“ Our beloved mother Aakaipokakii (Many Children Woman) Christine “Janice” Shingoose passed away very peacefully surrounded by her children and love during the early hours of June 26, 2022 at the age of 58 years.
Mom was survived by her partner Donovan Adolph. Her children: Nicole Twigg, Naomi (Chris Jr) Shade, Tarasina (Jd) Potts, and Clayton “Cj” Twigg Jr. Her grandchildren: Cole (Sharlee), Adrianna, Lazarus, Savannah, Kenny Jr, Andrew, Cobin Jr, Kateri and Chase. She was also survived by her parents Corolla and Hugh Hanley, her sisters: Mary (Glen) Starlight, Delores, Denise, and Cheryl Hanley and her brother Marvin Black Rabbit. Adopted siblings: Richard “Sonny” Fox, Terry Ivins, Mary Bird, and Shawna Goodstriker. Special aunt Sylvia (Jack) Fox. God daughter Marley Twigg. Her Uncles: Lambert, Charlie, Gerald, Dan, and Mike Fox. Her aunt Marge (Charlie) Small Face. Mom came from a large family, the “Many Children’s Clan” and leaves to mourn numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Friends and extended family include: Foxes, Panther Bones, Wolf Child’s, Hungry Wolves, Little Bears, Soups, Twigg’s and Black Rabbits.
Mom will be welcomed into the spirit world by her father Ernest Black Rabbit Sr, her brothers Barry and Ernest Jr Black Rabbit, her sister Nora Black Rabbit. Her grandparents George and Emma Many Feathers and grandfather Arthur Soop. Her granddaughter Callie Shade and goddaughter Leanne Fox. She was also predeceased by her aunts Martha Potts, Delores and Bernadette Fox. Cousins Stephanie and Nedra Fox. Great niece Nevada Heavy Runner.
Mom was born in Cardston, AB on January 24, 1964. Although she was born in Cardston, she didn’t live there very long. She was a very young child when her family moved to Calgary. She was a very special child that was always so fascinated with her culture, whenever Elders would visit she would excitedly ask them to teach her about “natives”, they would be so impressed with her curiosity. She was always reading books on her heritage and would eagerly share these stories with her mom and siblings. She was also a very bright student, she loved school and loved writing. Her teachers loved her, especially one teacher named Joyce McGuffey, who would always jokingly say she was going to steal her. Mom always excelled throughout school and in her final year of high school she transferred to St. Mary’s Residential School where she completed her final year with excellent marks.
It was then she would meet her future husband Clayton Twigg. Together they welcomed their four children. They raised their children to be devout Catholics and were both professed Third Order Franciscans in December 1994, she was very proud to be a Franciscan and enjoyed making yearly pilgrimages to Lac St. Anne throughout her life. Although their marriage didn’t last they always remained great friends. In their later years, they would always celebrate their children and grandchildren's birthdays and holidays together.
Mom loved her children very much. She was a doting mother, she fully devoted herself as “mom”. She would always joking call her children her “fab four” & when she would introduce them she would say, “This is daughter number 1, daughter number 2, daughter number 3 and my tsikki or sonny” She always encouraged and supported them in everything they did, sports, plays, dancing, and art. She was always their number one fan. She was especially excited when Nikki, Tarasina and Cj decided they wanted to start powwow dancing. She bought a RV and they would follow the powwow trail every summer. She then joined them in dancing. She was a beautiful traditional dancer, dancing was definitely one of her passions. She met many people on the trail and would adopt them as her “powwow family”. She looked forward to every powwow, definitely the highlight of her summers. It was during this time she married Wally. The two of them would go on his Chuckwagon tours and travel the powwow trail together with the kids. She would dance and he would run his sno-cone concession.
Mom was very traditional and followed her Blackfoot ways. She was part of the Thunder bundle. She was the tripod holder for 13 years before transferring it to her aunt Sylvia two years ago. She loved her bundle openings, preparing all year round. She had an area in the house that would be closed off for her bundle gifts. She also loved her bundle family dearly, especially Adolph, Beverly, Star and Wolf. They were special to her. Prayer was important to her and she would smudge every morning, or smoke her pipe. She also loved sweat ceremonies and her sweat family: Shawna, Kenny and Patsy, they were her confidents and best friends. Last year she part took in her first 4 day fast, it was a beautiful experience that she said she’ll cherish in her heart forever.
