It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sandra Grace Old Shoes – Small Eyes, Nioo’skasaa’amaakii (Three Medicine Woman). She passed away peacefully on February 19, 2023 with the love of her life Curtis Small Eyes; by her side. Sandra Grace was born on May 15, 1958, at the Blood Indian Hospital to Percy and Voila Joyce (Weasel Moccasin) Old Shoes. She was the second eldest of six children.
In 1961, Sandra began her educational journey at the St. Paul’s residential school for her primary education. She than participated in the Mormon placement program, whereby she was placed in Edmonton and Vancouver for her elementary school years. She returned home and continued her junior and senior high school years at Cardston Jr./Sr. High School.
Sandra was a talented artist like our father Percy. She had many artistic talents such as: beading, painting, and sewing. She ultimately specialized in Native Arts and Crafts. Not only was she artistic but she was gifted with athletic abilities. She excelled and participated in basketball, track and field and Volleyball. Sandra was a member of the first all Native Junior varsity basketball team for the Junior High School in Cardston. She was first string, and their team was undefeated in their league for Southern Alberta. In track and field, Sandra was a sprinter and cleaned “house” by winning at the local track and field meets in the surrounding communities of Levern, Moses Lake and Standoff. Sandra played volleyball in school and within the community, she was fortunate enough to have a strong team that won at many local tournaments.
Sandra’s strong work ethic helped in obtaining summer work experience with Blood Tribe Recreation as a Youth Counsellor. She accompanied her students to Cross-bell campground and numerous track and field events during the summer. She graduated from Cardston High School in 1974, after graduation Sandra worked for Indian News media as a circulation clerk delivering the newspaper to various Southern Alberta outlets. Indian News media closed its operation and Sandra returned to school, she enrolled at Henderson Business College where she received her diploma. Upon successful completion she received a job with Indian Affairs for the Lethbridge district. When the branch closed its office, as a union worker, Sandra was relocated to the Standoff Health department until the Blood Band received control of Indian Health. Sandra chose early retirement from Indian Affairs because she did not want to relocate north or out of province.
Sandra met her life long partner, Curtis and started a family. Sandra and Curtis were blessed with three beautiful children. Their first-born Lonnie and twins Nigel and Jasmine. They are also blessed with grandchildren. Sandra continued to work and raise her family. She helped pioneer the Native Liaison program with Lethbridge school district 51 with the public school system. Being a fluent Blackfoot speaker along with her artistic abilities, Sandra taught Blackfoot and arts & crafts to the native students in the school district. She wanted to further her education and returned to school in 2002. She moved to Spokane Washington to attend Spokane Community College where she graduated with her Arts and Science diploma. She was a strong advocate for education and encouraged her children to complete their education. Sandra was very proud of her daughter, Jasmine for completing her Master’s in Social Work from Eastern Washington University in Spokane Washington. She was equally proud of her sons for pursing the trades.
Sandra was an active and last bundle owner of the Okan bundle. She received her bundle from the late Dinah Red Crow and Mrs. Rides at the Door. She was chosen to carry out our traditional teachings. Sandra was a helper and teacher to the late Stella Tall Man, they kept our traditional Okan ceremonies going.
She was an avid Stickgame player and enjoyed the challenge. Her and Curtis enjoyed travelling to places like La Push, Muckleshoot and Yakima Washington. They also attended stickgames in Utah, Fort Hall and Coeur’d’Alene and Fort Duchesne, also several places in Canada to name a few.
Sandra is survived by her grandchildren: Amadeus, Paul, Cassidy; Mia; Markus and sisters: Emily, Sylvia and Gretta Old Shoes and Jean Philistine (Jeff) Maurer. Nieces: Purcella Old Shoes, Ginger Day Chief, Ina Old Shoes-Fairbanks (Max), Isabella Maurer-Old Shoes, Laura Weasel Fat (Jason), Shannon Wells (Craig), Amber Weasel Fat, and Nicole Many Fingers. Nephews: Nick Day Chief, Tyrus and Tobias Old Shoes, Wyatt Old Shoes, Julian Maurer-Old Shoes, Will Weasel Fat, Kogen Wells, Kolten Wells, Dane Many Fingers, and Otto Many Fingers, Jack and Aiden Weasel Fat. Aunt Lauretta Many Bears, Uncles Peter Weasel Moccasin, and John (Holly) Old Shoes. Great Uncle Donald Big Swallow. Sister-in-law Brenda (Bill) Weasel Fat, Brother-in-laws Rutherford and Duane Small Eyes: Numerous Great Nephews and Nieces, Great-Great Niece, cousins, and relatives.
She was predeceased by her parents: Percy and Viola Joyce (Weasel Moccasin) Old Shoes, Maternal Grandparents; Pete and Ada (Hoof) Weasel Moccasin, Paternal Grandparents; Mark and Eva Old Shoes, Brother Ray Old Shoes, Nieces Joyceline and Amanda Old Shoes. Maternal Uncles; Douglas and Derrick Weasel Moccasin, Uncle Brian Many Bears and Aunt Delores Weasel Moccasin. Paternal Uncles; Mark Old Shoes, JR., Joe Old Shoes and Leonard (Bernice) Old Shoes. Paternal Aunts; Kate Old Shoes, Joyce Old Shoes, Alice Old Shoes. Our apologizes if we missed anyone.
