Ivan McMaster

IVAN MCMASTER

Akkotsimotasii (Owns Many Sorrel Horses)

It’s with great sorrow that we announce our dear Dad, Grandpa, Uncle, Brother, Husband rode to the Great Sandhills on March 14, 2021 @ 5:20am at Strathmore Hospital with his loving wife Valerie McMaster-Crowshoe by his side. Ivan McMaster was born to late Albert Sr & Annie McMaster on August 25, 1940. At the age of 2 years old Ivan was adopted by his parents late Edna Fox and late Francis Big Tobacco. Ivan leaves behind the love of his life, Valerie McMaster-Crowshoe, his children; Lillian-Anne Crowshoe, Winnifred Black Rabbit, Shannon Black Rabbit, and Brent Big Tobacco, his step children; Jimmy Crowshoe, Tanya Crowshoe, Danielle Crowshoe, and their children, his adopted children; Leanne Van Den Brink (Paige’s mom), Molly McMaster, Jeannette Many Guns, Eulalia Running Rabbit, Lavina Many Guns, Jayson Spotted Eagle, Horton Olds, Rueben (Buck) Breaker, Casey Maguire, Brice (Shawna) Big Tobacco, Edeena Big Tobacco, Lenny Calf Robe, Tammy First Rider, Karen Gallagoes, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren (too many to name), special granddaughter he named Tavelle Many Guns (Annitakii) his siblings; Claudia (Joe) Patrick, Melvina (Clifford) Healy, Jocelyn (Troy) Big Tobacco, Anthony (Harriet) Red Gun, his in laws the Crowshoe family, auntie Eve Yellow Old Woman Connie, cousins (Mike) Rabbit Carrier, Elizabeth Scout and numerous nieces and nephews. Ivan was raised by late Edna & Francis to be a great cowboy with strong beliefs in our Blackfoot customs and culture. Being on the Big Tobacco ranch, Ivan was taught many skills that he’d carry on and teach to others in the latter part of his years. As a young man he loved the cowboy lifestyle, venturing out to many rodeos to participate in the saddle bronc, bareback riding, wild horse race events and loved to drive the chuckwagons. If Ivan wasn’t at the rodeo, you’d see him supporting his family during the pow wows. Ivan had a deep love for his family, often running to the aid of any one of them if he was called at a moment’s notice, in addition to celebrating life events or spiritual events with family, Ivan was always there. Ivan was a residential school survivor from the Old Sun Residential school. It was here where he met and befriended his brothers and sisters. Ivan was a social butterfly, and was never at home, instead he was out in the community visiting or lending a helping hand. He had vast knowledge when it came to hunting, horsemanship, tipi raising, hooking up a team for chuckwagons, making drums, and storytelling to name a few. With his extensive knowledge of the Blackfoot language, Ivan attended the language symposium in Piikunii. After many years he was reunited with his greatest love Valerie, a couple years later they were married, and everyone could see how happy she made him. Ivan was a great craftsman, which can be seen in the many drums and rattles he made for drum groups and individuals. He loved to share his knowledge with anyone who’d ask and could be found teaching someone how to put up a tipi or breaking a horse. Ivan was an employee of the Calgary Stampede for many years, and really enjoyed participating in the activities while off duty. Ivan loved to hunt and was well known for supplying family or community members with meat from his latest kill. He knew how to process any animal, from field dressing to cutting the meat to dry it. Ivan was the last living child of his natural parents: late Albert Sr. & Annie McMaster, he is predeceased by his parents: late Edna Fox & Francis Big Tobacco, siblings: Chester, Leslie, Kathrine, Doreen, Douglas, Myers, Pauline, Sarah, Delbert, Donald, Frank BigTobacco, Francine BigTobacco, Irma Wolf Child, Joseph Big Tobacco, Joyce Big Tobacco, Rena Maguire, Jeffrey Big Tobacco, Delia White Eagle, Anne Many Heads, Woody Royal, his son’s: Ivan (Bronco) Black Horse and Merlin Cutter. Ivan will be deeply missed by all who came across him, as he was everyone’s Uncle, Brother, or Friend, and is one of the last true Cowboys. Mcmaster, Waterchief's, Peacemaker's, Blackhorse's, Wood's, Axe's, Big Tobacco's, Strangling Wolf's On behalf of the family, we would like to extend our apologies to those who we may have missed. Valerie would also like to send a special thank you to Dr. Nicholas Romatowski and Dr. Lobay for taking great care of my husband. Wake Service will be at Ivan's McMaster Residence on Monday, March 22, 2021, at 6 pm.  Funeral Service at Gordon Yellow Fly Memorial Arbor on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at 1 pm. Gravesite at Paul Little Walker Cemetery. 

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