Michael Standing Alone

Nii-Tsi-Kainai-Koo-Waan (Blood Indian Man)

     Michael Jay Standing Alone, was called home to Creator on November 4, 2021. Mike was born in the early spring on April 22, 1983. in Lethbridge, Alberta to Dale Marie Standing Alone Wagner and Floyd LaPlante. So much love and joy came to the family that day. Mike, along with his mom, lived in many cities in Canada and the United States while Dale Marie, pursued her education. Mike always knew his home was at the 22 Ranch in Old Agency with his grandma and grandpa, Alfred and Lily Standing Alone, where he lived as a young man. Mike loved his home at Mom and Dad’s ranch and grew up farming and ranching along with Girlie, Alfred Jr. (Bunny), and Ron. The 22 Ranch in Old Agency is where Mike, found his calling in Agriculture, Grandpa Alfred, taught Mike, everything he needed to know about farming and ranching. Mike knew how to fence, brand, run the tractor and everything else in between. Brandings with family and friends were Mike’s, favorite memories. Nii-Tsi-Kainai-Koo-Waan lived our Blackfoot way of life and carried on the teachings of his Grandpa Alfred.

     Mike’s Grandfather Alfred Standing Alone Sr., along with Great Aunt Mae Weasel Fat, and Great Grandfather Henry Standing Alone, held the Mii-Somm-Maah-Koi-Yin-Nii-Maan (Long Time Medicine Pipe) in 1937. Mike’s Great Grandmother Noyis (Louise) was a Motoki (Buffalo Woman). Thus Mike had the utmost respect and love for his grandparents and family.

     Mike received his early education at Nicholas Sheran Elementary, Saipoyi Elementary School, F.P Walshe High School, and Little Pony Academy. Later in life, Mike pursued his post-secondary education at Red Crow Community College Satellite Campus where he graduated in 2019. He continued his education at the Lethbridge Community College, in the Agriculture Science Program. Mike enjoyed participating in many extracurricular activities while in school including Red Crow Community College Student Council and Lethbridge Community College Aggie Club. He was a large presence around campus and will be dearly missed by many classmates and teachers. His favorite mentor and teacher at the Lethbridge Community College was Byrne Cook.

     Growing up at the 22 Ranch in Old Agency with his grandparents, Mike loved to cook for family and friends. Grandma Lily wanted Mike to go into the culinary arts. Mike developed a love for reading at a very early age and had an impressive collection of books. Mike was a gun enthusiast and could take apart and put together assault rifles with precision and speed. Mike had many adventures horn hunting in Glacier National Park with his stepfather Dean Wagner. Mike was a collector of all kinds of things, his collection included a hydroponic grow tent and a beer making kit. Mike was a jack of all trades and made his first paycheck at the age of fourteen. His first job was working with his stepfather Dean Wagner at Blackfeet Housing laying tile and doing carpentry. Mike volunteered his service in the United States Army as a young man and was honourably discharged. Mike was also employed in northern Alberta as a Chef at McClelland Lake Lodge, Alberta and for Suncor Energy in Fort Hills, Alberta.

     Mike was an excellent uncle, and along with Dale Marie and Grandpa Alfred, has helped raise his nephew Sotana, and nieces Kessy and Tylee. The kids have been the light in Mike’s life since they came into Girlie’s home and he was a good provider to them. Mike made sure Sotana, Kessy, and Tylee always had the nicest clothes and went to school everyday. He would get really excited for the kids’ birthdays and would buy decorations and gifts. Mike would bring the kids fishing at Nicholas Sheran Lake, horseback riding in Old Agency, shopping at the mall, picking fruit, and anyplace else they wanted to go like Whoop-Up days. Mike enjoyed bringing Sotana fishing at Nicholas Sheran Lake. When Mike and Sotana weren’t able to catch any fish, Cousin Ty told them to put some tobacco down and they will get a lot of fish. Mike also cherished being a Godfather to Paisly Bird-Weasel Fat.

     Mike loved agriculture and it was his passion. Throughout his life, Mike put up a lot of hay with his dad Alfred and cut a lot of fields with his brothers Ron and Bunny on Dad’s land. He spent many hours working with Cyrus soil sampling, driving tractor, and fencing. Mike and Cyrus had big plans for future business in agriculture. Mike loved education, he instilled this in Sotana, Kessy, and Tylee. He was a large presence at the Red Crow Community College Satellite Campus and Lethbridge College and will be missed by many classmates, friends, and instructors. Cody and Jayne are going to miss their late-night cruises with Mike, they had to share him. The 22 Ranch and Old Agency were Mike’s favorite places; he will be missed immensely at the 22 Ranch. The love and respect Mike had for his Grandpa Alfred Standing Alone Sr., was that of a loving grandson.

     Nii-Tsi-Kainai-Koo-Waan is survived by his Grandfather Alfred Standing Alone Sr. whom he called Dad, loving mother Dale Marie Wagner, his children Sotana, Kessy and Tylee. Sisters Chelsea (Vernon Grant) Brave Rock, Jera Dee (Ty Vaile) Wagner, Jayden Standing Alone, Terry Jane (Kerwin) Chaboyer, Amelle Weasel Fat. Uncles Alfred Standing Alone Jr., Ron (Wendy) Standing Alone, Winston Wadsworth, Vincent Larry of El Paso, Texas. Aunts May Weasel Fat, Sophie Tailfeathers, Nita Wells, Ruth (Carmon) Maclehan, Rosemarie Tailfeathers, Jennifer (Albert) Rabbit, Deborah Chee of Indian Wells, Arizona, Byrde (Del Jr.) Healy, Marie Wadsworth, Geraldine (Joe) Weasel Fat-McKay, Donna (Larry Fox) Weasel Fat, Theresa Big Plume.

     Nii-Tsi-Kainai-Koo-Waan journeys to the Great Sand Hills to join his Mom Lily Standing Alone, Brother Ricky Standing Alone, Stepfather Dean Wagner, Sister Mackenzie Lily Brave Rock-Plant, Paternal Great Grandparents Henry and Louise Standing Alone, Maternal Grandparents Frank (Minnie Wings) EagleTailfeathers, Aunts Adeline Many Chief, Ada Weasel Moccasin, Rose Wings, Ruth Wings, Margaret Good Rider, Ada Fox, Marlene Mountain Horse, Gloria EagleTailfeathers, Elizabeth Crow Chief, Buella Standing Alone. Uncles Andy, Allan, Pete Standing Alone, Bob EagleTailfeathers, Dan Weasel Fat Sr., Horace Quesnelle, Wayne Wells, Fred Tailfeathers, Allan Tailfeathers, Ray Many Chief, Frank Good Rider, Bernard EagleTailfeathers, Captain Glenn Rhodes. Special cousins Faron Buffalo, Shawn Blood, Gary (Twister) Tailfeathers, Myron (BigM) Wadsworth.

          A Wake Service will be held from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Friday, November 12, 2021 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610- 4 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta.

     A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday November 13, 2021 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, Lethbridge, Alberta.

     To watch Michael’s service via livestream please go to https://www.mbfunerals.com/obituary/Michael-StandingAlone and scroll to the bottom of the page.

     Interment will follow at One Spot Cemetery at Old Agency Blood Indian Reserve. Food will be distributed to those who attend when leaving the Graveside Service.