Chris Frank Leith

Chris Frank Leith, 75, of Prairie Island, died Thursday March 3, 2011 at his home. He was born on July 2, 1935, the son of Walter and Cora (Lawrence) Leith. He attended schools at Burnside and graduated from Red Wing Central High School in 1952. He served in the United States Air Force from 1954-1958, as a pilot during the Korean War, while stationed in Okinawa, Japan. After his discharge from the service he married Barbara Jackson and they started their family, Crystal, Arnold, Carl and Clark Leith. They lived in Montana where he worked as a ranch hand. Chris moved back to Prairie Island and helped on the family farm. He attended the University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus from 1966-1969. He worked at Jules Fairbanks Center Aftercare Residence Program, St. Paul American Indian Center, was a consultant to a number of Native American programs throughout the Twin Cities, completed Family Treatment Training at Hazelden and at the Thunderbird Halfway House. He was a consultant to adolescent programs in the St. Paul Area, Eden Youth Program, Ogema, Fairview Deaconess Residential Treatment Programs, New Visions Treatment Program, and Red School House Cultural Resource Instructor. He was a board member of the NICWA Board.

In his past he had the honor assisting several Dakota and Ojibwe Medicine Men with traditional ceremonies, expressing to the people the importance of Spiritual life as well as cultural values. Years ago he traveled with Martin Highbear, a Sioux Medicine man, assisting him with ceremonies and interpreting the results of the ceremonies to the people involved. Ceremonies are conducted in the Sioux language, which he spoke fluently, therefore, he interpreted into the English language to those who do not understand or speak the Dakota language. His spiritual growth includes fasting while vision questing four times on our Sacred mountain of Bear Butte, located near Rapid City, South Dakota and once at Mount Hood near Portland, Oregon. Also participating with Sun Dance ceremonies and piercing, a sacrifice for our people. This involvement helped him to gain knowledge and wisdom for a better understanding of our traditional and cultural values. His traditional activities included conducting sundances, sweat lodge ceremonies, speaking at Spiritual gatherings, burial and naming ceremonies, participating with traditional powwows; all cultural activities, expressing an understanding of traditional and cultural values to the Indian and Non-Indian populations.

SURVIVED BY
Children: Crystal Leith-Shabaiash of Prairie Island, Carl Leith and Clark Leith both of Minneapolis, Christine Leith of St. Paul, Arvol Looking Horse of Green Grass, SD, Antonio Dirzo of Shakopee, Looking Horse Family, Johnson Family, Dr. Lloyd Elm and Ron Harms of St. Paul.
Grandchildren: Antulio Aguila Leith, Wamb'di (Inajin) Leith, Amberann Ione Khan, Javad Latif Khan, Melynie Quaderer, Nick Anderson, Christine Leith, Cassandra Leith, Dezmond Smith-Leith, Dathan Leith, Denaya Leith, special granddaughter, Shining Star Woman (Mona) Gavilan.
Great-Grandchildren: Elliana, Chris, Chaske, Cora and Dion.
Former wife: Barbara Erickson.

PRECEDED BY
His parents; son, Arnold Leith; sisters, Christine Leith, Marcella Bluestone, Gladys Scharmer; brothers, Vern Hellman, Amos and Ione Owen, and Wallace and Gertrude Wells.