Christine Shade (Paahtomahksikimiakii – Inner Lake Woman) was born on September 6, 1939, and passed away on February 16, 2026, in Spring Coulee, Alberta at the age of 86. Christine is survived by her children Trina (Buck), Shawn (Liz), Corrine (David), and Candace (Ivan); adopted sons Sage Shade, Scott Fox, Billy Wadsworth, Bryan Bottle, Douglas Singer, Kevin Shade, Kaysen McNeely, and Winston Bruised Head; adopted daughters Debbie Dixon, Tracy Heavy Runner, Ish Heavy Runner, Theresa Russell, Mary Jo Russell, Elissa Heavy Runner, Renita Russell, Lou Ann Day Chief, Dorothy Mountain Horse, Sierra Shade, Montana Shade, Tisha Wadsworth, Christal Singer, Penny Fox, Lavern Day Chief, and Thora Shade; sisters Mae Singer, Lucy Russell, and Ruby Bottle; and brother Leroy (Harriet) Heavy Runner.
Christine was predeceased by her parents Billy Sr. Heavy Runner and Mariam (Crying Head) Heavy Runner, husband Ervin Shade, daughter Marilyn Shade, sons John Heavy Runner, Frederick Heavy Runner, and Austin Shade; brothers Frank Turning Robe, Bill Heavy Runner, Chester Heavy Runner, Lester Heavy Runner, and Andy Heavy Runner; sisters Lucy Day Chief, Eileen Mountain Horse, and Pearl Heavy Runner.
Christine was raised in Niiyiipokssko and belonged to the Aakaipokaiksi Clan (Many Children Clan). She grew up participating in the Catholic religion, later receiving her education at St. Mary’s Residential School. She was also a member of the St. Mary’s school basketball team.
Christine met the love of her life, Ervin Shade. Together, they were immersed in their cultural and spiritual ways, which included Sundancing with Buster Yellow Kidney and Johnny Day Rider. Christine, Ervin, and their children were the caregivers of the Ponokaomitaayaahkoyinni-manni (Thunder Pipe). They later joined the Horn Society with the Sorrel Horse Group (Otsimiitaasiks), where they were transferred Otsskoiitsao’tsii. Christine joined the Brave Dogs with her nephew Stephen Heavy Runner, and later with her grandson Blaze Shade.
Christine loved her husband and children, doing whatever she could for them. She supported her husband with irrigation, farming, and his rodeo stock contracting business on the ranch they built together. She also helped Ervin with his Aayaksima Therapeutic Riding Program, where they traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota and Elmo, Montana for traditional games. Christine was an integral part of the Shade Dance Troop, commended for her sewing, beading, hair braiding, and supervising. Grandpa Harry really depended on her.
Grandma Christine was the biggest supporter when her children and grandchildren participated in our cultural way of life, such as piercing Sundances, ceremonies, sweat lodges, and other special events where she enjoyed cooking traditional food. Christine also enjoyed attending sweats with her nephew Doc Day Chief.
Christine had an unconditional love for her family, especially her siblings. For Chistine, Lucy was a saving grace. Lucy provided comfort and companionship. They had an unconditional love and understanding of each other and were mentors for each other. Together they were very compatible in their way of helping everyone. Christine was always in close contact with her sister Mae Singer, where they supported each other in any way they could. Christine had a great love for her nephew, Leroy Heavy Runner, whom she helped raise. She was a loving sister, always providing her advice and wisdom.
Christine cherished each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren deeply. She made sure to build a profound and personal relationship with all of us. Every one of us carries a funny and loving memory of Grandma Christine, whether it was a nickname, a hilarious saying, or one of her everyday moments made special by that unmistakable Christine Shade humour. Sweet and kind, yet so sharp-witted, her humour caught you off guard and left you laughing when you least expected it. Many of our fondest memories include both Grandma Christine and Grandpa Ervie, who did everything for us and raised us with unwavering love and care. We are incredibly blessed to have been raised by Grandma Christine, who showed us what it meant to be strong, resilient, and grounded in family. Her presence made every event special, and her humour and devotion will be greatly missed.
The Wake Service will be held on Wednesday, February 25 from 7:00 - 11:00 pm at Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve. The Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, February 26 at 12:00 pm at Senator Gladstone Hall. Interment will follow at the Shade Family Cemetery, Blood Reserve.
Christine was predeceased by her parents Billy Sr. Heavy Runner and Mariam (Crying Head) Heavy Runner, husband Ervin Shade, daughter Marilyn Shade, sons John Heavy Runner, Frederick Heavy Runner, and Austin Shade; brothers Frank Turning Robe, Bill Heavy Runner, Chester Heavy Runner, Lester Heavy Runner, and Andy Heavy Runner; sisters Lucy Day Chief, Eileen Mountain Horse, and Pearl Heavy Runner.
Christine was raised in Niiyiipokssko and belonged to the Aakaipokaiksi Clan (Many Children Clan). She grew up participating in the Catholic religion, later receiving her education at St. Mary’s Residential School. She was also a member of the St. Mary’s school basketball team.
Christine met the love of her life, Ervin Shade. Together, they were immersed in their cultural and spiritual ways, which included Sundancing with Buster Yellow Kidney and Johnny Day Rider. Christine, Ervin, and their children were the caregivers of the Ponokaomitaayaahkoyinni-manni (Thunder Pipe). They later joined the Horn Society with the Sorrel Horse Group (Otsimiitaasiks), where they were transferred Otsskoiitsao’tsii. Christine joined the Brave Dogs with her nephew Stephen Heavy Runner, and later with her grandson Blaze Shade.
Christine loved her husband and children, doing whatever she could for them. She supported her husband with irrigation, farming, and his rodeo stock contracting business on the ranch they built together. She also helped Ervin with his Aayaksima Therapeutic Riding Program, where they traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota and Elmo, Montana for traditional games. Christine was an integral part of the Shade Dance Troop, commended for her sewing, beading, hair braiding, and supervising. Grandpa Harry really depended on her.
Grandma Christine was the biggest supporter when her children and grandchildren participated in our cultural way of life, such as piercing Sundances, ceremonies, sweat lodges, and other special events where she enjoyed cooking traditional food. Christine also enjoyed attending sweats with her nephew Doc Day Chief.
Christine had an unconditional love for her family, especially her siblings. For Chistine, Lucy was a saving grace. Lucy provided comfort and companionship. They had an unconditional love and understanding of each other and were mentors for each other. Together they were very compatible in their way of helping everyone. Christine was always in close contact with her sister Mae Singer, where they supported each other in any way they could. Christine had a great love for her nephew, Leroy Heavy Runner, whom she helped raise. She was a loving sister, always providing her advice and wisdom.
Christine cherished each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren deeply. She made sure to build a profound and personal relationship with all of us. Every one of us carries a funny and loving memory of Grandma Christine, whether it was a nickname, a hilarious saying, or one of her everyday moments made special by that unmistakable Christine Shade humour. Sweet and kind, yet so sharp-witted, her humour caught you off guard and left you laughing when you least expected it. Many of our fondest memories include both Grandma Christine and Grandpa Ervie, who did everything for us and raised us with unwavering love and care. We are incredibly blessed to have been raised by Grandma Christine, who showed us what it meant to be strong, resilient, and grounded in family. Her presence made every event special, and her humour and devotion will be greatly missed.
The Wake Service will be held on Wednesday, February 25 from 7:00 - 11:00 pm at Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve. The Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, February 26 at 12:00 pm at Senator Gladstone Hall. Interment will follow at the Shade Family Cemetery, Blood Reserve.