BERNADETTE (OKA) BLACK WATER
OKA - BLACK WATER
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandma, Bernadette (Oka) Black Water. She was born on September 2,1952 at the Blood Indian Hospital and passed suddenly on August 25, 2021, on the Blood Reserve.
Bernadette leaves behind her children; Monica Black Water, Crystal Chickory (Ace) Black Water, Delroy Jr. (Marina) Oka, Jackie Oka, and Brooks (Marcel) Day Rider. Her grandchildren- Whitney Oka, Kyle Red Crow, Billie Black Water, Jesse Hairy Bull, Carter No Chief, Millie Day Rider, Jacob Black Rabbit, Natalie Oka, Mary Jane Iron Shirt, Matteo, and Zoe Oka. Great grandchildren-Lucas Sweet Grass, Aya Bougie, Kole-Jay Eagle Speaker. Her brothers- Ross Black Water, Stanley Black Water Jr., and sister -Delores (Jack) DenHollander; Aunties- Veronica (Ray) Brewer, Christina Good Dagger, Ada Red Crow, and her Sweat Family. She remained friends with Delroy Oka throughout the years as they shared many moments with their children. Her in-laws- Maves Oka Mitchell, Ronalda (Cyril) Eagle Child.
She was predeceased by her common law husband, John Day Rider; her parents Stanley Sr. and Theresa Black Water; biological mother Dora Healy and adopted mother, Lucy Day Chief. Grandparents- Mary Black Water, Henry Cochrane, Harry and Clara Big Throat and Joe Healy and Louise Prairie Chicken. Sisters-Sandra Black Water and Brenda Quesnelle, brothers- Harley Black Water and Carl (Mittens) Black Water; numerous aunts and uncles as well as nieces and nephew and other relatives. Her in-laws Leita Big Sorrel Horse, Martha Minoose, Evelyn Bird, Alymer Oka, Mary & Dan Cardinal.
Bernadette was 4 years old when she lost her mother. Stanley remarried to Theresa Black Water who loved and raised Bernadette as her own child. Bernadette grew up always watching out for her younger siblings and helping around the house. She was a true big sister.
Her formal education started at Standoff Day School, and she also attended school in Fort Macleod. She graduated from a life skills program then entered the work force. Her various jobs included making jewelry with Aragonites down at the old Standoff Day School, as a cook at the Etoiyope restaurant with the late Patsy Rabbit, and as a homemaker with Standoff FCSS. Later in life, she went back to upgrade at the Lethbridge College satellite school in Cardston. She received an award for completing her program. Afterwards, she received her High School Diploma from Red Crow Community College. She truly wanted to pursue her post-secondary education, but her health issues became a concern.
Whitney Oka, and Jamal Oka were two of her grandchildren she raised; teaching them the traditional way of life and to always pray. Bernadette had a tremendous loved for her children as well as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking frybread & bannock and volunteered her services to cook if people needed her. Bernadette was friendly and always there to lend a helping hand whenever she could. She was a genuine person so very beautiful and humble. Bernadette enjoyed the simple life! Her best job was simply being a mother, grandmother and great grandmother always loving and supporting them in any event or celebration they had. Our mother had the best smile and would light up a room. Bernadette made everyone feel welcome in her home.
Bernadette was raised as a Catholic and continued her faith by attending church on Sundays and saying her daily rosaries. She loved her traditional way of life attended Sundances, Sweats, Lodges, Pipe Ceremonies, all night smokes, and through her dedication, she pierced, danced, and received a Bundle and Pipe.
Throughout her lifetime, Bernadette met many people and became close with her many of her friends. She had many adopted siblings and children too numerous to mention. She was totally loved by people who knew and met her. Dela Hunt, Louise Brave Rock, Linda & Darryl Three Person, Chester Day Chief, Bruce Day Chief and Roger Prairie Chicken where very special and important people in her life as they became her siblings. Her favorite time was when Dela or Louise, or Linda & Darryl picked her up to cruise and she enjoyed her time with them. She always spoke with Roger on the phone and to Chester her traditional brother.
Bernadette will be sadly missed by those who loved her dearly, she was simply amazing to her children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren and to all those who knew our beautiful mother. The family apologizes for any family that was missed.
The Wake Service will be from 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm on Friday, September 3 at Bernadette’s residence. The Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, September 4 at 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Blood Reserve. Interment to take place in St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Stand Off, AB.
