Matoomohkitopi - Rod First Rider
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of “Matoomohkitopi” Rod First Rider who passed away peacefully on Tuesday March 26, 2024, in the Cardston Hospital at the age of 76.
A great leader, husband, son, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, nephew and friend were all titles Rod cherished and held to the highest regard. Our Patriarch will be sadly missed. Rod was born on April 5, 1947, in Cardston, AB and passed away peacefully on March 26, 2024, at the age of 76.
He is survived by his wife, the love of his life Laverne First Rider, his mother Mary First Rider, his stepmother Rita Many Fingers, his children Stacey, Diddy, RJ, Russell (Crystal), Victor, John (Stacey), Lane (Arlene), Dacia (Kelijah). He is also survived by his grandchildren: Eldon English and daughter, Ty (Mykyla), Taylor (Sierra), Kirbi, Talon, Hayden, Jace, Zoey, Kylie, Rylie, Odessa, Draeden (Mika), Raegan, Presley, Peyton, Raelynn and Tryan. Great grandchildren Amari, Halo, Mckinnley, Tanner, Sienna, Kallum, Sekoya as well as numerous other grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He is predeceased by his father Pete Many Fingers (his hero), his biological father Edward Red Crow and 2 infant boys, Rodney (Bubbles) English, his great-granddaughter Willow Rose Brave Rock his grandsons Leland English and Theron Meguinis.
Rod was born in Cardston, AB to Edward Red Crow and Mary First Rider. At a very young age Mary met Pete Many Fingers who became Rods father and which he had a very close relationship with until Pete’s passing in 2019.
Rod went to St. Paul’s Residential School on the Blood Reserve, secondary school in Cardston and later went on to receive his Social Work Diploma from Mount Royal College/University.
He began his social work career in 1972 until 1995 working for Blood Tribe Social Services, Williams Lake Treatment Centre and Blood Tribe Counselling Services. He began his leadership career in 1996 until 2012 as Council member of the Blood Tribe Chief and Council. Rod was a very strong negotiator for First Nation Rights, specifically for the Blood Reserve.
Rod was also a part of many Boards and Committees to name a few: Blood Tribe Department of Health Board of Directors, Kainai Board of Education, Blood Tribe Land Dispute Committee, Blood Tribe Agricultural Project, Kainai Resources Inc. Because of his commitment to bettering the lives of our people, he was honored by Indian Affairs for his dedication to the development of the Kainai Children Services, Kainai Board of Education for his dedication and support in the revitalization of the Blackfoot Language 2019. He received recognition for fine performance for his dedication to the Blood Tribe Social Development 1993.
Rods passion was antiques. He had a collection of historic items of all sorts. One of his dreams was to have a Sports Hall of Fame for the Blood Tribe to recognize and promote our athletes. He loved sports and instilled this passion in his children. He was instrumental in starting the Kainai Golden Chief’s hockey team and the Bullhorn boxing club. Rod loved to travel, and he would make his way to various rodeos in Canada and the United States and as a true cowboy, he participated in the bull dogging event.
Rod was very proud of his children and his grandchildren and did his best to make every celebration in their lives. He would often show up to birthday parties, graduation ceremonies, hockey games and powwows to show his support. He had the biggest and brightest smile each time he saw his children. He was such a proud father and grandfather, and he will be sincerely missed by his children and grandchildren.
He is also survived by brothers Blair First Rider, Harvey Many Fingers, sisters Pam (Lucius) Wadsworth, Wanda (Scotty) Many Guns, Carrie First Rider, friend Phillip, Lorraine (Barry) Many Fingers, Jennifer Crying Head, uncle Ervine First Rider, aunts Nora and Joyce First Rider and his in-laws the Day Chief family who respected and loved him very much as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He is also predeceased by his grandparents George (Matoomohkitopi) and Jane (Isstoi’kamosaa’kii) First Rider, uncles Herbert, Edward, Clive and Randolph First Rider, Aunties Jocelyn, Meridan (Ray), Rosabelle, Margaret First Rider, sister Esther First Rider, Bernice, Katherine and Clara Red Crow, Loretta Soop, Phyllis and Melinda Red Crow. Brothers Lambert Many Fingers, Burton, Horace, Edward, Albert, Wilton Red Crow, Chris Twigg, Anthony Wells, Keith Red Crow, nephews Blaine Wadsworth, Sylvester First Rider and niece Mamie Jane First Rider.
Rod was very fond of his family and extended family Mistaken Chiefs, Hind Bulls, Weasel Moccasin, Many Fingers, Creightons, Day Chiefs, Standing Alone, Wells, Big Throats. He is also survived by many relatives from the Blood Reserve, Siksika Nation, Blackfeet Nation, Pikani Nation and also from parts of Canada, United States and abroad. Special close friends Ralph and Isabelle Davis from Thunder Bay, ON.
He had the opportunity to meet the Dalai Lama with his headdress and buckskin outfit on and to his surprise the Dalai Lama was honored by his presence. He was also influential in having the Headdress and Buckskin Outfit a part of the Houston Stockman Rodeo, the first time ever something other than a cowboy hat was worn in the parade. Rod will be sadly missed and forever remembered for the man he was and as a leader for the Blood Reserve and Blackfoot Confederacy.
A Wake Service will be held on Monday, April 1, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and the Funeral Service on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve. It would be an honour for Headdresses to be worn at the funeral as we celebrate the legacy of Matoomohkitopi. Interment First Rider Family Plot. Please join us for a meal at Gladstone Hall after the Interment.
