Elizabeth Lee (Grant) Edwards

Elizabeth Lee Grant Edwards “Piitah Yahn” Eagle Robe, 43, an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe and a resident of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, passed away Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 10:10 PM in Great Falls, Mt. surrounded by family.  Elizabeth was born to Gabriel Lee and CarolAnn (Gallagher-Horn) Grant on June 11, 1977 in Browning, Mt.  Elizabeth’s grandfather Francis named her after her grandmother Elizabeth (Rose) Gallagher-Horn.  She was raised in Browning and attended Browning Public Schools.  She graduated from Browning High School in 1995.  After graduation, Liz attended MSU-Northern, majoring in Elementary Education, while awaiting acceptance into the school of Radiology. Liz completed most of her course work at MSU-Northern, only having her student teaching to complete, but X-RAY was her passion.  After applying for three years she was finally accepted into the St. Vincent School of Radiology in Billings, Montana.  After graduation Liz moved to Missoula, Montana and joined the St. Pat’s Family of Radiology, she was employed from 2002 to 2008. While at St. Pat’s Elizabeth completed and obtain her credentials as CT (scan) Tech.  Elizabeth returned to Browning to work for the Blackfeet Indian Health service until her passing. During her employment with the Blackfeet Indian Health Service she received training for Mammogram and recently accepted a job as the lead CT Technician within her department. 

In 2010 she was reunited with Chris Edwards, her classmate, they were married February 14, 2011 and on March 28, 2011 they welcome their son Brock Christopher Edwards.

Liz had many passions, the love of her family was number one and many good ideas for her baby sister Samantha to do was second. Liz loved to cook, always trying new recipes and cooking for an army! Liz loved camping and family cookouts. Liz practiced her Blackfeet culture whether it was through attending various Powwows, participating in the dancing, she was a women’s traditional dancer, the language and making our traditional food. Liz owned her own lodge and always looked forward to the annual North American Indian Days to set up camp. The annual North American Indian Days was cancelled this past July, but she helped set up camp in our backyard with the music, traditional food, campfire and sleeping in her lodge with Brock, Samantha and Jacob.

Liz was a firm believer that every family member needed their Indian name, our relative Marvin Weatherwax Sr. had given all our children their Indian names when they were very young from our Grant ancestors. Liz had Earl OldPerson Sr. bestow this honor upon her husband Chris and her son Brock.

Liz did all of this for her son Brock, she wanted him to continue and practice our Blackfeet Traditional way of life.

Liz also had her Catholic faith, when anyone came to her troubled she would tell them “pray”! Liz and sister Tammy would pray together every day at the hospital during their breaks. Tammy would tell Liz, whenever you are ready? Liz always called upon her Grandma Barbie for prayer.

Elizabeth comes from a strong Blackfeet family, both of her grandmothers Cecile (DogTakingGun) Grant and Leota (NightShoot) Gallagher-Horn were full-bloods and spoke the Blackfeet language fluently.

Elizabeth loved her husband, her son Brock, her parents, sisters, brother, nieces and nephews. She loved life!

Elizabeth is survived by her parents Gabriel and Carol, her husband Chris (Blackbear-tsikyiyo) and son Brock (MistakenGun-paa”tsiinaamaa).  Sisters Melissa (Diego), Vanissa, Samantha and a Brother Kirk (Loni).  Liz’s Goddaughter Amanda Mariah Bear Medicine, her adopted Grandmother Barbie AfterBuffalo, in-laws Deilia and Chris (Smokey) Edwards, childhood friend Jami McLoughin Kale, X-ray Co-workers at the Blackfeet Indian Health Service, St. Pat’s X-Ray Family, along with her good friends Dawn Fields, Delores Birdsong and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.  

She was proceeded in death by paternal grandparents Wallace and Cecile (Dog TakingGun) Grant, maternal grandparents Francis and Leota (Nightshoot) Gallagher-Horn Sr.

A wake will take place at her parents (childhood) home starting on Monday January 4, Rosaries will be Tuesday, January 5^th at 7:00 pm and the funeral will be Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 2:00 pm.

The family would like to say “THANK YOU” to the Benefis Hospital eighth floor Doctors, Nurses in the North Tower, the Doctors and Nurses on the fifth floor of ICU in the South Tower for taking such good care of our mother, wife, daughter, sister and Aunt.  The care and compassion shown to Elizabeth will never be forgotten! A special “Thank you” to Nurse Practitioner Heidi Fritz, who never left Liz’s side and was with the family until her passing.  We would also like to say “Thank You” to the Blackfeet Indian Health Service for providing Elizabeth with excellent quality care, to the ambulance drivers for getting both Liz and her Dad to Benefis Hospital safely. Thank you Peewee Stiffarm for the comfort, caring and kind words you have given the family.

The family ask you please follow the Covid-19 guidelines, practice social distances and wear a mask.

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