Barbara Jane Swift Eagle Birdsbill, “Wawokiya winyan” Helps Others Woman, 86, of Wolf Point, Montana passed away on December 3rd, 2023 in Browning, Montana. Barbara was born January 18,1937 in Poplar, Montana to Daniel Swift Eagle and Lucy Bow. Barbara was raised in Hogan Yutapi community, Ft.Kipp Montana, raised by her grandmother Agnes, great grandmother See’s End of Horn, Sterling and Mamie Red Eagle who also raised her brothers William and Alfred.
Barbara was an enrolled member of the Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux tribes and a member of the Church of Latter-day Saints in Wolf Point, MT. In 1953 she met Verdell Birdsbill, they married in Wolf Point, MT. They had three children: Carmen Dale, Colleen Ann and Charlene Kay. Barbara worked various jobs; she was a waitress at the Triangle Café, Huskies Diner, Jessi Supperclub, Ft. Peck Tribal gun factory, Bureau of Youth Services, Ft. Peck Tribal commodity office and she also served 5 terms on Ft. Peck Tribal Council from 1993-2003. She retired in 2003.
Barbara was a fluent speaker of her Sioux Language and also a founder of the Silver Wolf Casino along with Earlena Azure, Sonny Bill Whitehead, George (Fish) Redstone and Murle Lucas.
Barbara enjoyed playing bingo, gambling, playing machines, watching Carmen and her grandchildren play sports. Barbara is survived by her daughters Colleen Birdsbill, Linda Weeks, Lois Weeks, sister Mary High Eagle, Gloria Garcia. Grandchildren: Tamara Birdsbill, Benjamin Reddies, Loni Birdsbill-Grant, Courtney Reddies, Elizabeth Birdsbill, Emorie Healy-Garfield, Daniel (Bushie) Healy and Margaret , McCormick, great grandchildren: Bailey Wippert, Avery Birdsbill, Christien Birdsbill, Tade Wallette, Maebelle Reddies, Easton Grant, Ricco Mays, Rebel Mays, RyDell Mays, LaKealah Mays, Karmyn Plain Feather, Heavenly Ellis, Brycen Healy, Madrox Healy, Huntly Garfield, Maxine Garfield, Great-great grandchildren Maverik Wippert and Yara Wallette. Special friends: Silvia Ryan, Judy Bow and Sadie Hamilton, Gary Clark and Bj Johnson.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Verdell Birdsbill, son Carmen Birdsbill, daughter Charlene Birdsbill, her parents Daniel Swift Eagle, Lucy Bow, brothers William Swift Eagle, Alfred Swift Eagle, grandmother Agnes, great grandmother Sees-End-Of-Horn, Elizabeth (Mary Ann) Grey Bull and Nellie Silk.
She was known as Grama Barb in the community, she was everyone’s grandma. She will be missed by all.
Condolences for the family may be left using the form below.
Fred McGeshick, Jr. says
Condolences, prayers and love for the Birdsbill family losing a beautiful lady!!! She always gave me good advice and talked about our days with her son, Carmen. Rest in Shalom, Mrs. Birdsbill.
Pauline Azure feuvray says
Praying for the family.
Deborah L Balch Ricker says
Asking My Creator for Strength, Support, Comfort and Love for Barbara’s Family, Friends and Loved Ones…Colleen My Best Good Friend I know there are no words of comfort just know I Love YOU…Your MoM was an Amazing Woman Who Will Be Missed
Agnes Moran says
Condolences to you and your family. So sorry to hear of her passing. Your mom was such a nice person. I remember working with her many years ago at the Husky truck stop and cafe. I was only 19 and she was 24. We had so much fun and she was always making us laugh with her funny stories. Will miss her visits. My prayers are with you and your family. God bless you all. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Rhonda M. says
Dear Barbra, I will miss our visits. Whenever we meet we could visit about anything and every thing. You were an interesting, sincere washte wiya. Will miss you, but know you are with our Creator and relatives…visiting with them:) prayers of comfort for your family.
The Buck Elk Family | Ft Kipp MT says
Condolences to the families.
David & Chong Ae Boyd says
Colleen and family:
Had a lot of good laughs with your mom and grandma. She would always come and have tea/coffee with Tater and me. We did a lot of research for her and would always come to us for a second opinion.
She said they would always ask her where you learn that or who told you that, she would always tell them my elders, ask or listen to them. Then she would say you guys are my elders and laugh.
When I heard she passed away, I could hear her laugh.
She would always say you guys know what they did now.
