Alexander “Jack” Red Crow
Otahkaapiohkitopii (Palomino Rider)
Alexander or Jack Red Crow passed away at the age of 88 years old at Cardston, Alberta. Jack was born at the Blood Indian Hospital on November 9th, 1934 and he passed away on Sunday, October 8th, 2023 in Cardston.
Jack is part of the Fish Eater Clan “Mamioyiiksi” on his father’s side and the Little Bite or Choking Clan “Pottstakiiksi” on his mother’s side. Jack has a strong and prestigious lineage which includes his paternal Great, Great, Great, Grandfather, Two Suns “Isstookyiaatoosii”; his Great, Great Grandfather, Black Bear “Kyiosiksinaam” and Great-Grandfather, Chief Red Crow “Mi’kai’sto” who was the Head Chief of the Bloods “Kainai” at the signing of Treaty 7 at Blackfoot Crossing Sooyohpawohkoyii in 1877.
Chief Red Crow “Mi’kai’sto” and his wife, Water Bird “Sooyiipiiksi” had a son in 1874. His name was Not An Owl “Katai’sipisttoo” who was given the English name, Willie Red Crow. Willie married “Issikamo’saakii” and one of their sons was Francis Red Crow “Aakaohpohkitoii”.
Jack’s father was Francis “Aakaohpohkitopii”. Jack’s mother was Annie Iron “Itsisttohkiansskii”. Annie’s parents were Iron “Tatsiki’poyi” and Mary Deroche “Saahsii” who was from Browning “Aamskaapipikanaakii”.
Jack’s siblings include: Lawrence Red Crow, Agnes (Fred) Stabs Down, Madeleine (Steve) Molnar, Allan (Mary) Red Crow, Mary (Mike) Devine, Irene (Emile) Wings, Allred (Dinah) Red Crow, Cyril Red Crow and Benedict (Patricia/Mary) Red Crow and a boy who died in infancy.
Jack was also adopted by the family of George and Margaret Fox and their children, Marvin (Lillian) Fox, Delphine (Woodrow) Good Striker, Norbert (Louise) Fox, Leo (David) Fox, Bernard (Barb) Fox, Tony (Theresa) Fox, Arnold Fox, Chief Roy (Genevieve) Fox, Genevieve/Jenny (Dick Pittman) and Jacinta Fox.
From Jack’s first marriage, he became very close to the family of Cecile Russell including her children, James (Lena) Russell, Oliver (Catherine) Russell, Bruce (Connie) Russell, Angela, Charlotte and Sylvia Russell.
In the late 1970’s, Jack met Gloria (Scout) Big Head and with their union, he adopted her children and grandchildren as his own: Floyd (Maxine) Big Head, Leonard Big Head, Ivy Annie Big Head, Ramona Big Head, Emile Big Head, Bonnie Big Head and Jennifer (Terry) Ivins.
Jack and Gloria lovingly raised a few of their grandchildren including Robbie (Roland Gros Ventre Boy) Rabbit, Carmelita (Mervin) Chief Calf, Megan (TJ Devine) Heavy Shields and Baby Alex Batoche. Jack also had a special relationship with his niece, the late, Jackie Red Crow and his son in-law, Jeff Melting Tallow.
Jack shared how he received his names:
“Otahkaapiohkitopii was given to me by my grandfather, Tatsiki’poyi, in memory of his position as the eldest among the Piiksinioota’siiksi. He had the honor of riding at the front with the rest of the [Horn Society] members riding behind him. Grandpa [Tatsiki’poyi] rode an otahkaapii [palomino horse] and it was in memory of this honour that he named me. I was baptized Alexander and before long it was shortened to Alex. One day, Joe Hind Bull was visiting us and after he learned my name was Alexander, he said that it was a complicated name and that he was giving me his name, Jack. From then on I was to be called Jack which was very soon modified to Pokohtsaik”.
Jack is a survivor of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Indian Residential School. He was an athlete and competed in the following sports, baseball, hockey and rodeo. Jack was the Bareback Champion of the Blood Reserve’s first organized rodeo at the Frank Many Fingers’ Lazy B-70 ranch in the early 1950’s.
Jack’s early years was spent working on the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam along the Columbia River in the State of Washington, USA. He also worked on the construction of the Waterton Dam in Alberta. He also worked as a ranch hand for his brother in-laws, Fred Stabs Down and Mike Devine, and also worked for George Fox.
