Monica Arlene Chief Moon
(Sattsitapiaakii) - Southern Belle
May 9, 1955 – July 2, 2026
It is with immense pain and sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Matriarch, Monica Chief Moon (Satsitapiakii) at the age of 71. Monica was the eldest daughter of the Late Lucy Rose Prairie Chicken (Si ka kii). Monica was not fortunate enough to have known or met her biological father before his passing; however, she developed a father-daughter relationship with the Late Reggie Bottle Sr., whom she lovingly called Dad. Reggie was elated to have this title bestowed upon him. Her Maternal Grandfather was Tom Prairie Chicken (Imiitaoh’sokoi), and her grandmother was Mini Mountain Horse.
Monica was born in a house and delivered by Suzette Spotted Bull, and also raised in the Moccasin Flats/Moses Lake Community on the Blood Reserve. This is where she made many lifelong relationships. She attended school at the St. Mary’s Residential School in her younger years, then went to high school in Cardston, where she was the first in her immediate family to graduate from high school, which was one accomplishment of many that she was proud of. In her High School years, she met her best friend, the late Oral Chief Moon, who soon led her to her life partner and sweetheart of 52 years, John Chief Moon Jr. After being in a relationship for over a year, they became pregnant with their first child. Monica often told the story of her experience of becoming a first-time mother. She said she went into labor while she was helping John lift poles and such, for a fence he was building. He drove her to the Cardston Municipal Hospital and dropped her off at the entrance, then John went home, not realizing that he was to stay with her. After some time, his mom got a call that Monica had a baby girl. His Mother went to tell him the happy news, and his response & reaction to his wife having the baby was tsaa aaa!
Monica moved to Calgary, where she not only began to raise her family but also began her post-secondary education. Her academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science Degree (Computer Information Systems) from DeVry Institute of Technology, and Phoenix, Arizona; an Accounting Certificate from Hollingshead Business College, Calgary, Alberta; and one semester at Mount Royal College in Calgary. Monica did not finish her time at Mount Royal College, as this is when she lost her hero, her brother Ross, and Monica was not able to navigate through the pain. Monica’s first job after moving to Calgary was a house-cleaning position. She then went on to work for the Nova Corporation and later became an accountant with the City of Calgary. She then made her career change to work in the education department and began working for Treaty Seven Economic Development. After several years with Treaty 7, Monica devoted over 20 years working in education in an administrative capacity with the First Nations Adult and Higher Education Consortium (FNAHEC). Through her employment with FNAHEC, she was able to travel to such places as Ontario, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Winnipeg, and Tennessee. She also played a huge role in hosting the World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education, which brought Indigenous visitors to Stoney Nakoda from all over the world. She and John both worked for Heritage Park, and she stated at that time that it was the best job she had, as she was able to teach our ways and have non-Indigenous people see us through a properly educated lens, which was very rewarding to her. Throughout her career, she has served on several boards, including Trelis and the Elizabeth Fry Society Elders board, and was most recently the treasurer of the Elders’ Knowledge Circle Society. In her latest position, she was also a Knowledge Keeper, Blackfoot instructor, and Traditional Parenting instructor for EFRY Calgary. Through Monica’s employment, she has met many, many colleagues, built new lifelong friendships, and taught anybody who would listen to her about our culture, language and traditions. Despite leaving the reserve at an early age, Monica never lost touch with her roots and remained very much involved in her Blackfoot culture and ceremonies. This included being transferred into the Thunder Short Medicine Pipe Society. Recently, Monica has become more involved in the Calgary community as a knowledge Keeper on various committees, assisting our non-indigenous communities in understanding our First Nations people better so that we can all move forward in a positive and empowering manner.
Monica was a beautiful, loving, caring, and kind woman; she valued her family above all else in life. When her mother passed, Monica immediately took on the role of Matriarch. Everyone respected Monica and looked up to her for guidance; she wasn’t afraid to tell you what you needed to hear either. Monica also gained her mother's nurturing heart. If Monica were able to have people in her house, it would never be empty. Monica was also a lover of dogs; her dog now is very vicious, Cujo-like, and therefore Monica would have to visit with friends and family outside so they wouldn’t get eaten for supper. She had another dog named Brian, whom she loved so much. Approximately 7 years ago, Monica was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm deep in her frontal lobe. After a day or so of feeling bad, someone told the dog, Brian, to kiss Grandma; she’s sick. So, Brian went to Mom and started kissing and licking her feet. Not long after, her dog got sick, and he ended up getting heart cancer, and later had to be put down. Monica had to go for her next check-up for her aneurysm, and the films and other imaging came back negative; the brain aneurysm was completely gone, which is why she has such a love for dogs, but especially Brian, for he had taken her illness from her.
