Cheyenne Merrick

Cheyenne Edna Merrick

“Two Eagle Feathers Crossed”

It is with great sadness we announce that our beloved Shy began her journey to the spirit world on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in Victoria, BC at the age of 41 years.

Shy was born in Vancouver, BC on October 26, 1977. Shy and her sister Thelma grew up in Kehewin Cree Nation, AB after their mom married Alvin John.  Shy went to school in Kehewin and Bonnyville, AB, finishing Grade 9 before she moved to Long Plain with her family. Shy was crowned Junior Princess of Kehewin in 1988. She also took 2nd place for air guitar competition as Tina Turner. Shy was very athletic, involved in volleyball, gymnastics, basketball and track & field–our home walls were full of her awards. She was not shy, she talked and joked with everyone and loved all animals, especially dogs and cats.

Shy was also a jigger, dancing with a square dancing group in Kehewin that won many competitions across the province of Alberta. Cheyenne was spiritual and a sun dancer. When she was not dancing, she helped her Mooshum, Norbert with his sun dances and sweats.

After moving back to Manitoba, Shy was a recreation worker for Long Plain First Nation.

She ran in the Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games in 2000, 2002 and 2004 representing Long Plain, and she won Gold Silver and Bronze Medals.

In 2006, Shy and her family relocated to Cranbrook, BC where Aiden and Ashton were born. They then moved to Victoria, BC in 2012 to be closer to family.

Left to mourn Shy’s passing are her sons Chris and Skyler (Rowena) and their father Chris L. Longclaws, sons Aiden and Ashton and their father Jeff Preston; grandparents Christine Garnham, Janet & Sidney Robinson; granddaughter Lenna Meechas; her mom and dad Freida and Alvin John; sisters Thelma and Angie Bone Daniels and her father Ken Daniels; sister in-laws Robbie and Stacey; nephews Kyan, Andrew-Cloud, Duane, Conner, Justin, Tyson and many aunties, uncles and cousins in Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia.

Shy was predeceased by her grandparents Edna and Alvin Merrick, Mary Rose and Norbert Jebeaux, Isabelle and Donald Daniels, father-in-law Lloyd Longclaws, uncle Gerald Thunderbird Sky, auntie Sandra “Stretch” Merrick and cousins Evan Jebeaux, Roger Merrick JR and Julie Klassen.

Shy lives forever in our hearts!

Wake will be held on Friday, September 20, 2019 at the Long Plain Spirit Lodge, beginning at 6:00 pm.  Traditional Feast and Service will take place on Saturday September 21, 2019, beginning at 11:00 am.  Burial will follow at the Merrick Cemetery.

A tree will be planted and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com 204-857-4021.