NAFPS Forum

Bernadette Rouwalk Byrd
Nov 15, 1962 -
Apr 22, 2020
Bernadette Rouwalk Byrd, 57, died on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska, of natural causes. A celebration of Bernadette's life will be held once it is safe to gather again after the COVID-19 crisis passes.
Bernadette Rouwalk was born on Nov. 15, 1962 in Gallup, N.M., to Donald Dean Rouwalk (Pawnee) and Alyce Jane Kellywood Rouwalk (Navajo). She was born into the Navajo Kiyaa'áanii Clan (Towering House Clan), born for the Skeedee (Wolf) Band of Pawnee Indians. Bernadette's loving father Don died in 1972, a loss she never forgot. She spent her childhood in Albuquerque, N.M., with her mother and three sisters, Michele, Donna and Caroline. Bernadette graduated from Sandia High School in 1980 and attended the University of New Mexico. Her early adult years were spent in Albuquerque and Window Rock, Ariz., where she had her daughter Alicia Montoya (38), and son Charles Montoya (37), with her first husband, Richard Montoya. She returned to Albuquerque after her divorce, met and married Terry Byrd from Kentucky. Together they had two sons, Andrew Byrd (30) and Justin Byrd (22). They resided in Kirtland, N.M., a few years. Throughout her life Bernadette was employed as a hair dresser, a bank teller, a U.S. government contractor and finally a federal employee with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) within the U.S. Dept. of the Interior. At the time of her death she was a General Legal and Kindred Administrator for the BIA.
In 2001 she and her family moved to Anchorage. Bernadette and Terry Byrd divorced in 2016. In 2015, Bernadette suffered from a long illness attributed to diverticulitis. With the help of her family and very good friends she recovered but her health was never the same.
Bernadette will be missed by her mother, Alyce Rouwalk Lynn; stepfather, Ron Lynn; sisters, Michele Meiners (spouse Kent Meiners), Donna Rouwalk and Caroline Rouwalk (partner Danny Diaz); children, Alicia Montoya (spouse Amanda Opeka), Charles Montoya, Andrew Byrd (partner Rainna Stock) and Justin Byrd; grandchildren, Rajker, Wyatt; and a baby granddaughter on the way (all Andrew Byrd's children); her niece and many nephews; many cousins; and her many friends across the U.S. [...]

Archive of
Alert – Re:Brooke ‘Medicine Eagle’ Edwards
Abuse and Exploitation of American Indian Sacred Traditions
A Statement from the Center for the SPIRIT
https://web.archive.org/web/20110622015107/http://www.sonomacountyfreepress.com/features/brooke-edwards.html

Brooke Medicine-Eagle is an American native Earthkeeper

Although of mixed heritage, her tribal enrollment is through the Crow Indian tribe in Montana. She also has native blood from the Lakota, Nez Perce, and Cherokee peoples, as well as ancestors from Europe.

This is her new victim:
As an elder with no children or family, it is a great joy to have more young people in my life, especially my now Hunka-adopted daughter, Shannondoah.
....spent November weeks in San Francisco and N CA with Shannondoah and her family, plus a growing group of FlowerSong supporters; it feels like my old home Bay area is becoming a second home again, for myself and for FlowerSong.

This Shannonhoah is a 23 year old white woman who grew up on Long Island, and tried to become a part of the Native community there.  She was rejected even though she maintained that she had Native ancestry.  This information came from her blog.  Where she firmly believes that she is Native, although she can't identify the Tribe she is from.

Wellness Practitioner ~ Artist ~ Writer ~ Poet ~ Momma ~ Tsalagi ~ Gardener ~ Earthkeeper ~ Lightworker

Her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Brooke-Medicine-Eagle-1543703779209793/
Her Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/brooke.medicineeagle

Hearing Aid and Dental procedure to enable continuing to share my gifts and wisdom! THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY - may it return to you in ABUNDANCE AND GOODNESS!!

I still must travel and teach at 81 years old...Several months ago, I had my medicine bag/suitcase stolen from right behind me on a train, losing many precious medicine items, buckskin clothing, and special gifts from relatives now ancestors. It was deeply shocking, and it took me awhile to realize that I had also lost another small, yet very precious thing: HEARING AIDS that I must have to hear well in circles and gatherings. These aids are incredibly expensive, and Medicare helps very little. My cost for new set: $3500. As an elder, I do relatively well on a small monthly income; yet large, unexpected expenses are difficult. AND now I am told I need a NEW BRIDGE FOR MY FRONT TEETH - the other one is very old and now fragile. Again, Medicare doesn't help and even supplemental insurance is too expensive to add dental support. Cost: $2500.

I know I have many friends, colleagues and students out there, and would so much appreciate your assistance at this time of my life! Any amount helps, and the love that comes with it!! At the end of the fundraising, I will give a zoom call to connect, share, and answer questions. It will be nice to be in touch. Again, THANK YOU FOR YOUR KINDNESS & SUPPORT - may it return to you a thousand-fold! Love and blessings, BROOKE