Monica leaves behind her Husband of 52 years, John Chief Moon; four children, Annie Chief Moon, John Ross Chief Moon, Ty Chief Moon, and Devon Little Shields; and four grandchildren, Tegan Chief Moon, Jovin Eagletail, Lucy Prairie Chicken, and Cashius Old Woman. Traditional Parents, Ruth Scalplock and Francis Melting Tallow. Monica will also be missed by all her siblings: Shirley Prairie Chicken (Barnabus Tall Man), Julie Crazy Bull, Lorna Prairie Chicken, and Felicia Little Shields. Traditional siblings: Daniel Crazy Bull, Wesley Crazy Bull, Sandra Many Feathers (Jason O’Hara), and Carol Bird; and Goddaughter Bonnie Calf Robe. She will be so missed by her best friend, Debbie Eli; her children, Mervin Black Kettle and Paige Black Kettle, whom Monica also considered her grandchildren; her bestie, Steven Kellier, whom she gave the name Spiitsapikwaan; and Roy Bare Shin Bone. She will also be missed by her traditional daughters, Trina Sleigh (Kevin Sandy) and Louise Black Plume. So many nieces, nephews, cousins, and her brother’s and sister’s in-laws, and all her friends she made through the years.
Monica was predeceased by her mother, Lucy Prairie Chicken; father, Reggie Bottle Sr.; and brothers Ross Prairie Chicken, Lorne Prairie Chicken, Calvin Prairie Chicken, and Andrew Prairie Chicken. Sister-in-law, Brenda Mistaken Chief. Her nieces: Stephanie Prairie Chicken, Noel Chief Moon, Samara Chief Moon, Cassidy Chief Moon; Great Nieces: Gina Good Dagger, Stephanie Good Dagger; Great Nephew: Justin Little Shields; and her God children: Marvin Bird and Jason Bird.
She had a very special relationship with all her nieces and nephews, and they all looked up to Monica and loved her so much. Monica had many relatives from the Prairie Chickens, Heavy Runners, Calf Robes, Chief Moons, Crazy Bulls, Newbreasts, Melting Tallows, Big Heads, and Birds.
The Family would like to extend their utmost appreciation to the nursing staff on Unit 38 at the South Health Campus for their round-the-clock love and care for our mother during her last days. A special thanks to Nurse Jewel for your amazing love and support for both Monica and her daughter, Annie, and for ensuring they were always well looked after.
The Wake Service will be held on Sunday, July 12 from 6:00 - 11:00 pm at Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve. The Funeral Service will be held on Monday, July 13 at 12:00 pm at the Cardston Civic Center (67 3rd Ave West, Cardston). Interment will follow in the Chief Moon Family Cemetery.
Click to Send Condolences to the Family
(Sattsitapiaakii) - Southern Belle
May 9, 1955 – July 2, 2026
It is with immense pain and sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Matriarch, Monica Chief Moon (Satsitapiakii) at the age of 71. Monica was the eldest daughter of the Late Lucy Rose Prairie Chicken (Si ka kii). Monica was not fortunate enough to have known or met her biological father before his passing; however, she developed a father-daughter relationship with the Late Reggie Bottle Sr., whom she lovingly called Dad. Reggie was elated to have this title bestowed upon him. Her Maternal Grandfather was Tom Prairie Chicken (Imiitaoh’sokoi), and her grandmother was Mini Mountain Horse.
Monica was born in a house and delivered by Suzette Spotted Bull, and also raised in the Moccasin Flats/Moses Lake Community on the Blood Reserve. This is where she made many lifelong relationships. She attended school at the St. Mary’s Residential School in her younger years, then went to high school in Cardston, where she was the first in her immediate family to graduate from high school, which was one accomplishment of many that she was proud of. In her High School years, she met her best friend, the late Oral Chief Moon, who soon led her to her life partner and sweetheart of 52 years, John Chief Moon Jr. After being in a relationship for over a year, they became pregnant with their first child. Monica often told the story of her experience of becoming a first-time mother. She said she went into labor while she was helping John lift poles and such, for a fence he was building. He drove her to the Cardston Municipal Hospital and dropped her off at the entrance, then John went home, not realizing that he was to stay with her. After some time, his mom got a call that Monica had a baby girl. His Mother went to tell him the happy news, and his response & reaction to his wife having the baby was tsaa aaa!
