It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden departure of our dear son Thane Toby Willows (Kaanisskiina) on December 4, 2025, in Lethbridge, Alberta. Thane was born on September 23, 2004. He was 21 years old.
Thane leaves behind his parents, Melissa Willows and Stevie Heavy Shields.
Thane’s siblings are Kadin Willows, Dante (Jordan) Willows, Mylie (Harlie) Willows, Maryelyn (Theo) Heavy Shields, and Devlin Red Crow.
Nephews and Nieces: Piinaaw Willows, Theylyn, Thadis and Kairo Heavy Shields-Lefthand, Greyson Willows and Alayna Bird-Heavy Shields
Thane’s aunts, Tricia Willows, Amber Crow Chief, Leanna Trujillo, Billi-J Heavy Shields, Jodi Heavy Shields, Tannis Tailfeathers, Courtney Day Chief, Elaina Crazy Bull-Willows, Jessica Eagle Speaker, Robbie (Roland) Rabbit, Carma (Mervin) Rabbit-Chief Calf, Kelly (Homer) Rabbit- Shot Both Sides, Sheena Tailfeathers, Toby Youngpine and Ainsley Bullshields.
Uncles, Patrick Willows, Cody Willows and Todd Bruised Head.
Maternal Grandparents: Maxine and Floyd Big Head, Patrick Crow Chief. Paternal grandparents: Steven and Marlene Heavy Shields.
Great Aunts and Uncles, Maxine Willows, Corina Crow Chief, Georgina Crow Chief, Duane (Wilma) Crow Chief, William (Carma) Crow Chief, Faye Heavy Shields, Barb Heavy Shields, Sharon Heavy Shields, Ramona Big Head, Ivyanne Big Head, Jennifer (Terry) Ivins, Lori (Galen) Laplante, Cherie (Arnold) Mcmurdie, Toni Vaile, Roxie(Alvin) Vaile, Emile Big Head, Leonard Big Head, Jackie Wings, Judy Wings, Belva Wings, Carol Wings, Cammie Wings, Patsy (Roy) Weasel Fat, Fanny Weasel Fat, Jordan Heavy Shields.
Special Family Members: Gaylene Crow Chief, Douglas Crow Chief, Serena Crow Chief, Susan Heavy Shields, Crystal Chief Calf, Tiarah English, Wanda Tailfeathers, Sandra Bruised Head,
Numerous cousins and relatives.
Thane is reunited with his Aunts, Amelia Willows and Jillian Crow Chief and his brother, Chancellor Bird-Heavy Shields. Uncle Lane Tailfeathers
Special Cousins, Kirby Crow Chief, Landon Crow Chief and Dillon Crow Chief, who were part of his life in the early years.
Great Aunts and Uncles, Keith Willows, Alfreda Crow Chief, Rose Crow Chief, Bryce Vaile, Ardis Vaile, Earla Vaile, Kristen Vaile, John Heavy Shields, Lena Russell, Lulu Heavy Shields, Aloysius Wings, Bonnie Big Head, Melody Wings, Bucky Vaile, Evelyn Heavy Shields, Andrew Weasel Fat, Gilbert Weasel Fat, Gerald Weasel Fat, Ralph Weasel Fat, Bernard Tallman, Ed Heavy Shields, Derrick Wings, Pat CEW-Wings, Gordon Heavy Shields, and Herman Heavy Shields.
Great grandparents Alice and Earl Willows, Elsie Bullshields-Vaile, Pat Crop Eared Wolf and Mary and Wallace Crow Chief, and Adelaide and Ed Heavy Shields and Fred and Beatrice Weasel Fat, and Gloria and Jack Red Crow.
Thane has many relatives that include: Bullshields, Crow Chief, Heavy Shields, Weasel Fat, Crazy Boy, Eagle Child, First Charger, Scout, Russell, Calf Robe, Blackwater, Wolf Plume, Small Eyes, Crop Eared Wolf, King, White Feathers, Old Shoes, Heavy Head, Wadsworth, Tallman, Rider, Crow Spreads his Wings, Vielle, Red Crow, Creighton, Yellow Wings, Blackwater, and Mountain Horse.
Apologies to anyone we have missed.
Thane left to be with our family members who went before us on the night of Dec 4, 2025 and broke so many hearts. Thane was Mom’s 3rd baby, and she loved him so much. Thane was named Kaanisskiina- Mouse, because he was such a cute baby.
