Harriet (Leider) Little Owl

Harriet Leider Little Owl, age 90, passed away on January 9, 2024  in Billings, Montana. She was born December 19, 1933 in St. Xavier, a daughter of Carl and Agnes (Sits Down Spotted) Leider.  Her Indian name given to her as a child by Bird Above Iichiinooxxiassee means “brings horses clearly”.  Later on in her life she was renamed Bilitaache biakalishte “young woman of the peyote moon“ by Gary Big Hair.  She was a member of the Ties the Bundle Clan and a child of the Big Lodge.

         She received her early education in St. Xavier and attended Hardin High School. Harriet married her longtime sweetheart, Ettinge Little Owl, Jr. in 1973 and they made their home in Crow Agency, Montana.  Harriet worked to get her GED and went to secretary school. She used her new found skills to gain employment with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Harriet worked for the BIA for 30 years with land services.  She retired with her husband Ettinge in 1996.

         Harriet was a member of the Native American church.  She raised her children as Catholics and also practiced many Crow traditional ceremonies.  She also exposed her children to other religions so that they all could make their own decisions when they were grown up, such as Jehovah’s witness, Pentecostal, Baptist, and Mormon.

     Kaala always worked hard her entire life. She was one of those people who always kept herself occupied in her work. She believed whatever work you did in life should be done properly. It should be a life lesson to us all – there are no shortcuts in life. We must work hard at whatever it is we do and only then will the work feel complete.

     Kaala was always strong and humble. She did not talk about herself in a boastful manner. She did not like to show off about herself or talk big. She kept herself grounded. We all learned to be strong from her so we want to thank kaala for our strength, willpower and humility.   We will always remember that she cared for her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and anyone she knew. She had the biggest heart.

      Harriet is preceded in death by her parents, husband Ettinge Jr., her daughters, Virgileen Williamson (Dust), Virginette Williamson, Jane Fairbanks, Ginia Williamson, Rozella Leider, sons, Brandon Little Owl and Brandon Bull Tail, grandchildren, Michael “Mikey” Stops Jr., CJ Stops, great-grandson, Noah Stops, brothers, Carl Ine, Buster and  Calvin Leider, Sr., Joseph (Lorraine) Bear Cloud, Sr. and Al Smells; sisters  Lynette Nanto, Meta (Walter) Stewart, Sr., Una Rose He Does It, Margaret Leider and Susanna Three Irons.

         Survivors include her children, Dominic (Nevesa) Little Owl, Virjama (Ronnie) Flatmouth, Diane (Kennard) Real Bird, Phil (Arlinda) Segay, Wayne and Debbie Beebe, Calvin Leider, Jr., Cyrus (Annie) Leider Sr., Steven Jewett, Florian Fairbanks, John Dust, Jeff McDonald, Thomas Bad Bear, and Kristi (Lawrence) Pretty On Top, sisters, Linda Door and Carol Bulltail, adopted sister, Sadie Yazzie, brother Kenneth Spotted; grandchildren, Isaac (Jennifer), Daniel,  Johnny, Starr Stops, Catherine (Sim) Priest, Coreana, Julian Fairbanks, Martha Morrison, Summer (Enrique Franco), Annie (Darin) Plain Bull, Kera Burke, Jerry Jr. (Tarynn), Jude Pretty Weasel, Crystal (Jordan) Whiteman, Cotton (Shyla) Real Bird, Ahwasii Leider, Stephanie (Corey Hill), Evan Pretty Weasel, Isabella, Audrey, Josh (Kasey), Brandon Jr., Nicole, and Ike Little Owl, great grandchildren, Taisah, Leilah, Jaelynn, Rebecca, Bear, Azalea, Eli, Heaven, Angel, Apollo, Seneca Jr. (Princess), Janey, Robert, Jackson, Kennington (Priscilla), Keeyan (Shaunita), Mystik, Caleb, Donovan, Jessie, Abbey, Lathan, Leah, Taisha, Tian, Jaycee, Hayden, Judah, Liliou, Tyrin (Jaden), Tylee (Josiah), Tatum, Jordan Jr., Maddie, Rosabell, Skylar, Hoshkeh,  Bailey, Layla, Lizzie, Avery, Kingston and Esa’Lea; great-great grandchildren Tylen, Zaniyah, Kenzley and Georgie.  Harriet took all her sibling’s children as her own.

Her extended family include the Iron, Pretty Medicine Rock, Sits Down Spotted, Leider, Horse, Bear Cloud, and Blaine families.  Our family is very large, if we have missed you, please accept our apology in this time of grief.

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