Braden Dale Falls Down

On December 27, 2024, our precious baby boy, Braden Dale Falls Down mounted his prized horse and rode home to be with Jesus.

Iicheen Itchiidah Akine (rides outstanding horses), his Crow name given by maternal grandfather Tim Real Bird. Braden Dale Falls Down was born on September 25, 2024 to parents Brendan and Pixie (Real Bird) Falls Down and big brother Isiah and sister Presley. He was a member of the Big Lodge and Child of the Ties the Bundle clans. Brendan named his son in the likeness of his own as well as his middle name, Dale, from his paternal grandfather Clifton, symbolically as in biblical times when a son earned the inheritance of their father. Paternal Kaale Val reflected that she and her husband both also shared similar Crow names regarding horse culture as Braden’s Crow name was inspired by his maternal great grandfather, the late Charlie Real Bird’s legacy.

A descendant of prominent Crow Leaders; Medicine Crow, Onion, Medicine Tail, WhitemanRunshim, Bird Hat, Bell Rock, Plainfeather and Long Otter, Braden was a natural born warrior. At the tender age of two weeks old he successfully underwent surgery with his mom at his side. Fortunate to be born into a family that believes that all things are connected, sacred and the mystery of our Father in heaven, Braden was baptized shortly after birth. Relatives near and far formed prayer groups, sweat lodges were built to pray for his recovery and in that collective faith, he persevered.

Following a good health report, Braden was welcomed home to Real Bird Loop where he spent the next three months surrounded in the love of his family. Mom and dad affectionately tended to his every need, feeding him, swaddling him and giving him his warm daily bath which he enjoyed  often smiling and splashing the water with his feet. “Pooh Bear” (sister Presley) would kiss him on the forehead as she adored her little brother. Big brother Isiah would watch the movie Mr. Peabody and Sherman with both Pooh Bear and Braden and sing their special song, Beautiful Boy. Pop Pop Tim would lovingly carry his grandson in his arms every morning while watching the news and drinking his coffee. On a family outing he was able to support kaale Kloe’s basketball game with the Plenty Coups Lady Warriors.

The family was grateful throughout this holiday season and gave praise to God that Braden could join them at the family table during Thanksgiving. They recall when he gave his first laughter in the presence of Gammy Gaynell on Christmas Eve. Kaale Great, Mary, recalled enjoying his smile and the wonder in his eyes on Christmas Day. Gammy gifted her grandson “Moopie Man” as she affectionately called him, his first Bible and she would read the Word to him and sing songs of worship, with Braden cooing back as if in response to scripture.   

His brief time on earth taught his family unconditional love, laughter and the deepest of faith through the valleys of life. Their walk with God was strengthened in this most precious time for it was truly a miracle that Pixie and Braden survived the birth. His innocence brought his family together as their whole world revolved around him protecting him from the world in the sanctuary of life at home.

Gammy’s Dream: I dreamt of heaven, the pools filled with the most beautiful water. A boy was sitting across from me, he was smiling, he told me, “Look Gammy, I don’t only play one instrument, I get to play two.” And this boy brought forth a flute and a clarinet type instrument and began to play, the music was the most incredible music I ever heard”.

Mom and dad reflect on the hardships his health created in his life and in passing can see that life happens when you’re busy making plans. Plans to see a boy become a man, to walk in the ways of the warriors and horsemen that came before him, yet his body could not. 2 Timothy 4:7 says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”. What an honor to have witnessed the life of such a beautiful baby boy, too wonderful for this world.

Walk in the Presence of the Lord my son, ride the greatest of paint horses, until we meet again.

Braden was preceded in death by uncle; Steven Falls Down, great- grandparents; Charlie Real Bird, Jack Edmo, Pius Real Bird, Richard Real Bird, Wayne Moccasin, Starr Not Afraid Jr., Ruth Falls Down, Berylene DeCrane, Joyce DeCrane, Ronald Falls Down, Robert Falls Down Jr, Clayton Falls Down, Gwendolyn Falls Down, Great grandmothers; Elizabeth White, Diane Russell, Great-Great-Great Grandparents; Charles DeCrane and Gladys Bird Hat, Elias Hugs, Bill Russell, Josephine Pease Russell.

He is survived by parents, Brendan and Pixie (Real Bird) Falls Down. Brothers; Isiah, Jace (Laura) Real Bird, Kicyn Youngrunningcrane, Justin Hugs, Charlie & Lorenzo Falls Down. Sisters; Presley, Kylee’onna Youngrunningcrane, Emma Spotted Eagle. Charly, Tyree & Micayla White Clay, Taylar, Kimberleigh, Abigail Falls Down. Grandparents; Tim & Gaynell Real Bird, Clifton & Valerie (Not Afraid) Falls Down. Great Grandmothers; Ramona Real Bird, Karen Kipp, Mary DeCrane. Uncles; Wayman, Cole & Isaiah Falls Down, Aunts; Terraine (Kyle) Spotted Eagle, Lyndie Edmo, Jessi (Micah) White Clay, SieAnna and Aspen Real Bird, Kayleah Cummins, Nathanna Whiteman, Darwina Knowsground, Tamara Armajo. Nephews; Jarik & Kian Real Bird. Niece Kendalyn Real Bird. Great Grandfathers; Woodrow Plainfeather, Curtis & Barry Real Bird, Corn Little Light, Elias (Theodine) Jr. & LT (Tammy) Hugs, Gary (Agnes) Gardner, Reuben (Christine), Ellsworth (Pauline), Lawrence (Martha) DeCrane, Marvin Falls Down Sr., Marlin (Reva), Garland & Leslie Not Afraid, Bruce White, Sr. Grandfathers; Shawn (Lynelle) Real Bird, Shawn Kipp, Kordell (Tiara) Cummins, Gordon, Jimmy, Kennard, Henry, Lanny Real Bird, Gary (Jolene) Birdinground, Sampson (Veronica) DeCrane. Great Grand Mothers;  Margo Real Bird, Majel & Angela Russell, Sharon Stands, Beldine Small, Clara Bell Hugs, Mimi Real Bird, Loretta Johnson, Joyce & Lana Moccasin, Helen Crooked Arm, Lena & Ella Beth Little Light, Janice (Leo) Hudetz, Althea, Rachel, Angie DeCrane, Blanche (Carl) Goes Ahead, Jennifer (James) Medicine Horse, Georgine Falls Down, Rebecca Falls Down, Veronica (Haywood Jr.) Big Day, Barbara Bacon, Francine Amyotte, Paulette & Marilyn Not Afraid, Arvilla Fly. Grandmother’s; Nicole Real Bird, Kloe Cummins, Birdie, Virginia “Girl”, Rhea, Natalie Real Bird, Suzanne Iron, Leslie, Rolanda Plain Feather, Tanya (Stuart) Gardner, Rosabeth (Cotton) Real Bird, Bethany Bell Rock,

Extended family; Real Bird, Edmo, Kipp, Hugs, Pease, Russell, Morrison, Backbone, Bloodman, Other Medicine, Medicine Tail, Medicine Crow,  Pretty on Top, Bird, Birdinground, Plain Feather, Whitemanrunshim, Medicine Tail, Lorraine Moccasin Family, Martha Little Light family, the Late Louise Three Irons Family, Pickett, Decrane, Goes Ahead, the Late Josephine Whiteman Family, the Late Rose Turns Plenty Family, Other Black Bird, Flatmouth, Flatlip, Medicine Horse and the late Arvilla Plain Bull Family.

Our Family is large and if in the time of this unexpected sorrow if we have forgotten anyone, please forgive us.

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