Monica moved to Calgary, where she not only began to raise her family but also began her post-secondary education. Her academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science Degree (Computer Information Systems) from DeVry Institute of Technology, and Phoenix, Arizona; an Accounting Certificate from Hollingshead Business College, Calgary, Alberta; and one semester at Mount Royal College in Calgary. Monica did not finish her time at Mount Royal College, as this is when she lost her hero, her brother Ross, and Monica was not able to navigate through the pain. Monica’s first job after moving to Calgary was a house-cleaning position. She then went on to work for the Nova Corporation and later became an accountant with the City of Calgary. She then made her career change to work in the education department and began working for Treaty Seven Economic Development. After several years with Treaty 7, Monica devoted over 20 years working in education in an administrative capacity with the First Nations Adult and Higher Education Consortium (FNAHEC). Through her employment with FNAHEC, she was able to travel to such places as Ontario, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Winnipeg, and Tennessee. She also played a huge role in hosting the World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education, which brought Indigenous visitors to Stoney Nakoda from all over the world. She and John both worked for Heritage Park, and she stated at that time that it was the best job she had, as she was able to teach our ways and have non-Indigenous people see us through a properly educated lens, which was very rewarding to her. Throughout her career, she has served on several boards, including Trelis and the Elizabeth Fry Society Elders board, and was most recently the treasurer of the Elders’ Knowledge Circle Society. In her latest position, she was also a Knowledge Keeper, Blackfoot instructor, and Traditional Parenting instructor for EFRY Calgary. Through Monica’s employment, she has met many, many colleagues, built new lifelong friendships, and taught anybody who would listen to her about our culture, language and traditions. Despite leaving the reserve at an early age, Monica never lost touch with her roots and remained very much involved in her Blackfoot culture and ceremonies. This included being transferred into the Thunder Short Medicine Pipe Society. Recently, Monica has become more involved in the Calgary community as a knowledge Keeper on various committees, assisting our non-indigenous communities in understanding our First Nations people better so that we can all move forward in a positive and empowering manner.
Monica was a beautiful, loving, caring, and kind woman; she valued her family above all else in life. When her mother passed, Monica immediately took on the role of Matriarch. Everyone respected Monica and looked up to her for guidance; she wasn’t afraid to tell you what you needed to hear either. Monica also gained her mother's nurturing heart. If Monica were able to have people in her house, it would never be empty. Monica was also a lover of dogs; her dog now is very vicious, Cujo-like, and therefore Monica would have to visit with friends and family outside so they wouldn’t get eaten for supper. She had another dog named Brian, whom she loved so much. Approximately 7 years ago, Monica was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm deep in her frontal lobe. After a day or so of feeling bad, someone told the dog, Brian, to kiss Grandma; she’s sick. So, Brian went to Mom and started kissing and licking her feet. Not long after, her dog got sick, and he ended up getting heart cancer, and later had to be put down. Monica had to go for her next check-up for her aneurysm, and the films and other imaging came back negative; the brain aneurysm was completely gone, which is why she has such a love for dogs, but especially Brian, for he had taken her illness from her.
Monica leaves behind her Husband of 52 years, John Chief Moon; four children, Annie Chief Moon, John Ross Chief Moon, Ty Chief Moon, and Devon Little Shields; and four grandchildren, Tegan Chief Moon, Jovin Eagletail, Lucy Prairie Chicken, and Cashius Old Woman. Traditional Parents, Ruth Scalplock and Francis Melting Tallow. Monica will also be missed by all her siblings: Shirley Prairie Chicken (Barnabus Tall Man), Julie Crazy Bull, Lorna Prairie Chicken, and Felicia Little Shields. Traditional siblings: Daniel Crazy Bull, Wesley Crazy Bull, Sandra Many Feathers (Jason O’Hara), and Carol Bird; and Goddaughter Bonnie Calf Robe. She will be so missed by her best friend, Debbie Eli; her children, Mervin Black Kettle and Paige Black Kettle, whom Monica also considered her grandchildren; her bestie, Steven Kellier, whom she gave the name Spiitsapikwaan; and Roy Bare Shin Bone. She will also be missed by her traditional daughters, Trina Sleigh (Kevin Sandy) and Louise Black Plume. So many nieces, nephews, cousins, and her brother’s and sister’s in-laws, and all her friends she made through the years.
Monica was predeceased by her mother, Lucy Prairie Chicken; father, Reggie Bottle Sr.; and brothers Ross Prairie Chicken, Lorne Prairie Chicken, Calvin Prairie Chicken, and Andrew Prairie Chicken. Sister-in-law, Brenda Mistaken Chief. Her nieces: Stephanie Prairie Chicken, Noel Chief Moon, Samara Chief Moon, Cassidy Chief Moon; Great Nieces: Gina Good Dagger, Stephanie Good Dagger; Great Nephew: Justin Little Shields; and her God children: Marvin Bird and Jason Bird.
She had a very special relationship with all her nieces and nephews, and they all looked up to Monica and loved her so much. Monica had many relatives from the Prairie Chickens, Heavy Runners, Calf Robes, Chief Moons, Crazy Bulls, Newbreasts, Melting Tallows, Big Heads, and Birds.
The Family would like to extend their utmost appreciation to the nursing staff on Unit 38 at the South Health Campus for their round-the-clock love and care for our mother during her last days. A special thanks to Nurse Jewel for your amazing love and support for both Monica and her daughter, Annie, and for ensuring they were always well looked after.
The Wake Service will be held on Sunday, July 12 from 6:00 - 11:00 pm at Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve. The Funeral Service will be held on Monday, July 13 at 12:00 pm at the Cardston Civic Center (67 3rd Ave West, Cardston). Interment will follow in the Chief Moon Family Cemetery.
Click to Send Condolences to the Family