A happy time in Jack’s life was when he married Gloria on May 19th, 1990. His best man was Ernest Black Rabbit and the maid of honor was Maxine (Willows) Big Head.
Jack was always proud of the day he sobered up:
“I haven’t had a drink since January 6th, 1995 and I am glad to say that we are doing much better. I regret the wasted life I once led…. I am very thankful that Higher Powers helped me stay sober. My wife and I and our adopted children are happy. We pray the rosary, go to church and do smudge. We hold regular A.A. meetings here and try to be of assistance in every way possible. Prayer is my salvation and I really pray a lot today.”
Jack was a devout and devoted Catholic and truly lived his beliefs. He never missed a Sunday Church Service. He loved Father Pawel Andrasz and was honored to be an Alter Server at each Sunday Mass. Up until Jack a few years ago, while he was still able to drive, he made a point to attend every funeral on the Blood Reserve, so that he could comfort all of the grieving families.
Jack served as an elder advisor for numerous Blood Tribe Departments and organizations such as the Peace Makers, Children’s Services and Kainai Healing Lodge.
Some of Jack’s most endearing qualities was how his entire face would light up whenever he met his family and friends. He was genuinely happy to greet everyone. Jack was also known for his wonderful sense of humour. Everyone, and I mean everyone, would walk away with a smile and a chuckle after a few moments spent with Jack. We all have a funny story of Jack, but some are not meant to be published!
Jack will be missed by his numerous family members and his adopted children can testify that he was a kind, gentle and generous step-father. He loved his many nieces and nephews, especially his nephews Alfie (Theresa) and Richard (Glenda) Red Crow.
Otahkaapiohkitopii is now reunited in the Spirit World with his wife, Gloria Red Crow; his parents; his siblings and numerous nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
His parting words in the publication, Kitomahkitapiiminnooniksi Stories from our Elders (2003) still hold relevance today:
My advice to the young is: ‘Have self respect and that respect will carry you a long way. Understand yourself, know yourself, know who you are and think before you jump into trouble.”
The Wake Service will be held on Friday, October 13 at Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve from 7:00 pm – 12:00 am. The Funeral Service will take place at St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Church, Blood Reserve, on Saturday, October 14 at 11:00 am. Interment will follow the service at Blood Band Cemetery.
Otahkaapiohkitopii (Palomino Rider)
Alexander or Jack Red Crow passed away at the age of 88 years old at Cardston, Alberta. Jack was born at the Blood Indian Hospital on November 9th, 1934 and he passed away on Sunday, October 8th, 2023 in Cardston.
Jack is part of the Fish Eater Clan “Mamioyiiksi” on his father’s side and the Little Bite or Choking Clan “Pottstakiiksi” on his mother’s side. Jack has a strong and prestigious lineage which includes his paternal Great, Great, Great, Grandfather, Two Suns “Isstookyiaatoosii”; his Great, Great Grandfather, Black Bear “Kyiosiksinaam” and Great-Grandfather, Chief Red Crow “Mi’kai’sto” who was the Head Chief of the Bloods “Kainai” at the signing of Treaty 7 at Blackfoot Crossing Sooyohpawohkoyii in 1877.
Chief Red Crow “Mi’kai’sto” and his wife, Water Bird “Sooyiipiiksi” had a son in 1874. His name was Not An Owl “Katai’sipisttoo” who was given the English name, Willie Red Crow. Willie married “Issikamo’saakii” and one of their sons was Francis Red Crow “Aakaohpohkitoii”.
Jack’s father was Francis “Aakaohpohkitopii”. Jack’s mother was Annie Iron “Itsisttohkiansskii”. Annie’s parents were Iron “Tatsiki’poyi” and Mary Deroche “Saahsii” who was from Browning “Aamskaapipikanaakii”.
Jack’s siblings include: Lawrence Red Crow, Agnes (Fred) Stabs Down, Madeleine (Steve) Molnar, Allan (Mary) Red Crow, Mary (Mike) Devine, Irene (Emile) Wings, Allred (Dinah) Red Crow, Cyril Red Crow and Benedict (Patricia/Mary) Red Crow and a boy who died in infancy.
Jack was also adopted by the family of George and Margaret Fox and their children, Marvin (Lillian) Fox, Delphine (Woodrow) Good Striker, Norbert (Louise) Fox, Leo (David) Fox, Bernard (Barb) Fox, Tony (Theresa) Fox, Arnold Fox, Chief Roy (Genevieve) Fox, Genevieve/Jenny (Dick Pittman) and Jacinta Fox.
