A beautiful spirit has returned home to shine even brighter, Sikskiaki / Beverly Little Bear - Hungry Wolf made her final journey on May 11, 2026, at the age of 76. She leaves behind her teachings as her legacy. Sikskiaki is joyfully reunited with her beloved son Okan.
Sikskiaki was the second youngest child born to Kiisinoon (Edward) and Mai’stoitsoowaaki (Ruth) Little Bear. Sikskiaki was famously born on April 1, 1950, as the only sister to eight brothers; William, Gilbert, Morris, Leroy, Patrick, Leonard, Leo Roger, and Gary. Sikskaakii was a true daddy’s girl the ‘Apple of Kiisinoon’s Eye’, and too, she was a tom-boy and could wrestle and box with the best. She grew up riding horses, building things, learning mechanics and singing country and gospel songs along side with her parents and brothers. Sikskiaki was of the Iinaak’ksiiks/Small Robes clan and was raised in the community of Dead Man’s Corner amongst her many relatives on the Blood reserve.
Her early influence of a loving upbringing with the old people, traditional values, and hard work shaped her character for the rest of her life. Authentic to her core, she embodied the traits of a true Niitsitstapii, her kindness shone bright and her loving nature was her signature, she was always so willing to share all that is good.
Sikskiaki attended St. Mary’s residential school and endured many years of the harsh environment devoid of love resolved her determination that her early childhood way was the only path she would follow. Thus began her lifelong mission to bring back to the forefront the lessons learned from her childhood memories.
Beverly met her first love while at St Mary’s Residential School. This union with Clement Fox produced her oldest son; Shane Little Bear who was born on the same day as his grandpa; Kisinnoon. Edward was so honoured and proud to share his birthday with his grandson. This bond resulted in her parents raising Shane as their Kippitapoka/grandparents child.
Thereafter in her early 20’s she partnered with Natosina (Adolf Hungry Wolf) to take care of sacred Medicine Pipe Bundles and eventually Beaver Bundles. She became a holy daughter to Pat and Paula Weasel Head, Mrs. Emma Rides at the Door, Mrs. Suzy Black Plume, Mrs. White Man Left, Mrs. Margaret Hind Man and several others who provided her with a clear path in life. She supported her family in all their holy work until the very end. Sikskaakii was a pillar, central to ceremonial life throughout the Blackfoot Confederacy and beyond.
Sikskiakii was a true educator having worked in many classrooms, she loved to teach, it was so natural to her. Her influence reached international audiences through various documentaries featured on TV and radio. She homeschooled all her children and they all have grown on to lead successful lives. She was tireless in her quest to share her vast knowledge, she became an author best known for her book among others “The Ways of my Grandmothers”. She spent several years teaching phonetic Blackfoot at Blackfeet Community College and Cuts Wood School in Browning. She strove to keep language alive and envisioned a future where children would once again speak Blackfoot fluently and proudly live Nitsitapiisinii.
Above all, Sikskiakii was the loving light to her children, grandchildren and to her family whom she devoted her life. During her many years while living in B.C., she built on to the cabin that was there, with the help of her young children. Her house was complete with a sunroom with its library of books and her perfect functional kitchen where she lovingly prepared meals, she was famous for her homemade cooking all made from scratch and total love. Memorable was her gigantic loft bed with the huge sunroof over head where one could lay under a canopy of stars. Her homestead consisted of guest cabins, pens for their animals and her large greenhouse with its abundance of vegetables and fruits that nourished her family. If you were a guest in her home you were treated like royalty.
Beverly sewed countless tipis with precision, the beadwork and regalia she created, the many moccasins that adorned so many feet, the clothing, quilts and mossbags that her hands lovingly made, all taught to her by her gifted mother, Ruth. She also learned old style brain hide tanning from her various grandmothers and dear Flathead mentor Agnes Vanderburg in Arlee, Montana. Everything her hands touched resulted in rewards and she freely taught many people these traditional skills.
Her time living in North Vancouver was a highlight of her life, and a lively adventure that all enjoyed, whomever visited. While in Vancouver she met John Chemielewski and began a 15 year partnership, eventually moving home to the Blood reserve and together they adopted Vernon Scout. Their home was always warm and welcoming, full of kids, laughter and wonderfully cooked meals.
She loved to travel and road trip, and shared fond memories of Germany, Switzerland, New York City, Vancouver, Hawaii, Cuba, and Valley Crik. Her favorite annual vacation was going to Crow Fair to visit her Alden relatives from the Crow Nation.