When he was little, he was scared of animals, but later grew to love them. Thane was mischievous and cool. He would get people to do things with him, which were usually not the best ideas, and usually landed them in trouble with mom and dad and sometimes his older siblings.
He was close to his cousins growing up, like Tanye, Tayte, Trista, Trayceon, Sonny, Jay, Dayton, Jubei, Brandon, Maliek, Omar, and Vivica.
Thane went to Westminster from kindergarten to grade 5, and Wilson for grade 6. He then attended Tatsikiisapo’p in 2016 and up to grade 12 at Kainai High School. Thane was always into sports, hockey, basketball, skateboarding, scooters, BMX, and rodeo. Thane was an avid gamer and enjoyed playing on his PS5; he would end up breaking numerous controllers and hide them (rage quit). His favourite games were GTA, Call of Duty, Fortnite, NBA 2K, and he would always go to Dante when he needed help with his game. He enjoyed watching his favourite streamers and would always be laughing out loud at shows like Seinfeld, Young Sheldon, The Boondocks and various comedy movies. He had a passion for music and could be heard rapping some of his favourite songs at all hours of the night. Above all else, Thane was a good friend and would literally give his friends the clothes off his back. Thane had an exceptional taste in clothing and bought most of his clothes online. Thane loved his nephew Piinaaw so much and would often play with him whenever he was in his room.
Thane was the youngest brother but older than Mye. He was so protective of his baby sister, once Mye got mugged in Moses, Thane was so mad and was telling the fam to drive around and find these people.
Thane was creative and artistic and was so insightful into the art world. He planned to go to art school and get into studio art once he was done upgrading.
Thane loved to travel and would sometimes invite himself to go with Grandma and Grandpa on their trips. Thane went to Toronto to be with Kadin for the completion of his program. Thane admired Kadin in all his accomplishments. Thane also travelled to California, Reno, Las Vegas, Coeur d’Alene, Colorado, Seattle, Vancouver, and Spokane.
All in all, Thane was a good guy and made friends along the way; he was selfless and protective of his family. Thane will be missed by all who knew him.
A wake service will be held at Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve, Alberta on Thursday, December 11, 2025 from 6:00 - 11:00 pm. A funeral service will be at Senator Gladstone Hall on Friday, December 12 at 11:00 am. Interment to follow at Willows Cemetery, Blood Reserve.
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Thane leaves behind his parents, Melissa Willows and Stevie Heavy Shields.
Thane’s siblings are Kadin Willows, Dante (Jordan) Willows, Mylie (Harlie) Willows, Maryelyn (Theo) Heavy Shields, and Devlin Red Crow.
Nephews and Nieces: Piinaaw Willows, Theylyn, Thadis and Kairo Heavy Shields-Lefthand, Greyson Willows and Alayna Bird-Heavy Shields
Thane’s aunts, Tricia Willows, Amber Crow Chief, Leanna Trujillo, Billi-J Heavy Shields, Jodi Heavy Shields, Tannis Tailfeathers, Courtney Day Chief, Elaina Crazy Bull-Willows, Jessica Eagle Speaker, Robbie (Roland) Rabbit, Carma (Mervin) Rabbit-Chief Calf, Kelly (Homer) Rabbit- Shot Both Sides, Sheena Tailfeathers, Toby Youngpine and Ainsley Bullshields.
Uncles, Patrick Willows, Cody Willows and Todd Bruised Head.
Maternal Grandparents: Maxine and Floyd Big Head, Patrick Crow Chief. Paternal grandparents: Steven and Marlene Heavy Shields.
Great Aunts and Uncles, Maxine Willows, Corina Crow Chief, Georgina Crow Chief, Duane (Wilma) Crow Chief, William (Carma) Crow Chief, Faye Heavy Shields, Barb Heavy Shields, Sharon Heavy Shields, Ramona Big Head, Ivyanne Big Head, Jennifer (Terry) Ivins, Lori (Galen) Laplante, Cherie (Arnold) Mcmurdie, Toni Vaile, Roxie(Alvin) Vaile, Emile Big Head, Leonard Big Head, Jackie Wings, Judy Wings, Belva Wings, Carol Wings, Cammie Wings, Patsy (Roy) Weasel Fat, Fanny Weasel Fat, Jordan Heavy Shields.
Special Family Members: Gaylene Crow Chief, Douglas Crow Chief, Serena Crow Chief, Susan Heavy Shields, Crystal Chief Calf, Tiarah English, Wanda Tailfeathers, Sandra Bruised Head,
Numerous cousins and relatives.
