Tina Cline

Tina Marie Cline, 60 of Black Lodge went home to be with the Lord on Friday October 1st, 2021. Chiwakii Isitcheesh (Loves to Pray) a name given to her by Grandma Fannie Stewart-Whiteclay. She was born on July 16th, 1961, to Ruth M. Gardner in Crow Agency, MT. She was a member of the Greasy Mouth Clan and child of the Greasy Mouth and descendant of Chief Pretty Eagle.

In 1968, her mom and siblings moved to Seattle, Washington where she graduated from Ballard High School. Soon after high school, she attended Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI) in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Thereafter, she returned to Seattle and graduated from Griffin Community College with a Business Degree in Accounting. Her professional career began at the United Tribes of All Indians Foundation creating research on tobacco use used on native children which covered all tribes within Washington, Montana, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota, this endeavor was in conjunction with Columbia University. Tina was the founder and organizer of the 1st annual SeaFair Pow-Wow. While extending her career in Seattle, she was a tremendous organizer within the Native Community in Washington organizing basketball tournaments, pow-wows, and youth programs. She returned home back to Crow Country in the year 1996. She was selected by the Clifford Birdinground Administration as director of the Economic Development Department, establishing the foundation and research for the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategic Plan. While employed by the Crow Tribe, she was also the director of the Crow Tribe Shelter Program. She further expanded her expertise with the state of Montana as a grant writer, administrator for the InCare Network. Tina later became the consultant and bookkeeper for her brothers’ company, Crooked Arm Construction which she was very proud.

Soon after establishing a well professional career and becoming a well-known scholar, Tina went into self-retirement minimizing her skill assisting her brother’s company. She gave her life to God and devoted her spirit to the Christian faith. Tina traveled to Israel twice in her lifetime praying at the wailing wall, being baptized in the river Jordan, anointed with the dirt from the tomb of Jesus Christ, walked the holy steps of our Savior and invoked the humble peace from the holy land. Upon her return, she fasted on top of Gas Cap Hill numerous times praying for family, friends, and all walks of life. She was deemed a modern-day evangelist among the Christian faith and at one time, a stranger described her as a unique special individual, a person who could channel directly into the spirit realm, the holy spirit’s blessings at her availability. She became the rock of the family and the individual to turn too when prayer was needed. She loved all her family and acknowledged them wherever she went. She loved her entire family so much; she compiled the first family tree of Chief Pretty Eagle descendants. She compiled the family tree into a book, so everyone knew who they were related too. At a young age, Grandma Fannie and Martha Whiteclay took Tina and passed the mantle to her of how to pray as handed down from Nellie Pretty Eagle-Stewart.

Tina is proceeded in death by, her son, baby Michael Cline; mother Ruth Gardner; Sisters, Laurie-Ann Doney, Crystal Gardner and Nellie Ruth Gardner; ; Brothers, Carl Dean Crooked Arm, Mark Lira and William (Billy John) Gardner; Niece, Ruthie Martinez; Aunts, Wilhelmina Gardner, Mary Three Irons, Bertha Old Bull, and Alfredine Old Crane; Grandmothers, Pricilla Stewart-Gardner, Alice Mae Whiteclay-Laforge, Martha Whiteclay, Fannie Stewart-Whiteclay, Margaret Spotted Horse and Delores Wagner Grandfathers, Frank, Johnny, David, Reuben, and Donald Stewart, Vernon, Guy, Harold, and Phillip Whiteclay, William Gardner Sr. and Isaac Shane Sr.; his uncle William “Butch” Gardner, Jr.

Survivors include: Adopted mother, Agnes-Joy Mazie Parrish; Daughter; Laura (Sebastian Seminole) Gomez; Adopted Son, Duane Garvais, L J Bear Below, Thomas Blackbird, Lemuel and Zeven Kills Pretty Enemy Sister’s, Billie (Hubert) Two Leggins, Sherri-Lou Laforge, Berdina (Bill Stops) Stewart, Susan Whiteshirt, Donna Howe, Crystal Rene (George) Martinez, Pam Wagner, Patleen, Loretta, Jessica, Donna, Ruby, Rachel and Roberta Stewart, Barbara (Kenneth) Spotted, Almeda (Dean) Good Luck, Zenna Venne, Miriam Shane, Frankie (Pat) Kindness, Norma (Dominic) Yellowmule, Vandy (Allison) Bouyer, Linda Stands, Cheryl Hugs, Pricilla Magdalynn Gardner, Pricilla Martinez and Elaine (James) Kindness; Aunts, Nellie (McArthur) Silverhorn, Sandra Grant, Rita Shane; Grandmothers, Dorcella Little Light, Wilma (Lawrence) Stands, Beverly Pretty On Top, Veronica Whiteclay, Gail Iron, Ardith (Clifford) Birdinground; Brothers, Stewart (Angie) Martinez, Vincent (Jewel) Crooked Arm, Christian (Angie) Takes Gun-Parrish, Tony Parrish, Ryan Silverhorn, Gerald Wagner Harold, Vernon (Kathy) Diggs, Wesley, Donald Jr., Donald III (Cynthia), Robert (Tina), David Jr., Dennis (Vianna), CJ (Tara), and Jared (Nikki) Stewart, Kenny (Mitzi) Pretty On Top, Groover Deputee and Adrian Stands; Uncles, Thomas Gardner, Isaac (Rosella) Shane Jr. Nieces and Nephews, Sereatha (Jason) Kills Pretty Enemy, Nicole (Robert) Old Coyote, Sariah(Frank Hugs Jr.) Two Leggins, Son-Son, Jalen, Khylah, Dai, Noel Two Leggins, Marc, Renee Crooked Arm, Robert, Addie and Princess Martinez, Neecho, Leah Goodall, Cherlee Iron Horse and Johnny Whiteshirt; Grand Children, Enson, Jaycee, Kason, Jailee, Leandro, Lacey, Marley, Canyon, Cedar, Fontaine, Creedance, and Sacred; Special friends, Verlie Hill-Morgan, Elna Blackhawk, Lynn Brenan, Helen & David Garcia-Hawk, Janet Schunkamolash, Joyce Kitson, Mary Thom, Mildred Carpenter and all her friends in bible study and in the Christian faith.

Extended Families include; Stewart, Whiteclay, Gardner, Shane, Spotted Horse, Holds the Enemy, Medicine Crow, Iron, Ten Bear, Fighter, WhitemanRunsHim and descendants of Chief Pretty Eagle. Forgive us if we have forgotten anyone during our time of bereavement.

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