Obituary - Lloyd Charles Top of the Sky

"Body is made of Spiritual Presence"

Lloyd was born Oct. 11, 1952, in Havre, Montana, to Charlie and Eliza (Samatt) Top of the Sky. He lived on Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation with his wife, Mary, of 40 years and children, Anika Day and Samatt Hugh.

Lloyd's education began in Rocky Boy's Sangrey Elementary School. His parents moved to different areas for employment, and for that reason he attended various other schools. He graduated in 1971 from Blackfoot High School in Blackfoot, Idaho, where his parents made a home before returning to Rocky Boy.

He received his bachelor's degree in political science from Idaho State University and continued his education in social work at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. Upon returning to Rocky Boy with his family, his employments included Rocky Boy's School as illustrator for Cree Books written by the elders, later he was the curriculum developer. In 1986, he was the Cree language instructor at Stone Child College under President Peggy Nagel for many years. He initiated 18 Native American studies courses including Native American anthropology and more recently the Ojibwa language. He was the tribal historian and adult education instructor. Before his illness, he was adjunct professor at Montana State University-Northern at Havre for several years. His classes at MSU-Northern included Cree language, Ojibwa language and Native American beliefs and philosophy. He was also employed by the Western Heritage in preserving and documenting the Chippewa Cree history. He served as the translator for the Traditional Peace Makers of Rocky Boy, an alternative to the tribal court system. What he enjoyed the most was being in the local school systems teaching and sharing cultural knowledge to the young students in Rocky Boy schools, Box Elder schools and Havre Public Schools.

In 1989 he served as the housing improvement program director.

Lloyd's greatest contribution to the Chippewa Cree Tribe is the Chippewa Cree flag, which represent the life, philosophical beliefs, language and writing, the Grass Dance, the two chiefs, Rocky Boy and Little Bear. The flag is a description of who the Chippewa and Cree people are. Lloyd belonged to the Grass Dance Society and was an active supporter of many cultural ceremonies. Most of all, he was known for his fan-making, singing and drum-making. He carried many different types of songs ceremonial and pow-wow. He was a strong singer who composed many unique sounding songs sung by many powwow drums today. Lloyd enjoyed sharing songs, singing, laughter and storytelling of his of powwow friends. He had his own drum group The Original Rocky Boy Singers, known today as Rocky Boy Agency. Lloyd also sang with well-known singers and drum groups. The Original Mandaree Singers, Little Shell (Alfred Driver), Dead Grass Society, Porcupine Singers, Denver Singers, Old Agency Singers, Kianai Singers, Little Corner Post, Red Lake Singers, Ree Scouts, Big Bear, North Buffalo Cree, Small Boy Singers, Blackfoot Crossing, Highnoon, MGM and many other he talked about.

Lloyd is survived by his wife, Mary; children, Anika (Zane) and Samatt "Rooster" (Gina); sisters, Frances and Elaine Top Sky; and brother, Leland Top Sky Jr Slimjohn family; sister, Pearl Whitford (Raining Bird) and the Billy family, Denny family, Weasel Boy family, Parker family, Chief Goes Out family all of Rocky Boy, Four Star family of Fort Peck, Horn family, Iron Maker family of Fort Belknap, Plainfeather, Plainbull and Smart Enemy families of Pryor; Three Irons, Little Owls, House (Morning of the Fog), Gladys Jefferson family, Walks Over Ice family all of Crow, Hill family of Lodge Grass, Dennehy (Smallboy) family, Curry family, Yellow Bird family, Little Child Family, all of Hobbema; Ayoung Man Family of Siksika, Tootoosis Family of Poundmaker; adopted daughters, Rebecca "Tooky" (Poncho) Brady of New Town, North Dakota, Kaylene (Rom) Red Wolf of Hardin, Montana, Diane (Tracy) Charette of Lodge Grass, Montana; adopted son, Delvin (Raiette) Wolf of Parshall, North Dakota, Shawn Real Bird of Garryowen Montana; adopted brothers, Alfred Morsette Jr. (Jackie), of New Town North Dakota, Leonard Cozad Jr., Oklahoma, Bill (Dana) Runsabove of Frazer, Montana, Phillip Yogi Bread of Oklahoma, Dominic Cross Child of Stand Off, Alberta, Canada, Terry Johnson of Gallup, New Mexico, Lenny Beaver and brothers of Morley, Alberta, Canada, Dale, Jack, Corky and Sarge Old Horn of Dunmore, Montana, Brian Brady of Shell Creek, North Dakota. Also surviving him, close adopted and true friend Donny (June) Hamilton of Pawnee, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Pharyl and Sky, Marlin Dickenson Jr., Deo and Dea Top Sky, Skush, Rylon, Cheyenne, Jonna and Tori Brady, Tasha and Lance Shane, Starla, Shyla, Romeo Red Wolf and great-granddaughter, Kayla, Brandon and Easton Wolf. (So many relatives and friends was made throughout his life long years).

Lloyd was preceded to the other side by this father, Charlie, and mother, Eliza, Top Sky; brothers, Willis and John Top Sky; sisters, Shirley Dixey, Geneva Stump and Brenda Gardipee; adopted father, Hugh Little Owl; and adopted mother, Mary Denny.

His wake services began Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, and continued until his traditional funeral service, which was at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015. Burial will follow in the Rocky Boy Agency Cemetery. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit Lloyd's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.