Leader Woman Stately

Leader Woman Stately “Naanaagahbooikwe Bijiwens” of the Bear Clan, age 44, entered the spirit world on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at Red Lake IHS Hospital in Red Lake, Minnesota.

Leader Woman was born on February 24, 1978, in Red Lake, Minnesota, to Leonard “Robin” Stately, Jr. and Robyn Isham.  She attended Red Lake High School, was Student of the Year as a junior, and also attended preparatory schools at Bemidji State University and at University of California at Berkeley, the first Native girl in that program.  Leader graduated as Salutatorian and went on to graduate from Red Lake Nation College with an AA Degree. She later received training in the welding trade.  Leader was proud of the time she worked as a welder and as a paraprofessional in the school system.

Leader was an artist, creating beautiful jewelry and beadwork, and even used her welding skill creatively.  In her younger years, she was a jingle dress dancer. She is remembered as gracious and kindhearted, deeply loved by family and friends and all who knew her. Leader was strongly family oriented, loving her sisters and brothers, nieces and nephews, and especially her children and grandchildren. She often spoke with love of her father “Robin” and father-in-law Archie, with whom she shared a love of the Vikings before their passing.  She had a “wicked sense of humor” and will be profoundly missed by her family and friends.

Leader is survived by Guy King, the love of her life for 26 years; sons JaDe King, Black Bear King, and Kelsy King; daughter Michelle King; mother Robyn Isham, mother-in-law Sandra King; brothers Robin Roy, Golden Eagle Stately, Rain Stately, and Zachary Stately; sisters Angel Stately, Billi Jo Mountain, Morning Star Taylor, Rachelle Stately, Bear Stately, Sky Stately, Antasia Stately, Money Stately, and Terynn Stately; grandchildren Josh, Mariah, Nicolai, Sylar, Joey, Davis, Christian, Lilah and Izaiah; and special sister Cheyenne King.  Greeting her in the spirit world are her father Leonard Stately, Jr., father-in-law Archie King; grandparents Leonard and Vivian Stately, and numerous aunts and uncles.

A wake for Leader Woman will begin on Friday, March 18, 2022, at 1:00pm at the Redby Community Center, and will continue until the service on Sunday, March 20, at 10:00am. Zac Earley and Ty Stately will serve as spiritual leaders. Pallbearers will be JaDe King, Black Bear King, Kelsy King, Guy King, Golden Eagle Stately, and Rain Stately with alternate pallbearers Zachary Stately and Trenton Stately.  Honorary pallbearers will be Joseph Wickham, Jr., Lynette Bedeau, Cheyenne King, Polly Lussier, Money Stately, Rachelle Stately, Sky Woman Stately, Bear Stately, Antasia Stately, Thea Stately, Michelle King, and Terynn Stately.  Burial will follow.

Arrangements are being provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service of Walker, Minnesota.

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