Del Wayne First, Šahíya “Looks Like Cree”, was born to Reno First and Gladys Mazakahomani Feather, January 5th 1962 in Poplar, Montana. Del attended and graduated from the Brockton Schools and lifelong huge Brockton Warrior fan, after graduating from Brockton High School. He attended Eastern Montana College in Billings, then after returning home he attended Fort Peck Community College and received his AA in Native American Studies. He received his class 7 teaching license to teach the Dakota Language. He worked for the Fort Peck Tribes for over 30 years in various positions and most recently working for tribal enrollment and per cap distribution office. He sat on the tribal enrollment committee and was chairman of the Class 7 license committee.
He enjoyed making quilts, singing Dakota Hymns one of his favorite was Canku kin he miye No. 12. He loved traveling to Powwows and visiting with family and friends. He thought the world of his Dakota Language Voices of Our Ancestors students. He was very proud of them and thought of them as his children. He had a lot of pride and hope that his students would learn the language and pass on his teachings. He was especially proud of them when they placed first in the Language bowl in Saint Paul, MN
He is survived by his brothers Tuffy First of Fort Kipp, Eugene (Sylvia) Hale of Saint Michaels, ND, Douglas Siviney of Fort Totten, Merval “Bobo” (Audrey) Sherman of Parshall ND, and Joe (Elaine) Sherman of Fort Totten ND; Sisters, Ruth Wyasket of Fort Duchesne, UT; Special Aunts Karen First Lizotte of Poplar, Ethelene Whitehawk of Brockton, Merle and Flora Hapa, Betsy Mazawasicuna of Sioux Valley MB, Canada, Caroline Johnson of Sioux Valley MB, Canada Yvonne De Paola British Colombia ; Special Kunsi Doreen Johnson of Sioux Valley MB, Canada; Uncles Jerome (Florence) First Jr. of Poplar, Raymond Hapa of Sioux Valley, Canada; Cousins who were like brothers and sisters to him Sheri DeMarrias, Paul and Jeff Azure, Rena Otsby, Wolf Point, Denise (DJ) DeMarrias of Denver CO, Nan and Thomasine Hamilton of Poplar Patti (Chuck) Steen of Minneapolis MN; in Dakota way Hunka sister Sharon Yellow Owl of Poplar; adopted family of Sadie Adams of Wolf Point; Adopted Sisters Lovina Fox of Mandaree ND, Connie Fox Twins of Stillwater OK,; Special Adopted Brother Stevie White of Crow Agency, MT, Steven Barrios of Browning MT; Adopted sisters Lucille Stewart of Lodge Grass MT, Renea Hawley of Billings MT; 2 special cousins, who cared deeply for him and were first to offer help Pricilla Carpenter and Sissy Chopper Nephew Corey Schindler of Wolf Point, Brett First of Fort Duchesne, UT, Kendell First OF Brandon, MB And Kristy Sherman of New Town ND.
He is preceded in death by his parents Reno First and Gladys Mazakahomani Feather of Fort KIpp; paternal grandparents, Nina and Jerome First Sr; maternal grandparents Henry Mazakahomani Feather and Jessie Demarrias; Brother Wayne First; Sister Lois Ann Mazakahomani Feather; Great Kunsi Sarah White; uncles, Dean First, Calvin First, Sr., Abe DeMarrias Sr., Casper DeMarrias; and uncle who he was named after, Wayne DeMarrias; Adopted Sister Georgia Fox of Mandaree ND, Adopted mother Ada White of Crow Agency, MT Adopted Mother Germaine Fox of Mandaree ND, Aunts, Wilma First, Christine First, Winfred First Greybull, Mildred DeMarrias, and Vicky Spotted Bull Azure.
The families of the Perry, Black Dog, Four Bear, Mckay, Wasicuna and White Eagles were his close relatives. He also had many relatives in Sioux Valley, Canumpa Wakpa, Canada, and Fort Totten, ND. If we forgot anyone please forgive us.
Carlos J BuckElk | Dallas TX says
Very sad to hear of Del Wayne’s passing.
Condolences to the entire family.
James BigHorn says
PRAYERS FOR THE FAMILY.
mary follette says
Condolences to the family, i was shocked, we were just talking the day before, i enjoyed our visits.
Lissa Wettlin says
Ima miss you brother. Love you always. Prayers too the family. ❤️?? we will always be thinking of you. ~
Dreamis Eagle Boy says
Our Deepest Condolences to the Family of Del First… Prayers of much needed Strength at this time.
