Calvin Robert First “Chataka” (Left Hand), age 64, of Poplar, MT, a grandson of Chief Medicine Bear was called home Sunday, November 7, 2010 at in Billings, MT.
Chatka (Left Hand) was born June 1, 1946 in the family home in Fort Kipp, MT, son of the late Jerome First and Nina Goes In House. Calvy, as he was known to family and friends, attended school in Brockton and Poplar, where he played basketball and football. Later he earned his G.E.D. Calvy also liked to ride horses and rode in many rodeos throughout North and South Dakota, Canada, and Montana. He met and married Myrna Jean Red Boy and to this union came four children, Inez Pretty Bear, Lyneete June, Lakota Thomas, and Bear First.
Calvy participated in the Relocation Program, living in San Jose, CA and Chicago, IL, and finally moving back to the Fort Peck Reservation. He worked at the Fort Peck A&S Gun Factory, later as a dispatcher, juvenile officer, judge and police officer for the Fort Peck Tribes. He was also a Sergeant for the B.I.A. Police. Calvy was also a member of the Red Eagle Presbyterian Church in Fort Kipp. He later became a Sun Dancer and supporter of the traditional Dakota way of life. Along with his cousin Leland Spotted Bird, they were each given a pipe by the late Gerald Red Elk to be Pipe carriers for the Dakota/Lakota of Fort Peck. He also Sun Danced with his adopted brother, Leonard Crow Dog at Crow Dog’s Paradise in Rosebud, SD for many years. Last year, he was made a Sun Dance Chief.
Calvy was an advocate for the 1851 and 1868 Fort Laramie Treaties, being a member of the Fort Peck Sioux General Council, Fort Peck Sioux Treaty Council and a representative of Fort Peck on the Black Hills Sioux Nation Council.
Calvy also enjoyed dancing at Pow-wows throughout the area where he made many friends whom he kept throughout the years. Calvy also had a talent for working with feathers, making many bustles and other Pow-wow regalia
Calvy always had a smile and loved to joke with his many friends and relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jerome First Sr. and Nina Goes in House; siblings, Christine, Wilma, Reynold and Frederick Dean First; nephews, Harold “Smokey” Greybull and Aaron Hamilton; granddaughter, Thomsina First; and adopted brothers, Matthew Big Talk and Leroy Pamni.
He is survived by his wife, Myrna of Poplar; children, Inez Pretty Bear, Lynette June First, and Lakota Thomas (Joanne) First all of Poplar, and Bear (Janet) First of El Paso, TX; siblings, Karen Lizotte, Winifred Grey Bull and Jerome First Jr. all of Poplar; 14 nieces and nephews, Ninette and T.C. Hamilton, Deanna Buckles, Patricia Steen, Shana and Millie First, Helen M. First Dineyazhe, Vernon “Tuffy” First, Del Wayne First, Wayne First, Kevin First Sr., Chris First Sr., Anthony Hamilton and Thomas Gone; grandchildren, TaRess “Num Nums”, Dion, Raycine, Kyle, Quaden “Chon-cho”, Conway “Chumley”, Seneca, Kadence, Simaron, KayJay, Quannah, Channing, Brett, Megan, Kendall, Kevin Jr., Josh, Justine, Jacob, Grace, Chris Jr., Tristan, Kentrall, Kden First, Antoine Reddogg, Anthony “Bubbles”, Aariann “Dooz” Mazawasicuna, Jasime Bridges, Adrianna “Hopz” and Brandon Hamilton, Chris and Aimee Gone, Loren, Loree, and Aaree Grey Bear, Jacob and Jalen Belgrade, Cara, Nick, and Kianna Horse Looking, LaShia McBride, Courtney, Wacey and Wes Grey Bull, Desmond, Diamond, and Heather Dineyazhe, and Michelle McGuire; two sister in laws, Judy Red Boy of Poplar, and Linda Lou Red Elk of Wolf Point, MT; special granddaughters, Eileen Lambert and Angeline Cheek; 3 great grandchildren, Holy Bear Swift Bird, Lilly Anna Yazzie-Youngman, and Kiel Grey Bear; and many other numerous relatives and the families of Four Bear, Perry, Black Dogs, White Eagle, Boxer, and Spotted Bird. If we forgot anyone we apologize.
A prayer service will be held 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 10 at the Poplar Cultural Center in Poplar. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, November 11, also at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment will follow at the First Cemetery (the old First residence) north of Fort Kipp, MT.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.