Eve Yellow Old Woman

It is with profound sadness that our family announces the passing of our Matriarch, Eve Yellow Old Woman. Eve had three Blackfoot names. She took her name Kahkanii (Clean Woman) from her cousin, Mrs. Many Bears. Her other two Blackfoot names were Misaamm’iksiskstakiyaaki (Long Time Beaver Woman) Natoyi’ksiskstakiyaaki (Holy Beaver Woman). She was born in Cardston on January 25, 1932 to John and Mae Delaney (nee Plaited Hair). She may have been older, as her birth certificate was issued the same time as her baptismal. She came to Siksika in 1942 where she lived with the Stevens, Breaker, and Wolf Leg Families. She was also very close with the Weasel Child Family and adopted Adolphus as her brother. She married Gordon Yellow Old Woman in 1950 at the Old Sun Residential School and they had 14 beautiful children.

Eve’s first job was working at the laundromat at the Old Sun Residential School. She then started working at the daycare until 1987. She retired at age 71. This is when she became involved in Politics. She was appointed to sit on the Elders Advisory Committee with the Indian Government under the direction of Straiter Crowfoot. She traveled all over Canada and the US. Many people sought her out for advice and direction, her heart and passion was for Siksikaitsitapiiks and she fought long and hard making sure our people had a seat at the table.

She was big on genealogy and the history of our people. At 94 years old she was still very sharp-minded and knew a lot of our ancestors, their clans, their Indian names and relations. Our people would go to her to learn their family lineage.

Her faith was the pillar in her life. She instilled in her family the importance of Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Every morning and night she would pray for every single one of her family members and her community.

Eve came from a very large family. She had many relations all over Canada and the United States. The Delaney, Plaited Hair, Chiefbody, Tailfeathers, Wadsworth, Singer, Weasel Childs, Yellow Old Woman, Winnipeg, Turning Robe, Mayfield, Stevens, Backfat, Cutter, One Runner, Big Snake, Heavy Shields, Hindbull/Medicine Shield, Wolf Child, Red Morning, Giroux, Yellow Owl, Yellow Kidney, Wells, Little Bull, Running Crane, Whitegrass, Still Smoking, Bear Medicines, Naldrett, Nez Pierce Nicholsons, Bucks, Grants, Chandeler, Boyer, Standing Rock, Tendoy, Stray Calf, Champagne, Chief Calf families.



Eve was predeceased by her husband, Gordon. Daughters, Melvina, Delphine and Judy-Ann. Sons, Calvin, Charlie Wayne, Melvin, and she missed her son, Frederick, who went missing in 2011. Her grandchildren Cheeks, Charmaine, Todd, Leonard, Nicole, Kelsi, Tamara, Riley, BJ, Renalda, Keaton, Eden, Baby Joey, Allison, Fred Jr, Leslie, Bobby, Chevy, Mikey and Keifer. Her siblings Adam Delaney, Wallace Delaney, and Sylvia Yellow Old Woman. Her adopted children Candy Little Light and Sharon Stevens.

Eve is survived by her children Robert, Jeanie, Flora, Calvert (Wilda), Evangeline, Melvina and Herman (Michelle) and her special son in-law, Derrick Brass. She had a very close bond with her brother in-law Chief Vincent and sister in-law Vicky Yellow Old Woman and Verna Drunken Chief. Her immediate family just reached 200 members and she was on her fifth generation before she passed.

Eve was loved by so many. She traditionally adopted many children and grandchildren, far too many to name. She was the oldest member of Siksika Nation at the time of her passing. The family of Eve would like to thank everyone who has sent prayers and support to us during this difficult time.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eve Yellow Old Woman, please visit our floral store.