the best of both world, Native and Christianity.
Frank was predeceased by his wife, Joan Crying Head; Step-children - Sheldon, Jonathan and Barry Crying Head. Mother Florence Black Plume and Father Adrian Small Eyes; brothers Jones and Francis (Tank) Black Plume. Grandparents: Sam and Annie (George Hind Man) Black Plume; Luke (Irene) Small Eyes and Elaine Small Face.
Maternal Uncles and Aunties: Billy and Adelaine Singer, Sam Jr and Lucy Black Plume; Donald and Rosella Black Plume, Jim and Geraldine Black Plume;
Paternal Uncles and Aunties: Patsy Small Face, Delores Crow Spread His Wings, Claude Crow Spread Wings, Addison (Irene) Crow Spread His Wings, Robert Small Eyes and Eric Small Eyes
FRANK had a large extended family and close relatives from the children of his Great Uncles Late Tom Three Person, Late Bob (Suzette) Black Plume, Late Dick (Beth) Soup, Late George (Rosie) Small Eyes and Late John (Fanny) Small Eyes, Great Aunt Mary Ground from Browning Montana, Great Aunt Jean (Peter) Bellows, Great Aunt Theresa (Aloysius) Crop Eared Wolf and Great Aunt Antonia Singer. We are sorry if we missed any relatives.
The Black Plume family would like to sincerely thank everyone who helped care for Frankie Black Plume.
We are deeply grateful to the Lee Crest staff for their kindness, compassion, and respectful care. Thank you as well to the Home Care staff, especially Tanner, whose support and dedication meant so much to our family. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Walters from palliative care, Dr. Clarke and Legacy Funeral Home for their guidance, understanding, and compassion. We are also thankful to everyone who offered donations, prayers, condolences, and kindness, your support and thoughtfulness brought us comfort and strength.
A wake service will be held at the Moses Lake Community Hall, Blood Reserve, Alberta on Friday, January 2, 2026 from 6:00 - 11:00 pm. A funeral service will also be at Moses Lake Community Hall on Saturday, January 3 at 11:00 am. Interment to follow at Crying Head Cemetery, Blood Reserve.
Frankie grew up in the Moses Lake Community and was better known as Elephant by his comrades and friends. He attended school in Cardston from Grade 1 to Grade 12 except for one semester he attended Catholic Central High School. His school passion was playing Football and that is why he transferred to CCH for one semester and they won that year 1983-1984. Mr. Walker was furious with Frank that he jumped ship to play for CCH but was accepted back the following semester, in which, he graduated with Top Honors. That year Cardston High School had 12 graduates, which is quite high in numbers for Native graduates. Thereafter he went to Lethbridge Community College, University of Lethbridge, Red Crow Community College which was co-hosted by Mount Royal College. Frank received his Business Administrative Diploma in 1995 from Mount Royal College. While attending Red Crow College he was privileged and selected to attend the AIHEC in Duluth, Minnesota. Frank participated in the Knowledge Bowl and the RCCC Drum Group. In 2012, Frank was elected to represent the people in the Blood Tribe Chief and Council and as soon as he got in Frank did his best to represent Moses Lake, himself and his family and the people of the Blood Tribe. He started the process and the project to help the BT Members with employment. BTAP became the project to hire BT Members. As Frank would say, we can finally make the money for the reserve so that we will not rely on Government funding. Frank was quick to realize that in order to accomplish any set goals was through Teamwork, Negotiations, and Collaboration with fellow council men will only make it successful but if unsuccessful it will not happen. In spite of the challenging experience that he undertook, Frank loved that it was a learning experience for him.
Frankie was very active in Sports he played Fastball, Volleyball, Basketball, Football and Pool both in the Lethbridge and Calgary league. He played with the Golden Hawks under the guidance of his mentor Robert Calf and also played with other Moses Lake teams. He played Volleyball with the Lethbridge Friendship Centre Natives and some basketball but was limited in his playing time. He enjoyed playing pool both in the Lethbridge and Calgary league and entered many tournaments in Lethbridge.
Frankie was a very Spiritual Person and he was one of the first group of young men that danced in the Piercing Sundance when it was introduced by late Morris Crow in the 80’s. He was proud to dance with his mother, Florence; sister Rita and nephews Robert and Corey at the Piercing Sundance. He also read the bible so he had the best of both world, Native and Christianity.
Frank was predeceased by his wife, Joan Crying Head; Step-children - Sheldon, Jonathan and Barry Crying Head. Mother Florence Black Plume and Father Adrian Small Eyes; brothers Jones and Francis (Tank) Black Plume. Grandparents: Sam and Annie (George Hind Man) Black Plume; Luke (Irene) Small Eyes and Elaine Small Face.
Maternal Uncles and Aunties: Billy and Adelaine Singer, Sam Jr and Lucy Black Plume; Donald and Rosella Black Plume, Jim and Geraldine Black Plume;
Paternal Uncles and Aunties: Patsy Small Face, Delores Crow Spread His Wings, Claude Crow Spread Wings, Addison (Irene) Crow Spread His Wings, Robert Small Eyes and Eric Small Eyes
FRANK had a large extended family and close relatives from the children of his Great Uncles Late Tom Three Person, Late Bob (Suzette) Black Plume, Late Dick (Beth) Soup, Late George (Rosie) Small Eyes and Late John (Fanny) Small Eyes, Great Aunt Mary Ground from Browning Montana, Great Aunt Jean (Peter) Bellows, Great Aunt Theresa (Aloysius) Crop Eared Wolf and Great Aunt Antonia Singer. We are sorry if we missed any relatives.
The Black Plume family would like to sincerely thank everyone who helped care for Frankie Black Plume.
We are deeply grateful to the Lee Crest staff for their kindness, compassion, and respectful care. Thank you as well to the Home Care staff, especially Tanner, whose support and dedication meant so much to our family. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Walters from palliative care, Dr. Clarke and Legacy Funeral Home for their guidance, understanding, and compassion. We are also thankful to everyone who offered donations, prayers, condolences, and kindness, your support and thoughtfulness brought us comfort and strength.
A wake service will be held at the Moses Lake Community Hall, Blood Reserve, Alberta on Friday, January 2, 2026 from 6:00 - 11:00 pm. A funeral service will also be at Moses Lake Community Hall on Saturday, January 3 at 11:00 am. Interment to follow at Crying Head Cemetery, Blood Reserve.