Cissy &Chasidy Eagleman says
Prayers of comfort and understanding for all Family & Friends of Del.
And prayers for the days to come.
Suzanne Greenhaw Fox says
My sincerest condolences to Del’s family.
The Grey Bear Family says
Condolences to the Tokaheya Tiwahe our prayers are with you at this time Fly high our relative Del God Bless
Pauline Azure-Feuvray says
Del will be another one of God’s angels in heaven. We will miss you coming to Crow Fair but maybe your spirit will visit us there. God bless you and your family
BLOSSOM LONGEE says
I Was saddened and shocked to hear of Del’s passing. My sincere condolences to Tuffy and the rest of the family. Del was a true friend and a amazing, talented man. I’m gonna miss our talks and his kindness. May he rest in peace. Fly high with the rest of the Angels Del.
Ken says
Still in shock! Prayers to family—Kenny Heathman
Russell & Francine Boxer says
Our condolences to Tuffy & the family. We are so sorry for your loss Del was such a special friend & relative he will be deeply missed. He always had words of wisdom. God bless you all and take care.
Russell & Francine Boxer
Melberta Eagleman says
Our condolences from the Eagleman family.
Rhonda Mason says
Rest In Peace koda. Pidaymya for teaching the language and caring for the kids. You were always kind and considerate. Prayers for family and friends who will miss you.
Rose Morsette says
Sending our condolences to Tuffy & Family,
Diana Jonson-Roulette says
Sincerest condolences to my relatives family and friends, Del we will miss you greatly but rejoice as you start your final journey. Thoughts and prayers to family during this difficult time, we humbly ask ate wakan tanka for strength, for the family and friends left behind.Toshta ake waunkichiyapikte, han midakiya owas.
Till we meet again.
Neroy N.Friday says
Im very sorry to hear of Dels Passing. I will always keep him in my heart an in memory. I loved Del like an Uncle. R.i.p. Del. My Condolences to Uncle Tuffy! Love you an be strong.
Carolyn Adams says
Myself and Buddy’s sincere condolences to the family.
Deb Madison says
Cuzin Del, may you be surrounded by everything u love in your new home, we’ll miss you here at this one!
Heather McKay says
Sincere condolences to Del’s family. My prayers and thoughts are with you at this time. Journey well mi toshka…toshta ake
Donna Black Dog says
My sincere condolences to Del family. I Will miss his humor and laughter. Your knowledge in our Sioux language will live on thru the students you have taught. Prayers for comfort and blessings.
Susan Clark says
Prayers to the Del Wayne First family. I remember when he would come to the farm to visit with his Mom Christine. I saw him a few years ago and had a nice visit. Hadn’t seen him since High school I believe. Nice guy. Rest in Peace.
Susan (Anderson) Clark.
michelle moccasin says
Prayer for comfort and healing for his family ….sad
Evetta Two Bulls says
Our heartfelt condolences to the family. He will be miss by many ?. Continued prayers for comfort and strength during this most difficult time.
Wayne and Evetta Two Bulls
Nanette StrangeOwl says
My condolences to the families of Del. I’m so sorry Tuffy.
Rain Turcotte says
Prayers and thoughts go out there Del’s family during this difficult time. He was always in a good mood and had a great sense of humor.
Verbena Savior Jackson says
Prayers and condolences to tuffy and Dels family.
Brian GreyBull says
Praying for comfort for the family! Our most sincere and deepest condolences
Florence Garcia says
Will miss Del and his teachings. He was such a good man who cherished the language. Resr in peace my friend.
Geneva Seaboy says
My condolences. I am glad was able to sit and talk to him in dakota. A great loss for our language n culture.
Gay & Brian Pennington says
It broke my heart when I got the paper and read that Del past away. I’ll miss my visited with him when I come home too Poplar. My condolences to his family and relatives. He had a good heart and always made me laugh when we got together. May god bless you all and I’ll keep his memories in my heart. (Gay Stephanie-Paulson) Pennington
Helen M. First says
I can not believe Del passed away. I am still in shock here in Arizona. I wish I knew when this happened, my family and I would have been there. Love you Del. Now you are with dad Reno and my dad Dean. Love you Tuffy. I just found out today, June 24th.
Shmuel Aharon [Stephan] Rockwerk says
My heart hurts ,,my Prayers cry out for you my brother Just came to your FB page wondering why I haven’t heard from you!Always thought one day you would visit me in Tzfat Israel and together we would go to Jerusalem! I too will miss you. Much Love!] You taught me much, and set me on the path to learn my own cultures as result I live herein Israel! thank you!
Shmuel Aharon