Janice Poowegup

        Janice Nancy Silk Poowegup,“Akéwanži” age 67, of Ft. Duchesne, passed away on January 27, 2024 with her family by her side.
    “Akéwanži” was delivered into this world by her, Aunt Elizabeth MaryAnn GreyBull during the Montana winter, when the vehicle they were traveling in slid off the road on their way to Poplar Hospital.
    She would be the youngest of three children born to her Mother, Nellie  - Wha Ina Pe Win “Takes Them Out Woman” and Father, Charles Bernard Silk.
    Janice and her older brothers, Charles D. Silk Sr. and Frederick D. Silk Sr. (1/6/2002), would be raised together between Fort Peck, MT and the Standing Rock Reservation, ND.
    Akéwanži comes from a strong linage of a traditional family. She was an enrolled member of the Standing Rock (Sioux) “Húŋkpap a” - Head of the Circle, one of the seven council fires of the Lakota tribe.
    This included her grandparents, John and Nancy Follows The Road and her great grandparents, Thomas “Hunkaiapi” and Mary “Good Pipe Woman” LongCloud.
    Our Mother would become blessed with 7 children and 4 bonus sons in her lifetime; whom she adored and cherished dearly.
    Charlie Headdress Sr. would bring her first, and oldest son Charlie (Teresa) Headdress Jr. and in time, a granddaughter, Samantha Headdress (12/30/1993), Ronnie Desjarlais Sr. gave her 3 children, Ronnie Wasü Jr., grandchildren, Jesse (Dakota), Keilby (Yoi), Kylen, Joaquin (Spring), Angelena, JoJo and Beau Redhawk.  Her daughters, Gloria (1978) and Sheryle (Jerimy, grandchildren, Kathryn, Kaden and Kayla.
    In the year of 1982, Janice and Juan Amillategui Sr., would welcome John Jr. (Stephanie) and grandchildren, Kammie, Elyza, Sidney and Araya. The following year in 1983 their son Joseph would be born.
    She later met Gary Poowegup Jr. while working at The Bottle Hollow Resort on the Ute Indian Tribe Reservation, Utah. They shared many years together; traveling to casinos, farming and ranch conventions, rodeos, hunting elk, deer, buffalo and fishing. They blended their families and that’s where she had her part in raising four more “Sonny Boys”. Charles “Bigg” Reed (3/16/2013), grandchildren,  Athelia and Ethan. Ryan (Rachelle), grandchildren, Kyle (Alexis), Serena, Makal, Avary, Peyton and Darius. Dovon (5/12/2009), granddaughter, Brooke Waylon (1/12/2021), (Tonie), grandchildren, Yampa, Shawtove and Syd Fightingbear.  In the year of 1987, the youngest son of all children, Garrie Joaquin “Husha”, would complete their family.
    Our sweet mama was known to help those in need with welcome arms. Whether you needed food, clothes or a listening ear, she was there to support you. She had an impact on all of her nieces; Carmen, Trish and Colleen & Carleen Silk, Dorice Follows The Road, her nephews, Mister Silk Jr. and Charles Robert, her grandchildren, Kobe, Katriel, Kraven, Kali, Kane, Larissa. Carmen, Ablazah, Bryce, Jade, Bently, Dustan, Acacia, uncle Oscar and Joe Follows The Road.  Who all reside in Montana.
    Janice was well known within Indian Country. She gave her all in helping and traveling to the camps of #NODAPL, supported the MMIW and was a survivor of NoKidLeftBehind. We know she met many, many people during these trips, we’d like to extent our love to those who shared memories and laughter with her along those travels.
    We will miss our Mother terribly as we transition through this life without her here physically. She leaves behind her furbabies, Tootsie, RootBeer (Handsome), Ewok, Shaggy, Isabell, Brown Sug, Stinky Butt, Sunka; who were by her side the morning she made her journey to the stars. She will also leave behind her chickens, geese and hen, Red.
    She had many great grandchildren who spent her last days with her, KeyDenn, Krayson, KarLynn, Ariyah, KreeDawn-LongCloud, KeNai. Geneviecia, Launi, Braven Wasü, Delzei. Lena, and Eli. They brought balloons, their drawings, a scrunchie, stuffed animals, and made sure to always tell her, “Goodnight Grandma, we love you, see you tomorrow”.
    She will be preceded in death by Maryann GreyBull, Wayung Hipi Win “They Came to See Her Woman” and Barbara Jane Swift Eagle Birdsbill, “Wawokiya winyan” Helps Others Woman.
    Funeral services will be held at at the Whiterocks Community Building on Friday, February 2, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.  A wake will be held after 3:00 p.m. on Thursday at her home.
    Burial will be in the Red Knoll Cemetery.