Thane is reunited with his Aunts, Amelia Willows and Jillian Crow Chief and his brother, Chancellor Bird-Heavy Shields. Uncle Lane Tailfeathers
Special Cousins, Kirby Crow Chief, Landon Crow Chief and Dillon Crow Chief, who were part of his life in the early years.
Great Aunts and Uncles, Keith Willows, Alfreda Crow Chief, Rose Crow Chief, Bryce Vaile, Ardis Vaile, Earla Vaile, Kristen Vaile, John Heavy Shields, Lena Russell, Lulu Heavy Shields, Aloysius Wings, Bonnie Big Head, Melody Wings, Bucky Vaile, Evelyn Heavy Shields, Andrew Weasel Fat, Gilbert Weasel Fat, Gerald Weasel Fat, Ralph Weasel Fat, Bernard Tallman, Ed Heavy Shields, Derrick Wings, Pat CEW-Wings, Gordon Heavy Shields, and Herman Heavy Shields.
Great grandparents Alice and Earl Willows, Elsie Bullshields-Vaile, Pat Crop Eared Wolf and Mary and Wallace Crow Chief, and Adelaide and Ed Heavy Shields and Fred and Beatrice Weasel Fat, and Gloria and Jack Red Crow.
Thane has many relatives that include: Bullshields, Crow Chief, Heavy Shields, Weasel Fat, Crazy Boy, Eagle Child, First Charger, Scout, Russell, Calf Robe, Blackwater, Wolf Plume, Small Eyes, Crop Eared Wolf, King, White Feathers, Old Shoes, Heavy Head, Wadsworth, Tallman, Rider, Crow Spreads his Wings, Vielle, Red Crow, Creighton, Yellow Wings, Blackwater, and Mountain Horse.
Apologies to anyone we have missed.
Thane left to be with our family members who went before us on the night of Dec 4, 2025 and broke so many hearts. Thane was Mom’s 3rd baby, and she loved him so much. Thane was named Kaanisskiina- Mouse, because he was such a cute baby.
When he was little, he was scared of animals, but later grew to love them. Thane was mischievous and cool. He would get people to do things with him, which were usually not the best ideas, and usually landed them in trouble with mom and dad and sometimes his older siblings.
He was close to his cousins growing up, like Tanye, Tayte, Trista, Trayceon, Sonny, Jay, Dayton, Jubei, Brandon, Maliek, Omar, and Vivica.
Thane went to Westminster from kindergarten to grade 5, and Wilson for grade 6. He then attended Tatsikiisapo’p in 2016 and up to grade 12 at Kainai High School. Thane was always into sports, hockey, basketball, skateboarding, scooters, BMX, and rodeo. Thane was an avid gamer and enjoyed playing on his PS5; he would end up breaking numerous controllers and hide them (rage quit). His favourite games were GTA, Call of Duty, Fortnite, NBA 2K, and he would always go to Dante when he needed help with his game. He enjoyed watching his favourite streamers and would always be laughing out loud at shows like Seinfeld, Young Sheldon, The Boondocks and various comedy movies. He had a passion for music and could be heard rapping some of his favourite songs at all hours of the night. Above all else, Thane was a good friend and would literally give his friends the clothes off his back. Thane had an exceptional taste in clothing and bought most of his clothes online. Thane loved his nephew Piinaaw so much and would often play with him whenever he was in his room.
Thane was the youngest brother but older than Mye. He was so protective of his baby sister, once Mye got mugged in Moses, Thane was so mad and was telling the fam to drive around and find these people.
Thane was creative and artistic and was so insightful into the art world. He planned to go to art school and get into studio art once he was done upgrading.
Thane loved to travel and would sometimes invite himself to go with Grandma and Grandpa on their trips. Thane went to Toronto to be with Kadin for the completion of his program. Thane admired Kadin in all his accomplishments. Thane also travelled to California, Reno, Las Vegas, Coeur d’Alene, Colorado, Seattle, Vancouver, and Spokane.
All in all, Thane was a good guy and made friends along the way; he was selfless and protective of his family. Thane will be missed by all who knew him.
A wake service will be held at Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve, Alberta on Thursday, December 11, 2025 from 6:00 - 11:00 pm. A funeral service will be at Senator Gladstone Hall on Friday, December 12 at 11:00 am. Interment to follow at Willows Cemetery, Blood Reserve.
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