From Jack’s first marriage, he became very close to the family of Cecile Russell including her children, James (Lena) Russell, Oliver (Catherine) Russell, Bruce (Connie) Russell, Angela, Charlotte and Sylvia Russell.
In the late 1970’s, Jack met Gloria (Scout) Big Head and with their union, he adopted her children and grandchildren as his own: Floyd (Maxine) Big Head, Leonard Big Head, Ivy Annie Big Head, Ramona Big Head, Emile Big Head, Bonnie Big Head and Jennifer (Terry) Ivins.
Jack and Gloria lovingly raised a few of their grandchildren including Robbie (Roland Gros Ventre Boy) Rabbit, Carmelita (Mervin) Chief Calf, Megan (TJ Devine) Heavy Shields and Baby Alex Batoche. Jack also had a special relationship with his niece, the late, Jackie Red Crow and his son in-law, Jeff Melting Tallow.
Jack shared how he received his names:
“Otahkaapiohkitopii was given to me by my grandfather, Tatsiki’poyi, in memory of his position as the eldest among the Piiksinioota’siiksi. He had the honor of riding at the front with the rest of the [Horn Society] members riding behind him. Grandpa [Tatsiki’poyi] rode an otahkaapii [palomino horse] and it was in memory of this honour that he named me. I was baptized Alexander and before long it was shortened to Alex. One day, Joe Hind Bull was visiting us and after he learned my name was Alexander, he said that it was a complicated name and that he was giving me his name, Jack. From then on I was to be called Jack which was very soon modified to Pokohtsaik”.
Jack is a survivor of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Indian Residential School. He was an athlete and competed in the following sports, baseball, hockey and rodeo. Jack was the Bareback Champion of the Blood Reserve’s first organized rodeo at the Frank Many Fingers’ Lazy B-70 ranch in the early 1950’s.
Jack’s early years was spent working on the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam along the Columbia River in the State of Washington, USA. He also worked on the construction of the Waterton Dam in Alberta. He also worked as a ranch hand for his brother in-laws, Fred Stabs Down and Mike Devine, and also worked for George Fox.
A happy time in Jack’s life was when he married Gloria on May 19th, 1990. His best man was Ernest Black Rabbit and the maid of honor was Maxine (Willows) Big Head.
Jack was always proud of the day he sobered up:
“I haven’t had a drink since January 6th, 1995 and I am glad to say that we are doing much better. I regret the wasted life I once led…. I am very thankful that Higher Powers helped me stay sober. My wife and I and our adopted children are happy. We pray the rosary, go to church and do smudge. We hold regular A.A. meetings here and try to be of assistance in every way possible. Prayer is my salvation and I really pray a lot today.”
Jack was a devout and devoted Catholic and truly lived his beliefs. He never missed a Sunday Church Service. He loved Father Pawel Andrasz and was honored to be an Alter Server at each Sunday Mass. Up until Jack a few years ago, while he was still able to drive, he made a point to attend every funeral on the Blood Reserve, so that he could comfort all of the grieving families.
Jack served as an elder advisor for numerous Blood Tribe Departments and organizations such as the Peace Makers, Children’s Services and Kainai Healing Lodge.
Some of Jack’s most endearing qualities was how his entire face would light up whenever he met his family and friends. He was genuinely happy to greet everyone. Jack was also known for his wonderful sense of humour. Everyone, and I mean everyone, would walk away with a smile and a chuckle after a few moments spent with Jack. We all have a funny story of Jack, but some are not meant to be published!
Jack will be missed by his numerous family members and his adopted children can testify that he was a kind, gentle and generous step-father. He loved his many nieces and nephews, especially his nephews Alfie (Theresa) and Richard (Glenda) Red Crow.
Otahkaapiohkitopii is now reunited in the Spirit World with his wife, Gloria Red Crow; his parents; his siblings and numerous nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
His parting words in the publication, Kitomahkitapiiminnooniksi Stories from our Elders (2003) still hold relevance today:
My advice to the young is: ‘Have self respect and that respect will carry you a long way. Understand yourself, know yourself, know who you are and think before you jump into trouble.”
The Wake Service will be held on Friday, October 13 at Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve from 7:00 pm – 12:00 am. The Funeral Service will take place at St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Church, Blood Reserve, on Saturday, October 14 at 11:00 am. Interment will follow the service at Blood Band Cemetery.