I always called her cousin and looked to her like a big sister.
I can’t make services I have an appointment.
She knew she could always count on me for anything.
She one of God’s gifts to us.
Prayers for you and the rest of the family.
Jerry says
Bless you, Barbara. Thank you for everything. We are praying for Colleen, Ben, Ricco, and all of the wonderful Birdsbill and Swift Eagle family members and dear friends.
Anonymous says
My condolences and prayers to family and friends. Thank you Barbra for your kindness. You will be missed 🙏🏼
Kent Moran says
Condolences to Colleen and the rest of the family. RIP. PRONCIPAL
Tim/Iva Zimmerman says
Condolences to the Birdsbill family. I enjoyed working with Barbara at the Housing Authority. She always made us laugh, you never knew when she was serious or not. Prayers are with the family in their time of sorrow. May God Bless and keep you.
Raymond Dolezilek says
I will miss her. Love to all ❤️❤️❤️
Julie Bemer says
Rest in peace. She was a beautiful person.
Wilfred Max Bear says
Hello Colleen and family, you have my condolences for the loss of your mother. Losing a mother is “one” of the most difficult things to go through in life. May God bless you and yours with comfort and peace during your time of loss.
Donald Boyd says
Colleen Birdsbill
Barbara Birdsbill Was A Great Elderly Friend To All Always Had A Great Smile On Her Face She Will Be Missed Alot By All Who Knew Her Sending My Deepest Condolences And Prayers To Your Family In The Days Ahead..
Warren C says
Thoughts and prayers to the Birdsbil family and friends. Remember her when I hung around with Carmen way back in the 70’s.
LaVerna DeLeon says
She will be greatly missed by all. Love you Barbara.
Wayne and Evetta Two Bulls says
Colleen and family,
Sending our heartfelt ♥️ condolences to you and all the family. Prayers for comfort and strength during this most sad and difficult time. She was a beautiful soul and will be missed 😢 💔 by many.
Nora & Punk and family says
God bless the family prayers and condolences love you guys.
J WhiteEagle-Johnson says
Colleen& Family – My sincere condolences to you .It’s going to be hard not seeing Barbara around anymore. Not many left around that I can talk Sioux with anymore, Barbara was the best. Watch over us my friend. Love you
Linda Atchico says
Rest in eternal peace Barbara. You were a grand lady. Condolences to all your family.
Patt Iron Cloud says
Dear Colleen and family. It’s a sad day when one of our beloved Elders pass away. Dearest Barb was an awesome winyan and a fabulous Tribal Councilwoman!! I will miss her big hugs. I will miss that beautiful smile. Colleen, Families are truly forever. We will see her beautiful face again. All the relatives are rejoicing in Heaven for her return and we mourn her great loss here on Mother Earth. Doksha ake waciya kink’te. God bless you and yours. 😭😭😭💔💔💔🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️❤️❤️
Bonnie Campbell says
Always loved hearing about the times our moms worked together, each a force of nature in their own right but together they fought the good fight lol literally. God speed Barbara.
Leanda Birthmark & Family! says
Sending my condolences & prayers to the Birdsbill family! She was a great woman, she also worked with the Redbird Woman Center for years as needed. She always came to have coffee in the mornings and we loved seeing her at the office. She advised us and was a great supporter of the center. Prayers sent! 🙏🏼
Shirley D Weatherwax says
Colleen my deepest condolences to you n your family. Barbara will always be my adoptive Gramma Barb. She was an amazing women. My heart just hurts right now. She always had a smile when I seen her. Sending Hugs n prayers of strength to you. Love ya to my nieces loni n Tamera n too the boys auntie loves you guys love from Auntie Shirley Dean n fam.
Dale Buckles says
My condolences to you Colleen and the entire Birdsbill family. A lot of memories. Learned some lessons from your Mom, valuable ones. Thoughts and prayers Colleen.
Dale Buckles 🙏🙏😢
Harry Mickey McAnally says
Condolences to the family
Trudy Fox says
Barbara was one of those “special” people that you are lucky to have crossed paths with on your journey. I have fond memories of her. Condolences to Colleen and all the Birdsbill family.
Diane (Wetsit) Hoy says
To Colleen and the extended family, friends, & relatives
I was sorry to hear the news of Barbara – she was truly a gem & will be greatly missed. Although it has been years, I still have the fond memories of Carmen & Willie (Weeks) & their fun times during basketball and softball tournaments. Barbara was a great cheerleader. May she rest in peace & many condolences to the families.