Ryland Turan Bird

Ryland Turan Bird was given the Crow name “Suua’he’ele xape’ “ by the late Buster Leider, meaning “Lays Down Among The Thunder”. He passed away on March 23, 2026, in Fresno, CA, at the age of 52. 

Ryland was born on November 16, 1973, in Crow Agency, MT, to Adrian Bird Sr. and his late mother Kathleen Dawes. He carried his name, his roots, and his spirit with him throughout his life, no matter where he was. Ryland was proud of who he was and where he came from. In 1989, Ryland came home in the summer to participate in his first Sundances at Reno Creek; the next year, he participated in the Sundances at Pryor and did so for four years. His grandmother, Mary Black Eagle, would prepare his Sundance skirts and dance with him.

Ryland will be remembered for the love he had for his family, the connections he built, and the presence he brought into every room. He touched many lives in his own way, and those who knew him will carry his memory in their hearts. He will be deeply missed and never forgotten. Ryland was a lifetime 49ers fan.

Ryland is preceded in death by his Mother, Kathleen Dawes; his Grandmothers, Regina Goes Ahead-WalksOverIce, Nora Fighter, Jane Moccasin-Fighter, and Mary Lucy Little Light-Fighter; Grandfathers, Larry Ambrose Dawes, Hartford Black Eagle Sr., and Richard Bird; his Aunties, Marilyn Black Eagle and Loretta Bird Bouyer; his Uncles, Sonny LaGrant Black Eagle, Gary Bird Sr. and Darrell Little Light; his Brother Cousins, Gareth Reed, Aubrey Black Eagle Sr., Shann Nomee and John Fighter; his Sister, Coretta Fighter; his Nephew, Tanner Black Eagle; and his Baby Nieces, Angel Rose and Laila Bird. 

Survivors include his Father, Adrian Bird Sr.; his Daughter, Sunny Rose (Isaiah) Venegas; his Son, Chayce Quintana; his precious Grandsons, River Gray, Bennett and Thomas; his precious Granddaughters, Aurora, Elladee, Kayleah, SaRayna, Sariah, and Kai’lana; his Sisters, Shonna (David) Walks, Charity (Paul) Pryor Jr., Leona (Ty) Fischer, Ashley Bird, and Teri Little Light Morning Brien; his Brother, Adrian Bird Jr.; Nieces and Nephews, Adree Shield, MJ (Emily) Shield, Ambrose Turan (Emily) Big Lake, Aaliyah Big Lake, Tiara and George Walks, Cordell (Janessa) Bird, Marquel, Lakota, Adreyelle, Sioux, Issitchiio Bird, Tobin and Talan Cummins, Treston, Tadrian, Camdon Cole, Layla Pretty Weasel, Zoey and Noree Fischer; his Grandfathers, Chief (Mary Helen) Medicine Horse, Curtis (Honey Bun) Medicine Horse, Larry (Pearl) Tobacco, and Dana Tobacco; his Grandmothers, Mary Black Eagle, Delma Yarlott, Linda Covers Up, Sarah (Tilton) Old Bull, Agnes Joy Parrish, Lana Mountain Sheep, Genie Alden, Theda and Faye Medicine Horse; his Uncles, Cedric (Audrey) Black Eagle, Hartford (Dinah) Black Eagle Jr., Brad (Billie Kay) Black Eagle, Ronnie (Virjama) Flatmouth, Larry Little Owl Jr., Larny and Solomon Little Owl, Carl (Blanche) Goes Ahead, Miles (Rochelle) Fighter, Solon Moccasin, Duwayne (Linda) Birdinground; his Aunties, MaryRuth (Danny) Plain Feather, Tina Black Eagle, Ada Bends, Melvina Dawes, Carlene and Gloria Goes Ahead, Carlene (Gary) Johnson, Cheryl (Levi) Yellowmule, Bertha Black Eagle, Janelle Little Light, Teri (Les) Thomas, Michelle M. Moccasin, Mandy (Danny) Plain Feather, Lynna (Shawn) Smith, Geneva and Germaine Black Eagle, Jeralyn (Joey) Pretty On Top, Vanessa, Philamine, and Angie Spint, Reva (Marlon) Not Afraid, Lavonna (Curtis) RealBird, Janice Sun Goes Slow, Denice Hill, Regina (Leonard) Bends, Susan Whiteshirt, Gema Stewart, Sharolyn Nomee, Loreen (Myron) Crooked Arm, Bobbi Sox WalksOverIce, Twyla (Wesley) Birdinground-Stewart Sr., Nora Bird, Freida Nomee, Jennifer and Rebecca Jefferson; his Sister Cousins, Chrislyn (Marlon) Red Star, Garilyn and Natasha Reed, Misty (Tom) Nagel, Wendy Nomee, Maranda Black Eagle, Ariana Nomee, Angelina Bird, Lanita Black Eagle, Debra and Elizabeth Black Eagle, Nyla and NaLayna Melendrez, Natasha and Katelyn Goes Ahead, Kylee Red Wolf, Nina Bouyer, Adree (Barry) Whiteman, and Brenna Yellowmule; his Brother Cousins, Chester (Jonalea) Nomee Jr., Travis (Wilena) Reed, Randall Black Eagle, Dylan (Cora) Black Eagle, Levi (Brocade) Black Eagle, Brant Black Eagle, VP Nomee, Larele Black Eagle, Wacey (Tawni) Black Eagle, Cyle Black Eagle, Bob and Scotty Dawes, Joe Goes Ahead, Bruce Goes Ahead Jr., Clement (Micah) Goes Ahead, Clavin Herrera, Brenner Yellowmule, Shawn Fitzpatrick and Cal WalksOverIce; and Ryland’s Best Friends from Fresno, CA, Desiree and Gerardo Rice.

Ryland was a decendant of: Chief Pretty Eagle, Dawes, Iron, WalksOverIce, Medicine Horse, FogInTheMorning, House, Bear Claw, Sarah High Nose Stewart, Other Medicine, Birdinground, Pretty Paint, Black Hawk, Old Crow, Lucy Real Bird family, Laura Singer family, Bird, Bompard, Fighter, HeDoesIt, Don’t Mix, Hugs, Big Hair, Good Horse and Smart Enemy.

The family would like to thank two Medical Centers for taking such good care of our brother Ryland: Covenant Post Acute Care Center, Fresno, CA, and Clovis Community Medical Center, Clovis, CA.

Ryland’s family is large; if we have forgotten anyone, the family apologizes.

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