Bernardine Patricia Cummins Real Bird

Bernardine Patricia Cummins Real Bird, 71 of Wyola, Montana Entered the gates of heaven on July 4, 2023. Bassáannee Ahó, Leads Many Times, A name that was given to her by her maternal grandmother Polly Grey Bull Cummins. Bernardine was a member of the Sore Lip Clan and a child of the Piegan. She was born on March 17, 1952 in Billings, Montana. The first-born daughter of Bernard and Gloria (Goes Ahead) Cummins, Sr. She grew up in the Binneeta “No Water” area where she spent her early years with her mother and father. Her father taught her about horsemanship and she often rode into the Bighorn Mountains with her dad and brothers. She owned a stud horse, which eventually lead to owning her own herd. Riding horses brought her peace and joy. She loved and enjoyed spending time with all her family in the No Water (Binneeta) and Pryor (Baapua) areas, treasuring the love and teachings of her grandparents.

She received her education from Lodge Grass High School. Later attending Little Bighorn College, and Eastern Montana College in Billings MT. 

She married Gordon Real Bird Sr. October 19, 1968, at Lodge Grass Catholic Church. The wedding was perceived as a very grand and well attended celebration for the times. She was a zealous Basketball fan. She supported and followed her husband’s career of 5-State Championships, the first Lodge Grass girls X-country State Championship, along with her son with a 3-peat State Championships. She would often tell of her daughters Patricia winning 2-Cross Country State Championships and daughter Polly with a State Championship in X-Cross Country and Girls Basketball at Tongue River High School. She respectively filled the motherly role through out her husbands career. Always offering a prayer and a meal and a place to stay. She loved, supported, and cheered them on.

She valued the importance of prayer. Learning by example from her Papa John Cummins and her maternal grandmother Sara Goes Ahead Pretty. She walked in scripture; I will meet your needs according to his riches in glory through Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19. She stood on the word “come as you are, so that you may have abundant life”. When you receive the Holy Spirit, you will see the kingdom of Heaven. She was a praying woman and a generous person who cared for her family.  She made sure that all her children knew Jesus Christ and were filled with the Holy Spirit. Her daily prayers included that all her children receive their college degrees. Her prayers were answered when all her children finished including her eldest daughter receiving her PHD, Dr. Rana Real Bird-Amyotte. 

She was a dedicated christian woman. While upholding her values as a Crow woman. She outfitted numerous sisters-in-law along with her daughter in law. 

She loved to read her Bible and she was often called upon for prayer. She loved beading, sewing, woodwork, and cooking. Most of all she loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She followed and supported them in all their sports events such as basketball, rodeo, Indian relay, arrow tournaments, x-country, and academics events. Her favorite hobbies include basketball games, going to the movies, pow wow, hand games, Sundance, peyote, sweat lodge. She saw good in all cultural events. Bernardine lived life to the fullest, and has traveled more than most would ever dream. Throughout her travels she made many friends, new family, and life long acquaintances. She was the matriarch of her family and will be missed dearly.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years Gordon Real Bird Sr. and children Dr. Rana (Steve) Amyotte Jr., Gordon (Crystal) Real Bird, Jr., Patricia (Bryson) Rogers, Polly (Isaac) Yarlott, Callie (Sonny) Bouyer, Tristan Real Bird, Thomas Fire Bear, Jessica Fire Bear. Heather (Bobby) Morrison, her eldest Granddaughter whom she raised as her own.

Grandchildren: Tanner, Tonna and Diamond Amyotte. Legend, Sierra, Ernest, TaNeel, Shailee, Shakoya, and Sacred Real Bird. Elijah (Kylee), Tayze, Kevee, and Madison Rogers.  KylerCash, Taos, Legacy, Juddson, Stratler Yarlott. Lexyn, Tate, Chet and MaKenna Bouyer. 

Great grandchildren: Trent, Koen, Kado Morrison. Courage and Hosteen Amyotte. Ah’marie, Koyleigh, Willow Bastien, Credence Two leggins, Atlas Jefferson and Kyson Rogers.

Taken her as a mother: John(Angie), Thomas(Audrie) Cummins, Cresentia Cummins, Terri anna(Pierce)Big left Hand, Helen Caplett, Misti (Jay) Old Coyote, Sonny LaRance, Santana, Wahela Castro, Chuck Hunter, Becky and Brenda Graham, Lee and Kym Becenti, Althea (Aaron) Yarlott and Poncho (Rebecca) Bright Wings. Mema and JR Boyd, Krissy Billy, and Robert Hugs. 

Siblings: Latonna (Sharon) Old Elk, Barney, Leroy Cummins, Alda Good Luck, Polly (Manuel) Chase, George (Julie) Cummins, Father Randolph, Valerie, Bobbaleen Brien, Vernon (Mimi), Harold (Danetta), Larry Brien, Darrel(Barbara), Larry Bright Wings, Henrietta(James) Takes Horse, Maria(Jerry) Pease, and Flavina ( Kirby) Bromley.

Maternal Aunts- Agnes (Larry) Pretty Weasel, Josephine, Almira, and Mary Wall. 

Mother In-law - Margo Real Bird

Preceded in Death by her parents Bernard and Gloria Goes Ahead Pretty Cummins. Paternal grandparents John and Polly Grey Bull Cummins.  Maternal Grand Parents George and Sarah Bull that Shows Goes Ahead Pretty and Bill and Alma Wall. Sisters- Michelle Cummins-Driftwood. Brothers- Victor Fire Bear, Johnny Boy Cummins, jr. Aunts- Mary Dawes, Rose Turns Plenty, Josephine Whiteman, Beulah Stewart, Charlene LaVerdure, Anna Bear Cloud, Verlie Half, Brothers-David Turns Plenty Sr., Thomas and Charlie De Crane, Clem, Carty and Vincent Goes Ahead Pretty and nephews: James Cummins, Ruben Jefferson, nieces: Levon Driftwood, and Gloria Plenty Buffalo. In-laws: Pius and Cordelia Real Bird.

Bernardine loved all her nieces and nephews, especially Casey (Tana) Cummins, Lawrence (Martha), Ruben (Christine) DeCrane who was dear to her. She also loved teasing her brothers-in-laws. 

Her lifetime best friends Rachel Three Irons (Corky) Old Horn and Beverly Grey Bull (Dennis)Huber. 

She was rich in family and loved them. On her maternal side she had 75 first cousins and her paternal she had 13 first cousins.

Our extended family includes Cummins, Goes Ahead Pretty, DeCrane, Wall, Humphrey, Morrison, Jefferson, Hugs, Bear Cloud, Old Horn, Bull Chief, House, Big Medicine, Bull Horse, Charges Strong-Wilson, Plainfeather, Lion Shows, Rock Above, Caplett, Plainbull, Bends, Old Crane, Big Hail, Plenty Buffalo, Red Wolf, Smith, Good Bear, Fox, Eastman, Brien, Grey Bull, Small, Alden, Big Lake. Her in-laws Real Bird, Moccasin, Little Light, Medicine Tail, and Yellowmule, Brass, Otter, Stays in the Water, Star, and Bull Shows families. Our Family is large if we have missed anyone, please accept our apology.  

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