Although mom had many passions in life, one of her favourites was teaching. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1998 and her Bachelor of Education degree in 2003. She was so excited when she was hired as a K4 Teacher at Saipoyi Elementary School, she taught K4 for 14 years and then grade 4 for 6 years. She loved all her students so much. Even as they grew older she would continue to check on them. She loved her job, always waking up bright and early to go teach. She hated missing work and rarely took sick days. She always told us she was meant to be a teacher and enjoyed every aspect of it.
Besides teaching and love for her culture. Mom absolutely loved being a grandma. She had a special bond with each of her grandchildren. She was always the first to arrive at the hospital when each of them were born, she’d do her photo shoots and spoil them with gifts. She had silly nicknames for all of them; Colie Olie, Her snobby baby Anna, Lazzypoo, Bannycakes, Beekie Boo Bear, Drewbear, Cobo, Kitty and “that crazy boy Chase”. She loved joking and teasing them. She was a silly grandma that loved her grand babies with all her heart. She was so happy when she was able to teach Drew and Beekie, not once but twice. In K4 and grade 4. She loved that. Right till the end her face would light up when any of them would walk into the room. Her precious babies is what she called all of them.
Mom was all about family, she loved hosting get togethers, celebrating birthdays and just visiting in general. She always made anyone feel welcome in her home. She loved her parents a lot, she was both a daddy and mommy’s girl. Before her dads passing, she was always with him. She included him in every birthday and get together. She needed to talk to him everyday, even if it was just to say hello. He was the apple of her eye. She loved him dearly. Also, being a mommy’s girl, she would travel to Airdrie to be with her mom and step dad any chance she got. She loved bringing them out to eat and Casino. Their happiness meant the world to her. She always had great visits with them.
In 2019, she met and fell in love with her partner Donovan. They had a wonderful relationship and shared many of the same interests. She enjoyed travelling to BC with him, watching him fish and do his traditional Bear dancing. They both loved the traditional life. Smudging, praying and singing together. Donovan also helped her children care for her in her final days. She always shared how much she appreciated it. They were a beautiful couple.
Mom lived an amazing life and will most definitely be missed by all who knew her. She was a beautiful living angel that loved with all heart and lived her life to the fullest. As utterly heartbroken as we are, we will always cherish her memory and the beautiful teachings she left us with. “
A prayer service will be at 5:00 pm at Legacy Funeral Home on Tuesday July 5, 2022, the wake service will follow at Moses Lake Gym, Blood Reserve, Alberta from 7:00 - 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held at Moses Lake Gym, Blood Reserve on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at 11:00 am. Cremation to follow.
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Mom was survived by her partner Donovan Adolph. Her children: Nicole Twigg, Naomi (Chris Jr) Shade, Tarasina (Jd) Potts, and Clayton “Cj” Twigg Jr. Her grandchildren: Cole (Sharlee), Adrianna, Lazarus, Savannah, Kenny Jr, Andrew, Cobin Jr, Kateri and Chase. She was also survived by her parents Corolla and Hugh Hanley, her sisters: Mary (Glen) Starlight, Delores, Denise, and Cheryl Hanley and her brother Marvin Black Rabbit. Adopted siblings: Richard “Sonny” Fox, Terry Ivins, Mary Bird, and Shawna Goodstriker. Special aunt Sylvia (Jack) Fox. God daughter Marley Twigg. Her Uncles: Lambert, Charlie, Gerald, Dan, and Mike Fox. Her aunt Marge (Charlie) Small Face. Mom came from a large family, the “Many Children’s Clan” and leaves to mourn numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Friends and extended family include: Foxes, Panther Bones, Wolf Child’s, Hungry Wolves, Little Bears, Soups, Twigg’s and Black Rabbits.
Mom will be welcomed into the spirit world by her father Ernest Black Rabbit Sr, her brothers Barry and Ernest Jr Black Rabbit, her sister Nora Black Rabbit. Her grandparents George and Emma Many Feathers and grandfather Arthur Soop. Her granddaughter Callie Shade and goddaughter Leanne Fox. She was also predeceased by her aunts Martha Potts, Delores and Bernadette Fox. Cousins Stephanie and Nedra Fox. Great niece Nevada Heavy Runner.
Mom was born in Cardston, AB on January 24, 1964. Although she was born in Cardston, she didn’t live there very long. She was a very young child when her family moved to Calgary. She was a very special child that was always so fascinated with her culture, whenever Elders would visit she would excitedly ask them to teach her about “natives”, they would be so impressed with her curiosity. She was always reading books on her heritage and would eagerly share these stories with her mom and siblings. She was also a very bright student, she loved school and loved writing. Her teachers loved her, especially one teacher named Joyce McGuffey, who would always jokingly say she was going to steal her. Mom always excelled throughout school and in her final year of high school she transferred to St. Mary’s Residential School where she completed her final year with excellent marks.
