Parcourez la nécrologie de Leander Strikes With A Gun April 22 1951
September 8 2024 résidant dans la province Alberta pour le détail des funérailles.
Leander Strikes With A Gun Obituary
.LEANDER STRIKES WITH A GUN – Obituary
SIK-KSI-NII-KO-KAAN
April 22, 1951 – September 8, 2024
“SIKKSINIIKOKAAN – Buffalo Lodge,” Leander Strikes With A Gun, of the Piikani Nation, passed away peacefully with family at his side at Chinook Regional Hospital on Sunday, September 8, 2024, at the age of 73 years. Piikani Nation families from the clans of the Strikes With A Gun, Holloway, and Big Bull, have suffered a great loss, given Leander’s leadership, and support for his family and community. Leander leaves behind his adult children, Devin, and John (Georgette); his Grandchildren: Blair, Michael, Amanda, Shania, Ben, and Carey; his Great Grandchildren: Zaiden, Xavier, Sophia, Greyson, Bentley, Azailia and Durian. Grandpa Leander had a special bond with baby Sophia. Sophia and Grandpa were always together, they went everywhere. Most of the times we would meet Sophia and Grandpa cruising together.
He was born to Mark and Cecile (Little Leaf) Strikes With A Gun and was raised first in High Bush, near the Oldman River. So, he was one of the many High Bush “kids”. Later the family moved to his grandparent’s homestead, Miikyapi (Charlie Strikes With A Gun) and Staahtau-yoh-towah (Alice Muggins). The location of the present day Piikani Nation schools is the ancestral home of Charlie and Alice Strikes With A Gun, this is the place where Charlie built his homestead and welcomed relatives and friends. Leander was one of the many Pookaiks (Children), who brought joy, and love to Miikyapi’s home. Leander Strikes With A Gun was an Indian Residential School Survivor, he attended the Sacred Heart Indian Residential School, Peigan Day School and Matthew Halton High School in Pincher Creek.
Leander, SIKKSINIIKOKAAN, and his dear wife Diane, were married in 1975, she passed away in 2019. Both of them were dedicated to bringing up their children and grandchildren with love, encouragement and strong family values. Their parental involvement in supporting the children in sports, and school extended into the community with fund raising and praise given to those who joined. They provided opportunities for all Piikani youth to become involved, as demonstrated by the Buffalo Runners group. He would drive and have water available for those strong young Piikani athletes. Both Leander and Diane are remembered for their unwavering support and involvement of our youth in different activities in our community. They went over and above to give to our community by supporting youth to achieve their potential and live a healthier lifestyle.
The Strikes With A Gun family consisting of the late Faron, Gayle, Pam and Leander were entrepreneurs in the management and leadership of Peigan Moccasin Factory, SWAG Enterprises, Peigan Medical Taxi, Piikani Convenience Store and Gas Station. Leander joined his siblings in the organization and business ventures for the Piikani people. SWAG Enterprises contributed to Piikani people gaining employment and having a livelihood. He always spoke proudly about SWAG Enterprises.
In the early, 1990s, Leander along with Nelbert Little Mustache, and Rena Knowlton were breaking barriers and established the first ever Peigan Disabilities Service, a grassroots initiative. The group used their lived and work experience to advocate on behalf of Band members who were physically challenged. They researched these situations and became aware that support for infrastructure was critical. Their efforts gave light to the needs and much needed support for people with disabilities.
His employment included many years with the Town of Pincher Creek, so his experience with urban development is significant. He enrolled in training in Fort McMurray to enhance his employability. Later on, he joined the Native Counselling Services of Alberta, which was connected to the Solicitor General’s department and Leander worked as a Correction’s Officer with the Bush Camp Initiative. As a court worker he supported clients and represented them in the court system.
Leander has a legacy of leadership spanning many years, as an elected member of Piikani Nation Chief and Council. In those years, the 1980s, and early 1990s, his role as a Peigan Council member deserves honorable mention. The Council dealt with issues directed at sovereignty, land rights, economic development, prevention services and the Lone Fighter’s diversion of the Oldman River. He along with other Council members, stood their ground to defend the jurisdiction of Piikani land and water rights. Leander and other Council member’s actions taken towards the Alberta government was critical for the Nation, even to this day. He had strong values to stand up and advocate for the Grassroots to have a voice, this was his responsibility, which he enjoyed. In some ways, his work is characterized by his grandfather, Charles Strikes With A Gun, Miikyapi. In the 1950s, Miikyapi gave up his traditional homestead lands to have a new Day School built which was completed in the early 1960’s. Today, this location is the home of the many generations of Piikani children who attend the schools. Miikyapi made the decision with his own grandchildren also, benefitting from the new Day School being built.
Given Leander’s parental involvement and interest into local control of education, he was elected as a Board Trustee for Peigan Board of Education (PBOE) in 1995. His commitment towards excellence in schooling for all students and lifelong learning is being commended. There was never a time for retirement because there are always matters that required attention in the community, and Leander and the PBOE made the education of students a priority. At this time Leander and Diane were raising their grandchildren and supporting them to get a good education. Also, Diane had dedicated most of her career working at Peigan Day School and PBOE. They both contributed immensely to the educational change for students in Piikani.
