Ralph David Chief

Ralph David Chief was born on July 1, 1957 to Norman and Alvina Chief. He was the eighth child of seventeen siblings. He had 5 brothers and 11 sisters. Ralph loved to do carpentry work and also loved to farm on his spare time. He was involved in helping start the Seekaskootch pow wow drum group. He was really proud of the drum group's success in their singing careers. He loved to travel and sing with his nephews all over pow wow country. He really loved singing that when his grandson Leeland took interest in singing he was very supportive and very proud.

Ralph was a firm believer in the traditional way of life (ceremonial). He was gifted the bear sweat lodge and became a healer to many people from near and far. His sweat lodge was consistent and steady, which caused an abundance of people to attend, His sweat lodges will be dearly missed. People would phone from all over just to come sweat with him,. Every time he hosted a sweat he would always reminisce about his brother Arnold, sharing memories and often saying he missed him dearly. Ralph is now reunited with his big brother. 

Ralph had a great love for his family and also the outdoors, going on family outings, fishing, hunting, quading, attending cultural camps, berry picking, and medicine picking. He really enjoyed attending cultural ceremonies such as: sun dances, chicken dances, horse dances, and all other kind of ceremonies. In his younger years, Ralph loved to travel to round dances with his brother Roy Naistus, the Late Dan Chief, Late Paul Chief, Late Morris Lewis, Late Austin Mountain and the Late Ross Mountain.

Ralph David was predeceased by: his grandson: Colvin Daley Chief (Coco) (2020); his father, Norman Chief (1983), his paternal grandfather, Jimmy Chief, (1984), his maternal grandparents, Mary Cecile Quinney (1996) and Charlie Quinney (1987); and his mother, Alvina Francesca Chief (2016). His Sisters; Norma Chief (1999), Betty Chief (2018), Lydia Chief (2019), and Lorraine Chocan (2023); his brother Arnold Chief (2016) his nieces and nephews: Chantille Chief (2023), Emily Chief (2023), Gina Chief (2023), Christy Chief (2021), Blake Chief (2021), Patricia Chief (2016), Sandy Chief (2007), Donovon Chief (2003), Candace Chocan (1991), and Carlyle Chief (1981); his grandchildren; Jordan Rabbit (2016), Desiree Chocan-Stanley (2014), Richauna Chief (2014), Jeneane Chief (2012) and Kenly Chief (2006).

He is survived by: his adopted son, Carlyle Cowboy Chief (Monica); his grandchildren Leeland Checkosis, Kydell Mcadam, Carleigh Chief; his siblings Roy Naistus, Susan Chief, Rodney (Beatrice) Chief, Clifford (Mavis) Chief, Viola Chief, Marilyn Chief, Arlene Chief, Eleanor Chief, Eileen Chief, Lyle (Anna) Chief, Karen Chief (Quinton), half-brother, Peter Chief, adopted brother, Kerry (Lydia) Stanley, adopted sister, Vivian Tobler; one maternal aunty Alma Poitras; maternal uncles, Bruce Naistus, Duncan Quinney, and Clarence Quinney; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, grandchildren and chapans.

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