It was then she would meet her future husband Clayton Twigg. Together they welcomed their four children. They raised their children to be devout Catholics and were both professed Third Order Franciscans in December 1994, she was very proud to be a Franciscan and enjoyed making yearly pilgrimages to Lac St. Anne throughout her life. Although their marriage didn’t last they always remained great friends. In their later years, they would always celebrate their children and grandchildren's birthdays and holidays together.
Mom loved her children very much. She was a doting mother, she fully devoted herself as “mom”. She would always joking call her children her “fab four” & when she would introduce them she would say, “This is daughter number 1, daughter number 2, daughter number 3 and my tsikki or sonny” She always encouraged and supported them in everything they did, sports, plays, dancing, and art. She was always their number one fan. She was especially excited when Nikki, Tarasina and Cj decided they wanted to start powwow dancing. She bought a RV and they would follow the powwow trail every summer. She then joined them in dancing. She was a beautiful traditional dancer, dancing was definitely one of her passions. She met many people on the trail and would adopt them as her “powwow family”. She looked forward to every powwow, definitely the highlight of her summers. It was during this time she married Wally. The two of them would go on his Chuckwagon tours and travel the powwow trail together with the kids. She would dance and he would run his sno-cone concession.
Mom was very traditional and followed her Blackfoot ways. She was part of the Thunder bundle. She was the tripod holder for 13 years before transferring it to her aunt Sylvia two years ago. She loved her bundle openings, preparing all year round. She had an area in the house that would be closed off for her bundle gifts. She also loved her bundle family dearly, especially Adolph, Beverly, Star and Wolf. They were special to her. Prayer was important to her and she would smudge every morning, or smoke her pipe. She also loved sweat ceremonies and her sweat family: Shawna, Kenny and Patsy, they were her confidents and best friends. Last year she part took in her first 4 day fast, it was a beautiful experience that she said she’ll cherish in her heart forever.
Although mom had many passions in life, one of her favourites was teaching. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1998 and her Bachelor of Education degree in 2003. She was so excited when she was hired as a K4 Teacher at Saipoyi Elementary School, she taught K4 for 14 years and then grade 4 for 6 years. She loved all her students so much. Even as they grew older she would continue to check on them. She loved her job, always waking up bright and early to go teach. She hated missing work and rarely took sick days. She always told us she was meant to be a teacher and enjoyed every aspect of it.
Besides teaching and love for her culture. Mom absolutely loved being a grandma. She had a special bond with each of her grandchildren. She was always the first to arrive at the hospital when each of them were born, she’d do her photo shoots and spoil them with gifts. She had silly nicknames for all of them; Colie Olie, Her snobby baby Anna, Lazzypoo, Bannycakes, Beekie Boo Bear, Drewbear, Cobo, Kitty and “that crazy boy Chase”. She loved joking and teasing them. She was a silly grandma that loved her grand babies with all her heart. She was so happy when she was able to teach Drew and Beekie, not once but twice. In K4 and grade 4. She loved that. Right till the end her face would light up when any of them would walk into the room. Her precious babies is what she called all of them.
Mom was all about family, she loved hosting get togethers, celebrating birthdays and just visiting in general. She always made anyone feel welcome in her home. She loved her parents a lot, she was both a daddy and mommy’s girl. Before her dads passing, she was always with him. She included him in every birthday and get together. She needed to talk to him everyday, even if it was just to say hello. He was the apple of her eye. She loved him dearly. Also, being a mommy’s girl, she would travel to Airdrie to be with her mom and step dad any chance she got. She loved bringing them out to eat and Casino. Their happiness meant the world to her. She always had great visits with them.
In 2019, she met and fell in love with her partner Donovan. They had a wonderful relationship and shared many of the same interests. She enjoyed travelling to BC with him, watching him fish and do his traditional Bear dancing. They both loved the traditional life. Smudging, praying and singing together. Donovan also helped her children care for her in her final days. She always shared how much she appreciated it. They were a beautiful couple.
Mom lived an amazing life and will most definitely be missed by all who knew her. She was a beautiful living angel that loved with all heart and lived her life to the fullest. As utterly heartbroken as we are, we will always cherish her memory and the beautiful teachings she left us with. “
A prayer service will be at 5:00 pm at Legacy Funeral Home on Tuesday July 5, 2022, the wake service will follow at Moses Lake Gym, Blood Reserve, Alberta from 7:00 - 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held at Moses Lake Gym, Blood Reserve on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at 11:00 am. Cremation to follow.
Click to Send the Family a Condolence