Leander’s educational, and political leadership also, gave him the opportunity to connect with Siksikaitsitapii Ways which enhanced his role and responsibility to being transferred his Blackfoot name, SIKKSINIIKOKAAN by respected Ceremonialist and Elder, Joseph Crowshoe Sr. He participated in the sacred bundle ceremonies with Uncle Peter and Auntie Jeannie. He encouraged his family and children to participate in our Niitsitapi ways of life. Some of the Niitsitapi traditional values that he encouraged included: Kimmapiiypitsinni, Aatsimoyikaan, Isspommaanitapiisysinni and Niitsitapiiysinni. Another highlight in Leander’s life included the Buffalo Run, which took place from Chief Mountain in Montana to Lac Ste. Anne, in northern Alberta. In this Run, Leander and Diane gave their 100% support to and encouraged their grandson Mike and other youth to compete. They we so proud of him. The Buffalo Run continues today, up until Leander’s passing, he remained involved as much as he could.
Leander is survived by his father, Mark (Blandine) Strikes With A Gun, his eldest sister Jacqueline Big Bull, Angel (Mike) Knowlton, Natasha (Neil) Stevenson; and his brother Clinton, Chief Troy (Lisa) Knowlton; and his Uncle, Chief Peter (Jeannie) Strikes With A Gun and Auntie Isabel Wolf Tail; and special great Auntie Louise English; and his daughter-in-law, Phyllis Small Legs; and his brother-in-law, Frank Wolf Tail; and sister-in-law, Dayle Holloway. Some of his relatives and mentor friends include Billy North Peigan, Stan Knowlton, Spencer Warrior, Willard Yellowface, Calvin Williams, Otis Potts, Mike Fabris, to name a few.
His many nieces and nephews, include, the following: Rosie (Ferlin) Crowshoe, Joey (Danielle) Holloway, Darcy Strikes With A Gun, Russell North Peigan, Claudia North Peigan, Cecilia Big Bull (Ronald Healy), Jack Eagle Bear, Nathan Wolf Child, Yolanda Wolf Child, Jordan Strikes With A Gun, Kimberly Strikes With A Gun, Mia Rantanen, Amber (Terrance Plain Eagle) Strikes With A Gun, Sarah (Sonny First Rider) Strikes With A Gun, Isaiah Wolf Tail, Donna Knowlton, Irene Knowlton, Tammy (Calvin) Plain Eagle, Karen Holloway, Franny Holloway, Erica (Demar) Murray, Jim (Justice) Plain Eagle, Francine D., Lori and Adele Holloway, Stacy (Merk) Post and Lisa Diane Karaz (Holloway).
He was predeceased by his Mother, Cecile Strikes With A Gun-Little Leaf; his dear wife and partner, Diane (Holloway) Strikes With A Gun; his sons, Francis Strikes With A Gun and Delaney Holloway; his sisters, Pam Wolf Tail, former Chief Gayle Strikes With A Gun (Larry), Benita, Myrna; and his sisters-in-law, Rebecca North Peigan, Sharon North Peigan, Florence Knowlton, Linda Holloway, Sylvia Strikes With A Gun. He was also predeceased by his brothers, Jarvis, Faron, Charlie, Hillary, Burton Strikes With A Gun; and brothers-in-law, Mills Big Bull, Larry Provost, Johnny Holloway, Sam Holloway, Duckie Holloway, Barry Holloway, and Clayton Holloway. Leander’s predeceased paternal relatives include the following: Tony (Gertie) Strikes With A Gun, Eva (Albert) Little Mustache, James Natahyou Strikes With A Gun, Maude (Clyde) Prairie Chicken, William (Katherine) Strikes With A Gun; and his maternal relatives, Jim (Esther) Little Leaf, and Jack (Vera) Little Leaf. He was also, predeceased by his mother-in-law, Cecille (Frank) Holloway.
Leander is survived by his many nieces, nephews, relatives, Elders, and friends from the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani and AamskapiiPiikani) and Stoney Nakoda Nation, Tsuut’ina Nation. His many relatives include the following surnames and clans: Wolf Tail, Prairie Chicken, Crow Eagle, English, Yellowhorn, Bastien, Little Leaf, Provost, Little Mustache, Big Bull, Born With A Tooth, Duck Chiefs, Smith, Little Young Man, Knowlton, White Cow, Holloway, Crowshoe, Crazy Boy, Sharp Adze, North Peigan, Crow Eagle and Muggins. We acknowledge, that Leander Strikes With A Gun, Sikksiniikokaan, is from the Lone Fighters clan.
Leander is no longer suffering and he is with his beloved wife Diane, and those family members who have gone home. We now have his love in our hearts, precious memories, and strong family values which will be with us now and shared with the next generation.
The family sincerely, apologizes for anyone whose names were missed.
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April 22 1951
September 8 2024
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Leander Strikes With A Gun April 22 1951
September 8 2024..
Décès pour la Ville: High-River, Province: Alberta
avis deces Leander Strikes With A Gun April 22 1951
September 8 2024
necrologie Leander Strikes With A Gun April 22 1951
September 8 2024
Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de Leander Strikes With A Gun April 22 1951
September 8 2024 et espérons que leur mémoire pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.