Lana Ruth Many Heads

LANA RUTH MANY HEADS
(MAKOYISKIAKII)
January 6, 1950 – May 13, 2026
It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our dear Lana Ruth Many Heads at the tender age of 76 years old. Lana was a daughter, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunty, cousin, niece, and a friend to many.
Our dear Lana leaves behind her children, Cary (Stephanie) Many Heads, Ursula (Paul) Carus, and Daniel Young; her siblings, Ronald, Dyan, Arlene, Jackie, Jennifer; traditional siblings, Helen Flamand, Ann Marie (Leonard) Good Eagle, Laura (Gerald) Sitting Eagle, and Eileen (Hanks) Eagle Head; numerous cousins she took as siblings; nieces and nephews who she adored, especially Mataya (Ellina), Taylor, Lindsay (Berta), Tracy, Ray (Dora), Jolie, Fritzie, Missy, Carolyn, Lisa, Amanda, late Yvette, late Darnell and late Tyler; her grandchildren she treasured, Kelsey, Tazra, Jessa, Ashtin, Ty, Trae, Ried, Kayden, Rachel; her great-grandchildren, Jade, Tilden, Bentley, Kingston, Payton, Julian, Natalynn, Lucas, Ivy, Stella, Odette, Fallon, Tayliah, Tyriek, Chayton, Cherish, Sunshine, Maelee, and Isabella. Lana also leaves behind her adopted children, Denise (Tracey) Calf Robe & Waylon Yellow Old Woman. Lana will be remembered by her special aunties, Betty and Joan Poor Eagle, Gail Many Heads, Muriel Kirby, and uncle Douglas Poor Eagle (Beverly); special friends who she often talked about, Stella Turning Robe, Donna Weasel Child, Flora Royal and Rose Marie Breaker.
After attending the Indian Residential School in her childhood years, she lived at boarding homes in Drumheller and Calgary to finish her education. When she attended Bishop Grandin High School in Calgary, she joined the Senior Girls basketball team as a point guard for the team, and she helped lead the team to the city finals, which awarded her the top point guard trophy.
After her education in Calgary, Lana moved to Edmonton, where she became the 1st Blackfoot woman to serve as the Secretary for the Indian Association of Alberta (IAA). After her time in Edmonton, she moved back home to Siksika and worked as a Librarian at Milo School. She eventually moved to Calgary, a place she proudly called home, and there she would advocate for urban Siksika members who lived in the city, and she loved hosting Christmas dinners for urban Siksika with her cousin, the late Joanne Three Suns. She also enjoyed working at the Bannock booth with her mom for the Indian Village at the annual Calgary Stampede, when needed.
Lana enjoyed going to bingos, doing crossword puzzles at home, and trying her luck at casinos. She also enjoyed decorating her many homes, as she was not a person who stayed in one place for long.
Despite Lana’s challenges in life, she always had time for family; she housed many of her nieces and nephews, with her daughter, late Amy, and her grandchildren, Kelsey and Tazra; she could count on her friends, especially Stella, Flora, and late Karen First Rider in her time of need, as they also resided in Calgary.
One of the highlights of Lana’s life was rekindling her relationship with her children, whom she did not raise as she would have wanted.
Unfortunately, Lana was diagnosed with cancer in 2024. She faced her illness with strength and courage, but despite her determination, she was unable to overcome the disease. Lana peacefully passed away on May 13, 2026, at the Strathmore Hospital.
We will surely miss our precious Lana but it eases our hearts to know that Lana will now reunite with her daughter, Amy, who she missed so much, along with her grandparents, Lyndon & Dorothy Many Bears, Joe Ghostskin, Ruth Studhorse, William Many Heads; her parents, Jasper Sr Many Heads and Cecilia (Many Bears) Many Heads; her siblings, Van Ryan, Jasper Jr, and Rose Marie Many Heads; her sister-in-law, Terrylene Many Heads; special cousins, Joanne Three Suns, Carol Wells (Yellow Fly), Fran Wolf Leg, and Delores Many Heads; her special nieces and nephews, Yvette Turning Robe, Darnell Many Heads, Lance Jerace, and Tyler Many Guns; numerous aunts and uncles from the Many Bears and Many Heads families; numerous cousins too many to mention.
Extended families include the Many Bears, Many Heads, Many Guns, Yellow Fly, Poor Eagle, Duck Chief, Running Rabbit, Crowfoot, Fox, Three Suns, Back Fat, Wolf Leg, Royal, Cutter, Scout, Strangling Wolf, Panther Bone, Weasel Head, Shade, Hairy Bull and Wolf Child from Kainai and Spotted Eagles from the Blackfeet Nation. We apologize if we missed anyone.
The family would like to thank the Strathmore hospital staff and the South Health Campus hospital staff for caring for our Lana, the Siksika Elders Lodge staff for their hospitality and comfort during Lana’s short stay, the Siksika Home Care staff for their support with Lana’s medical needs, and to the Native Liaison workers at the hospitals for their assistance and support during Lana’s stay at the hospitals.
Lana’s family deeply appreciates and thanks all for the prayers and support during our difficult time.
Wake service will be on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at her sister’s place (Jackie), in Siksika, Alberta, Map 4, NCR195. Wake will begin at 3 p.m. for the family and the public.
Funeral service will be on Monday, May 18, 2026, at the Holy Trinity Church, Siksika, Alberta. There will be a viewing at 12 p.m., and the funeral will begin at 1 p.m.
Burial service will be at the Many Bears family cemetery in Shouldice, Alberta, where she will be laid to rest by her daughter, Amy.
Feast to follow at Jackie’s residence.

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