A Wake Service will be held at the Tanner Center, Cardston on Tuesday, February 28 from 5:00 - 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, South Hill Chapel, Cardston (950 Main St) on Wednesday, March 1 at 11:00 am. Interment will take place in the Small Eyes Family Cemetery.
In 1961, Sandra began her educational journey at the St. Paul’s residential school for her primary education. She than participated in the Mormon placement program, whereby she was placed in Edmonton and Vancouver for her elementary school years. She returned home and continued her junior and senior high school years at Cardston Jr./Sr. High School.
Sandra was a talented artist like our father Percy. She had many artistic talents such as: beading, painting, and sewing. She ultimately specialized in Native Arts and Crafts. Not only was she artistic but she was gifted with athletic abilities. She excelled and participated in basketball, track and field and Volleyball. Sandra was a member of the first all Native Junior varsity basketball team for the Junior High School in Cardston. She was first string, and their team was undefeated in their league for Southern Alberta. In track and field, Sandra was a sprinter and cleaned “house” by winning at the local track and field meets in the surrounding communities of Levern, Moses Lake and Standoff. Sandra played volleyball in school and within the community, she was fortunate enough to have a strong team that won at many local tournaments.
Sandra’s strong work ethic helped in obtaining summer work experience with Blood Tribe Recreation as a Youth Counsellor. She accompanied her students to Cross-bell campground and numerous track and field events during the summer. She graduated from Cardston High School in 1974, after graduation Sandra worked for Indian News media as a circulation clerk delivering the newspaper to various Southern Alberta outlets. Indian News media closed its operation and Sandra returned to school, she enrolled at Henderson Business College where she received her diploma. Upon successful completion she received a job with Indian Affairs for the Lethbridge district. When the branch closed its office, as a union worker, Sandra was relocated to the Standoff Health department until the Blood Band received control of Indian Health. Sandra chose early retirement from Indian Affairs because she did not want to relocate north or out of province.
Sandra met her life long partner, Curtis and started a family. Sandra and Curtis were blessed with three beautiful children. Their first-born Lonnie and twins Nigel and Jasmine. They are also blessed with grandchildren. Sandra continued to work and raise her family. She helped pioneer the Native Liaison program with Lethbridge school district 51 with the public school system. Being a fluent Blackfoot speaker along with her artistic abilities, Sandra taught Blackfoot and arts & crafts to the native students in the school district. She wanted to further her education and returned to school in 2002. She moved to Spokane Washington to attend Spokane Community College where she graduated with her Arts and Science diploma. She was a strong advocate for education and encouraged her children to complete their education. Sandra was very proud of her daughter, Jasmine for completing her Master’s in Social Work from Eastern Washington University in Spokane Washington. She was equally proud of her sons for pursing the trades.
Sandra was an active and last bundle owner of the Okan bundle. She received her bundle from the late Dinah Red Crow and Mrs. Rides at the Door. She was chosen to carry out our traditional teachings. Sandra was a helper and teacher to the late Stella Tall Man, they kept our traditional Okan ceremonies going.
She was an avid Stickgame player and enjoyed the challenge. Her and Curtis enjoyed travelling to places like La Push, Muckleshoot and Yakima Washington. They also attended stickgames in Utah, Fort Hall and Coeur’d’Alene and Fort Duchesne, also several places in Canada to name a few.
Sandra is survived by her grandchildren: Amadeus, Paul, Cassidy; Mia; Markus and sisters: Emily, Sylvia and Gretta Old Shoes and Jean Philistine (Jeff) Maurer. Nieces: Purcella Old Shoes, Ginger Day Chief, Ina Old Shoes-Fairbanks (Max), Isabella Maurer-Old Shoes, Laura Weasel Fat (Jason), Shannon Wells (Craig), Amber Weasel Fat, and Nicole Many Fingers. Nephews: Nick Day Chief, Tyrus and Tobias Old Shoes, Wyatt Old Shoes, Julian Maurer-Old Shoes, Will Weasel Fat, Kogen Wells, Kolten Wells, Dane Many Fingers, and Otto Many Fingers, Jack and Aiden Weasel Fat. Aunt Lauretta Many Bears, Uncles Peter Weasel Moccasin, and John (Holly) Old Shoes. Great Uncle Donald Big Swallow. Sister-in-law Brenda (Bill) Weasel Fat, Brother-in-laws Rutherford and Duane Small Eyes: Numerous Great Nephews and Nieces, Great-Great Niece, cousins, and relatives.
She was predeceased by her parents: Percy and Viola Joyce (Weasel Moccasin) Old Shoes, Maternal Grandparents; Pete and Ada (Hoof) Weasel Moccasin, Paternal Grandparents; Mark and Eva Old Shoes, Brother Ray Old Shoes, Nieces Joyceline and Amanda Old Shoes. Maternal Uncles; Douglas and Derrick Weasel Moccasin, Uncle Brian Many Bears and Aunt Delores Weasel Moccasin. Paternal Uncles; Mark Old Shoes, JR., Joe Old Shoes and Leonard (Bernice) Old Shoes. Paternal Aunts; Kate Old Shoes, Joyce Old Shoes, Alice Old Shoes. Our apologizes if we missed anyone.
A Wake Service will be held at the Tanner Center, Cardston on Tuesday, February 28 from 5:00 - 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, South Hill Chapel, Cardston (950 Main St) on Wednesday, March 1 at 11:00 am. Interment will take place in the Small Eyes Family Cemetery.