IDA (Aapaipiitakii) LITTLE MAN CROW SPREADS HIS WINGS, RIDER passed away in Cardston, AB on August 1, 2020 at the age of 82 years. Ida was born to the late Mary Little Man and Bob Rider. She went to the residential school in St. Mary’s at a young age till she was 16 years old. She became sick and was transferred to the hospital in Edmonton for one year. In her teenage life she worked in various towns such as Lethbridge, Raymond, Magrath, and Coaldale doing such things as farm work, sugar beet work, and the canning factory. She also worked in B.C. and Washington picking fruit. In 1985 she worked at the Blood Tribe Health Center for 10 years as a custodian. She also worked at the Police Station and FCSS. She retired at the age of 65 years. Aapaipiitakii also participated in the Sundance for 7 years. She made her own beaded outfit. She went to the sundances in Heart Butte and Montana, U.S.A. Ida met her common law husband Gordon Plain Woman in the early 70’s and they were together for about 10 years. Ida went to school at St. Mary’s. There were negative stories during that part of her life.
She rarely talked about it. That part of her life was left behind her. Ida grew up beside her mother and maternal grandmother. Ida was a very compassionate woman and very private. We often heard stories of her grandmother, mother, and her siblings. Ida was protective and concerned for her cousins and nephews and nieces. She was always checking up on them. She greeted anyone she knew everywhere she went. Ida was very private and also very traditional, what was confidential to her stayed confidential and we respected her for that. Ida led a positive life and she was always giving thanks to our creator. What we learned from Aapaipiitakii will stay within us and it will be passed down to her many young relatives. Ida was our pillar, she was a big part of our lives, we will miss her immensely. She leaves to mourn numerous relatives and friends. Ida is survived by her family; Tessie Rider, Georgina Medicine Crane, William (Carma) Crow Chief, Patrick Crow Chief, Duayne (Wilma) Crow Chief, Corrina Crow Chief, Myra Crow, Mary Ann (Harvey) Healy, Calvin Crow; Alexis Hayden, and Bentley. Other relatives also include the following families: Stabs Down, Shade, Big Swallow, Scout, Big Sorrel Horse, Many Grey Horses, Red Crow, Black Water, Plaited Hair, Bare Shin Bone, Ida was predeceased by her parents Bob Rider “Iihkitopii” and Mary (nee Little Man) “Mianistipiiksii”; maternal grandparents, Akaoh’kayi and Matoiitapiim; paternal grandparents, Iihkiitopi and Mikskimitakii (Iron Woman), Crow Spreads His Wings and Annie Wind Don’t Blow; her siblings, Joseph, William, Sam, Louise, Margaret and Raymond; nephews Claude Crow Spreads His Wings, Addison Crow Spreads His Wings, Dexter Rider, Samuel Wolf Plume; and her nieces Delores Crow Spreads His Wings, Katherine Rider, Joyce Wolf Plume, Connie Wolf Plume, Rose (Plain Woman) Crow Chief; and also Ryan, Kenton, and Lacy Williams. Ida is also predeceased by Mary (Wallace) Crow Chief, Ksistiikomstohkomi (Harry Shade’s Mother), Mrs. Big Swallow, Mary (Bob) Plaited Hair, Mary Paula Black Water, Stabs Down, Eva Hind Bull.
A Wake Service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Monday, August 10th from 3:00 - 8:00 pm. A Viewing will be held on Tuesday, August 11th from 9:30 - 11:00 with a Funeral Service to follow at 11:00 am. Interment to follow in St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Standoff, AB.
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LEGACY FUNERAL HOMES LTD., CARDSTON Assisting the Family. Phone 403-653-3222.