Gabriel Michael Cutfinger

RONAN — Gabriel Michael Cutfinger, 45, went on his final journey on Thursday, April 27, 2006, in Ronan.

Born to Rosalie (Sarceeman) and Gilbert Cutfinger, Sr. in Browning on Dec. 15, 1960, he was a proud full blood member of the Blackfeet and Piegan Nations. Gabby was raised as a child in Browning, and later in Wapato, Wash., where he graduated from high school.

An accomplished basketball player, Gabby went on to further schooling but never stuck it out as the traditional life would call and he would honor his Blackfeet ways and Grass Dance. Gabby made a life of pursuing the powwow dance circuit and sustaining longstanding family ties by visiting family as much as he could. He lived life to its fullest right until the end when his health left him weak. Gabby worked at Chemawa Indian School where he was a dorm counselor and enjoyed this very much.

Gabby will be missed by his family and many friend from throughout the Plains, Canada and the Northwest.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Christopher Cutfinger and Julius Guzman; sisters Rosalyn Cutfinger, Jeannie Belcourt and Dinte Cutfinger; niece Chloe Jean Cutfinger and numerous other relatives from the Sarceeman, KickingWoman, Whitegrass, Guzman, Costilla, HomeGun, Old Person, Big Beaver and Cutfinger families.

He married Linda Auld and they later separated but he tried to stay close. He also leaves behind his children: Stacey Auld (Josh) and Tara Cutfinger; brothers Tony (Karen) Cutfinger of St. Ignatius, Reuben (Tracy) Cutfinger of Polson, Gilbert Jr. (Vera) Cutfinger and Alvin Guzman, all of Lapwai, Idaho; sister Patsy (Nelson) BigSam of Arlee; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and elders from the Piegan Reserve, the Blackfeet Nation and the Flathead Reservation.

A wake began on Thursday, April 27, at Foster & Durgeloh Funeral Home in St. Ignatius and moved to the Longhouse in St. Ignatius on Saturday evening where it was also held on Sunday. On Monday the wake moved to Glacier Homes Community Center in Browning where the services were held on Wednesday.