Ms. Marcia Holly Medicine Shield (Smith)

“Tso’wa’aki” Marcia Holly Smith
It is with deep sorrow we announce “Tso’wa’aki” Marcia Holly Smith (nee Crow-Chief), entered the spirit world on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Marcia will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and kind friend. Her spirit of generosity and care will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to know her. Marcia was born on August 19, 1966, and attended both on and off-reserve schools and graduated from Drumheller Composite High School. Following in the footsteps of her sister Lillian, during high school, Marcia competed and became the Sr. Siksika Princess in 1984 and represented Siksika at Powwows across Canada and USA. Marcia lived and worked in Siksika serving the Siksika children, whether it was providing safe environments for children through Siksika family services or later as the Siksika FAS Coordinator. Marcia lovingly assisted families with support and provided bonding experiences with families through camp-outs at Castle Mountain. Marcia advocated fiercely for the children and presented at FAS conferences all over the country. She was deeply spiritual and was an ordained minister for some time and helped in many gospel ministries and camp meetings. It should be noted she shared a special bond with her Crowchief nieces and nephews, taking them as her own. Her nieces; Lena, Dawn, Jade, Carrie-Ann, and Disa (Goddaughter) have many fond and sometimes humorous memories of their escapades. Marcia was an avid horse lover and was part of the 2007 Cypress Hills Blackfoot Confederacy/Na Soo Wa Horseback Ride. She followed the rodeo circuit cheering on her brothers and other family members. In her early adult years, she supported her Medicine Shield family in the chuckwagon association, travelling all over Alberta & BC. Marcia loved the country western style, and it showed in her home décor and style of clothing. She played the guitar and enjoyed singing the "ladies of country" tunes. Marcia supported her son Carlyle and daughter Chasidy playing in the Siksika minor hockey league and organized the first all girl’s hockey team in Siksika, bringing them to play in the treaty games. She was proud of her son Jeff’s drag queen persona as Lola Chokecherry and attended many of his performances. In the summer of 2020, Marcia married her love Rick Smith in a traditional ceremony in Siksika. In their short time together, they built a life of song and generosity. Together they organized the White Elk Toy drive for the Piikani community. Over 4 years they distributed more than three hundred toys and Christmas filled socks to children. In conjunction with the Toy drive was also the much loved annual "Turkey Toss". Marcia proudly supported her husband’s singing career attending Kirbfest (music festival) in Piikani, Calgary Stampede Breakfast singing performances, and supported her husband in competition, and help created two cds of her husband’s singing. They were always traveling, and just going with the wind. Marcia also supported her husband in pool tourneys as well and would often sub when needed and gave her “Siksika cut” straight shot. She loved to cheer on the team and rarely missed a game. She enjoyed garage sales and showing her finds/deals. Marcia and Rick loved to ride their scooters through out the Calgary Stampede and never missed a day; always ending the day off with fireworks. Marcia would often take her grandson Guy along with them to visit his little friend Shasha, whether it was a trip to the zoo or just swimming. Marcia over the years became close friends with many and loved going out and dancing the night away. She became remarkably close to her mother-in-law Veronica Smith and when visiting Piikani they would laugh and share stories in fluent Blackfoot.
Marcia’s pride and joy were her beloved sons, Carlyle Medicine Shield & Jeffrey Water Chief, and cherished daughter Chasidy (Lewis) Wildman. Her traditional children include Raelynn RG, RJ First Rider, Khadejah WC, and Tanya ET. Her precious grandchildren are Charli, Latrelle, Gage, Tayshen, Baby Guy, Dominic, Maisen, Freedom, Amalia, Keely, Addisyn, and Lavender & great-granddaughter Iridianna. Marcia was pre-deceased by her husband Guy Medicine Shield; parents Hugh & Valerie Crow Chief (nee Backfat), and brothers Homer Keith & Hugh Jr., sister Lillian, traditional daughter Danielle Big Old Man and traditional brother Apoya Francis Axe. Marcia is survived by her loving husband Rick, her Siblings Romeo, Ann-Marie (Rob), Daphne (Dexter), Bob (Barbra), Duane, Wilda (Calvert), Glen, Jason (Carrie), and Ben. Her traditional siblings - Katie Red Old Man, Denise Eyman, Leanne Sleigh, Michelle Crow Chief, Oliva Good Rider, Kevin Brass, her mother-in-law Victoria White Elk-Smith, Smith in-laws from Piikani First Nation and nephews, nieces, and cousins too numerous to mention. She is also survived by her Great Aunt Rena Sinclair, Aunt Isabel Olivier, Aunt Eileen Black, Uncles Larry Water Chief, Mario (Karen) Water Chief and Godmother Christine Little Chief.
Marcia’s Extended Clan Families are the Backfat, Black, Many Guns, White Elk, Crow Chief, Sitting Eagle, Olivier, Ayoungman, Weasel Head, Many Fires, Good Eagle, Young, Water Chief, Little Light, Red Guns, Poor Eagles, Black Kettles, Sleigh, Pretty Young Man, Tail Feathers, Beebe, Little Chiefs, Royal, Hairy Bull, Wolf Leg, Starlight, Bear Shirt, Healy, and Fox.
The family would like to thank the Foothills Hospital – Unit 94 Staff for their care and all those that reached out during our time of need.
The wake and funeral service will be held at the Gordon Yellow Fly Memorial Arbour. The wake will be on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 (6PM) and Funeral Service on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 11:00 AM. Family invites you back to the Gordon Yellow Fly Memorial Arbour for a feast following burial.

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