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It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of “Matoomohkitopi” Rod First Rider who passed away peacefully on Tuesday March 26, 2024, in the Cardston Hospital at the age of 76.
A great leader, husband, son, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, nephew and friend were all titles Rod cherished and held to the highest regard. Our Patriarch will be sadly missed. Rod was born on April 5, 1947, in Cardston, AB and passed away peacefully on March 26, 2024, at the age of 76.
He is survived by his wife, the love of his life Laverne First Rider, his mother Mary First Rider, his stepmother Rita Many Fingers, his children Stacey, Diddy, RJ, Russell (Crystal), Victor, John (Stacey), Lane (Arlene), Dacia (Kelijah). He is also survived by his grandchildren: Eldon English and daughter, Ty (Mykyla), Taylor (Sierra), Kirbi, Talon, Hayden, Jace, Zoey, Kylie, Rylie, Odessa, Draeden (Mika), Raegan, Presley, Peyton, Raelynn and Tryan. Great grandchildren Amari, Halo, Mckinnley, Tanner, Sienna, Kallum, Sekoya as well as numerous other grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He is predeceased by his father Pete Many Fingers (his hero), his biological father Edward Red Crow and 2 infant boys, Rodney (Bubbles) English, his great-granddaughter Willow Rose Brave Rock his grandsons Leland English and Theron Meguinis.
Rod was born in Cardston, AB to Edward Red Crow and Mary First Rider. At a very young age Mary met Pete Many Fingers who became Rods father and which he had a very close relationship with until Pete’s passing in 2019.
Rod went to St. Paul’s Residential School on the Blood Reserve, secondary school in Cardston and later went on to receive his Social Work Diploma from Mount Royal College/University.
He began his social work career in 1972 until 1995 working for Blood Tribe Social Services, Williams Lake Treatment Centre and Blood Tribe Counselling Services. He began his leadership career in 1996 until 2012 as Council member of the Blood Tribe Chief and Council. Rod was a very strong negotiator for First Nation Rights, specifically for the Blood Reserve.
Rod was also a part of many Boards and Committees to name a few: Blood Tribe Department of Health Board of Directors, Kainai Board of Education, Blood Tribe Land Dispute Committee, Blood Tribe Agricultural Project, Kainai Resources Inc. Because of his commitment to bettering the lives of our people, he was honored by Indian Affairs for his dedication to the development of the Kainai Children Services, Kainai Board of Education for his dedication and support in the revitalization of the Blackfoot Language 2019. He received recognition for fine performance for his dedication to the Blood Tribe Social Development 1993.
Rods passion was antiques. He had a collection of historic items of all sorts. One of his dreams was to have a Sports Hall of Fame for the Blood Tribe to recognize and promote our athletes. He loved sports and instilled this passion in his children. He was instrumental in starting the Kainai Golden Chief’s hockey team and the Bullhorn boxing club. Rod loved to travel, and he would make his way to various rodeos in Canada and the United States and as a true cowboy, he participated in the bull dogging event.
Rod was very proud of his children and his grandchildren and did his best to make every celebration in their lives. He would often show up to birthday parties, graduation ceremonies, hockey games and powwows to show his support. He had the biggest and brightest smile each time he saw his children. He was such a proud father and grandfather, and he will be sincerely missed by his children and grandchildren.
He is also survived by brothers Blair First Rider, Harvey Many Fingers, sisters Pam (Lucius) Wadsworth, Wanda (Scotty) Many Guns, Carrie First Rider, friend Phillip, Lorraine (Barry) Many Fingers, Jennifer Crying Head, uncle Ervine First Rider, aunts Nora and Joyce First Rider and his in-laws the Day Chief family who respected and loved him very much as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He is also predeceased by his grandparents George (Matoomohkitopi) and Jane (Isstoi’kamosaa’kii) First Rider, uncles Herbert, Edward, Clive and Randolph First Rider, Aunties Jocelyn, Meridan (Ray), Rosabelle, Margaret First Rider, sister Esther First Rider, Bernice, Katherine and Clara Red Crow, Loretta Soop, Phyllis and Melinda Red Crow. Brothers Lambert Many Fingers, Burton, Horace, Edward, Albert, Wilton Red Crow, Chris Twigg, Anthony Wells, Keith Red Crow, nephews Blaine Wadsworth, Sylvester First Rider and niece Mamie Jane First Rider.
Rod was very fond of his family and extended family Mistaken Chiefs, Hind Bulls, Weasel Moccasin, Many Fingers, Creightons, Day Chiefs, Standing Alone, Wells, Big Throats. He is also survived by many relatives from the Blood Reserve, Siksika Nation, Blackfeet Nation, Pikani Nation and also from parts of Canada, United States and abroad. Special close friends Ralph and Isabelle Davis from Thunder Bay, ON.
He had the opportunity to meet the Dalai Lama with his headdress and buckskin outfit on and to his surprise the Dalai Lama was honored by his presence. He was also influential in having the Headdress and Buckskin Outfit a part of the Houston Stockman Rodeo, the first time ever something other than a cowboy hat was worn in the parade. Rod will be sadly missed and forever remembered for the man he was and as a leader for the Blood Reserve and Blackfoot Confederacy.
A Wake Service will be held on Monday, April 1, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and the Funeral Service on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve. It would be an honour for Headdresses to be worn at the funeral as we celebrate the legacy of Matoomohkitopi. Interment First Rider Family Plot. Please join us for a meal at Gladstone Hall after the Interment.
Click to Send the Family Condolences