When she left Skookumchuck, B.C. she became a script writer, attending Scriptwriters Boot Camp in San Francisco, and taking the Native film writers program at Capilano College. Upon her return to the Blood reserve Sikskiaki began working for Head Start and various on-reserve schools, including Kainai High School. She made herself available to the Blackfoot Confederacy through guest speaking, as a resident elder and being part of the Aitsiipoyiks (Blackfoot Speakers) organization. In 2011, the Lethbridge Polytechnic bestowed Sikskiaki an Honourary Bachelor of Applied Arts Degree for her continued hard-work, determination and longstanding contributions to society.
Beverly had such good humour, she was a joy to be around, she was so loved by all her nieces and nephews, in Canada, U.S.A. and Germany, who were so happy to be in her presence and feel her sunshine. She will be forever be missed by the countless lives she enriched through ceremony, work and travel. She has a huge family around the world, adopted children and siblings from the children her own parents adopted, and her many many ceremonial children. She often reminded all to take care of Mother Earth and “Do Unto Others as You Would Have Them Do Unto You.” All the Thunder Pipe and Beaver Bundle owners are family and friends, she supported all the holy people, societies and lodges on behalf of her children’s involvement; always sewing, feeding and providing comfort and guidance.
Left to cherish her memory are her Children; Shane (Sherry), Wolf (Brenda), Iniskim (Quindy), Star (Trevor), Niq (Shaun), and Vernon. Grandchildren; Shelby (Ty), Sara (Darcy), Rope, Neenah, Ty, Jaxon, Danika, Sunny Rain, Azalea, Cashius, Aliyah, Dustin, Jake, Winona, Malcolm, Natanik, Teresa, and Misty Moe Agnes Rose. Brothers; Leroy (Amethyst) Little Bear and Gary Little Bear. Families from; Beebe, Heavy Head, Day Chief, Hunt, McDonald, Jones, Bird Rattler, Sweet Grass, Eagle Plume, Low Horn, Morning Owl, Weasel Tail, Boy, Bull Plume, and her family from Crow Nation.
She was predeceased by her parents Ed and Ruth Little Bear, her sons Okan and Jude Creighton, her Siblings: William (Agnes), Gilbert (Philomena), Morris (Janet), Patrick (Christina), Evelyn Rose, Leo Roger, Leonard (Beverly) and Rosaline Day Chief. Aunt: Emma (George) Many Feathers. Uncle: Howard (Mabel) Beebe. Grandparents; Joe Beebe and Hilda (Ben Strangling Wolf), Nephews; Darryl, Mickey, Tyler and Nieces; Tawny Jo, and Morning Star. Adopted Parents; Joe and Ruth Alden of the Crow Nation in Montana. Adopted Siblings from Crow Nation; Joe Alden Jr., Alvin Alden, Lavonne (Buddy) Tall Bear, and Amajean Daphne Alden.
Adopted Siblings; Vivian Little Bear, Lewis(Linda) Little Bear, Frances Alden, Clara Alden, Joselyn (Clarence) Three Irons, Anita (Dana) Old Coyote, Laurie Ann Alden, and Nema (Charlie) Alden-Scott Jr. Adopted Children; Jaime Blood, Josh Mountain Horse, Paulette Fox, Scott Hobson and Ali (New Zealand), Lyubomir and Elitsa Kyumyurdijiev (Bulgaria), Tony Mack (Bella Coola), Jesse Derosier, Michael John Derosier, and Kristy Calf Robe (Amskaapii Pikanii). Holy Daughters; Carol (John) Murray, Linda Many Guns, Rose Calling Last (Luke Hairy Bull), Melanie White Man, Juanita Tall Man and Evelyn Hairy Bull. Special Friends; Arnold Fox, Honey Davis, Julie McKenzie, Joyce Healy, Rodney and Debbie Aune, Audrey Bearham, and Sigi Schmidt. Last but not least her many students over the years whom carry on her teachings and knowledge.
Sikskiakii took all her nieces and nephews as her own children, with Tiny as her confidante and Robin as her arms and legs, and all their offspring were also her treasured, adored grandchildren. We thank Napi Natosi / Creator for all the time we had with our Beverly. The family apologizes for not being able to name everyone, you are all cherished.
We also graciously thank all the medical staff that helped our Mom Sikskiaki at Chinook Regional Hospital, Cardston Health Center, Lee Crest Supportive Living Center and Kainai Continuing Care Centre. Lastly, we would like to thank Martin Brothers Funeral Chapels, for handling the end-of-life care for our dear Mother.
A Wake Service will be held at 6:00 PM, on Monday, May 18, 2026, at GLADSTONE HALL, Blood Reserve, Alberta.
A Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 PM, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at GLADSTONE HALL, Blood Reserve, Alberta.
Sikskiaki will be laid to rest in the LITTLE BEAR FAMILY PLOT located in Dead Man’s Corner on the Blood Reserve.