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandma, Bernadette (Oka) Black Water. She was born on September 2,1952 at the Blood Indian Hospital and passed suddenly on August 25, 2021, on the Blood Reserve.
Bernadette leaves behind her children; Monica Black Water, Crystal Chickory (Ace) Black Water, Delroy Jr. (Marina) Oka, Jackie Oka, and Brooks (Marcel) Day Rider. Her grandchildren- Whitney Oka, Kyle Red Crow, Billie Black Water, Jesse Hairy Bull, Carter No Chief, Millie Day Rider, Jacob Black Rabbit, Natalie Oka, Mary Jane Iron Shirt, Matteo, and Zoe Oka. Great grandchildren-Lucas Sweet Grass, Aya Bougie, Kole-Jay Eagle Speaker. Her brothers- Ross Black Water, Stanley Black Water Jr., and sister -Delores (Jack) DenHollander; Aunties- Veronica (Ray) Brewer, Christina Good Dagger, Ada Red Crow, and her Sweat Family. She remained friends with Delroy Oka throughout the years as they shared many moments with their children. Her in-laws- Maves Oka Mitchell, Ronalda (Cyril) Eagle Child.
She was predeceased by her common law husband, John Day Rider; her parents Stanley Sr. and Theresa Black Water; biological mother Dora Healy and adopted mother, Lucy Day Chief. Grandparents- Mary Black Water, Henry Cochrane, Harry and Clara Big Throat and Joe Healy and Louise Prairie Chicken. Sisters-Sandra Black Water and Brenda Quesnelle, brothers- Harley Black Water and Carl (Mittens) Black Water; numerous aunts and uncles as well as nieces and nephew and other relatives. Her in-laws Leita Big Sorrel Horse, Martha Minoose, Evelyn Bird, Alymer Oka, Mary & Dan Cardinal.
Bernadette was 4 years old when she lost her mother. Stanley remarried to Theresa Black Water who loved and raised Bernadette as her own child. Bernadette grew up always watching out for her younger siblings and helping around the house. She was a true big sister.
Her formal education started at Standoff Day School, and she also attended school in Fort Macleod. She graduated from a life skills program then entered the work force. Her various jobs included making jewelry with Aragonites down at the old Standoff Day School, as a cook at the Etoiyope restaurant with the late Patsy Rabbit, and as a homemaker with Standoff FCSS. Later in life, she went back to upgrade at the Lethbridge College satellite school in Cardston. She received an award for completing her program. Afterwards, she received her High School Diploma from Red Crow Community College. She truly wanted to pursue her post-secondary education, but her health issues became a concern.
Whitney Oka, and Jamal Oka were two of her grandchildren she raised; teaching them the traditional way of life and to always pray. Bernadette had a tremendous loved for her children as well as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking frybread & bannock and volunteered her services to cook if people needed her. Bernadette was friendly and always there to lend a helping hand whenever she could. She was a genuine person so very beautiful and humble. Bernadette enjoyed the simple life! Her best job was simply being a mother, grandmother and great grandmother always loving and supporting them in any event or celebration they had. Our mother had the best smile and would light up a room. Bernadette made everyone feel welcome in her home.
Bernadette was raised as a Catholic and continued her faith by attending church on Sundays and saying her daily rosaries. She loved her traditional way of life attended Sundances, Sweats, Lodges, Pipe Ceremonies, all night smokes, and through her dedication, she pierced, danced, and received a Bundle and Pipe.
Throughout her lifetime, Bernadette met many people and became close with her many of her friends. She had many adopted siblings and children too numerous to mention. She was totally loved by people who knew and met her. Dela Hunt, Louise Brave Rock, Linda & Darryl Three Person, Chester Day Chief, Bruce Day Chief and Roger Prairie Chicken where very special and important people in her life as they became her siblings. Her favorite time was when Dela or Louise, or Linda & Darryl picked her up to cruise and she enjoyed her time with them. She always spoke with Roger on the phone and to Chester her traditional brother.
Bernadette will be sadly missed by those who loved her dearly, she was simply amazing to her children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren and to all those who knew our beautiful mother. The family apologizes for any family that was missed.
The Wake Service will be from 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm on Friday, September 3 at Bernadette’s residence. The Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, September 4 at 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Blood Reserve. Interment to take place in St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Stand Off, AB.