BREAKER, Rosalyn Windsor “Oohtkoyiipiiksaaki” Yellow Bird Woman

BREAKER, Rosalyn Windsor“Oohtkoyiipiiksaaki”Yellow Bird Woman
January 9, 1931 – Siksika, Alberta
May 26, 2019 – Strathmore, Alberta

Rosalyn Big Snake-Breaker passed away with her family by her side on Sunday, May 26, 2019 at the Sagewood Extended Care Centre at the age of 88 years old.
Rosalyn married her late husband Robert Breaker in 1948 and they had nine children and three adopted children, Darrel (Rosemarie), Donna, Robert Jr. (Audrey), Stewart (Kathy), Ian (Candace), Hester, Darcie, Merlin (Rayann), and Rudy (Darlene); traditionally adopted children, Ralph Makokis, Jenny Goodin and Sam Jerry. She had thirty-two grandchildren, fifty-seven great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her brothers, Gordon (Christine) Big Snake, and Bernard St. Goddard and sister Dolly Stone.
Rosalyn was born into a family of eleven children, nine brothers and one sister and grew up on Siksika Nation. Mom’s family were members of the Eagle Rib (Piitohpikisa) Clan. She was raised, lived and practiced the traditional Siksika way of life and Catholic faith which she instilled in her children/grandchildren to carry on. She attended St. Joseph Indian Residential School in Cluny, AB at six years old in 1937 and continued onto Cluny High School and graduated from Grade 12 in 1947. She started work when Indian Agents left Siksika, in 1966/67. She was employed with the Blackfoot Education Department as a student counsellor and then with Blackfoot Social Services as a child welfare worker. She continued to work as a Counsellor for Calgary Native Alliance and in 1974 as a Community Health Representative (CHR) with Medical Services Branch, Health Canada. She was instrumental in planning and implementing health programs along with training and mentoring nursing staff & doctors in community health and ways of Siksika. She was known for her work ethic, integrity, dedication, care and compassion for people she worked with and for. On occasion Rosalyn would be invited to conducted Cultural Awareness Training for medical students at the University of Calgary. She was involved in various Committees and Boards throughout her life, Siksika Health, Siksika Education, Siksika Aiskapimohkiiks (Traditional Dispute Resolution) Program, Community Health Representatives Association of Alberta, Anglican Church Women’s Group and the Sisters of Providence. Rosalyn was very athletic and enjoyed horse back riding, baseball, broomball etc., when she was young. She was an active member of Siksika with her work and supporting her children and grandchildren with sports events and educational pursuits. She instilled strong work ethics and the power of prayer and faith in the creator which her children carry on. Rosalyn’s and her late husband’s legacy of the farming and ranching life style continues today with their six sons and grandchildren of five generations. Her unconditional love, humour and grace touched so many.
Rosalyn leaves behind the following extended family relatives: Big Snakes, Good Eagles, Drunken Chiefs, St Goddards, Poor Eagles, Leathers, Long Time Sleeping, Doore’s, and Three Suns. She was predeceased by her husband Robert Sr. (2014), parents, Simon (1973) and Almenia (1969) Big Snake; brothers, Leslie Doore, Freddie Doore, Roy Doore, Melvin Doore, Walter Long Time Sleeping, Robert Big Snake, Ken Big Snake, Archie Big Snake, and Charlotte Big Snake; and grandsons, Mason, Vincent and Sheldon.
Funeral Service was celebrated at Holy Trinity Catholic Church (Siksika Nation, AB) on Friday, May 31, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com.
In living memory of Rosalyn Breaker, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Eastside, 5388 MEMORIAL DRIVE NE Telephone: 403-248-8585.