Cynthia Blackeagle

Cynthia A. Blackeagle, 70, retired dental assistant and Nez Perce tribal member, was born June 30, 1946, in Lewiston, at St. Joseph's Hospital to Reuben Blackeagle and Veda Ruth Jackson. She was called home to be with the lord on April 27, 2017.

She grew up and attended school in Kamiah and Kooskia before she moved to Lawrence, Kan., to attend the Haskell Indian High School. She was the last graduating high school class of 1965 before Haskell turned into a vocational institution.

Cynthia resided in Topeka, Kan., for 11 years. Before moving home, she met Phillip L. Jackson (deceased), resulting in the birth of one daughter, Shannon L. Jackson, "The Haskell Rascal."

She was an active ordained elder of the First Indian Presbyterian Church east of Kamiah. She enjoyed fishing, root digging, gathering berries, picking weewiim and pasq in the mountains, she enjoyed spending time with her family and cooking for big events. She faithfully attended the Talmaks gathering at Craigmont in addition to the Pima Church Camp meeting in Arizona. She also enjoyed attending the evangelistic services at each of the six Indian Presbyterian churches. She loved to go sweat at the old home place.

Cynthia was an avid Nimiipuu fisherwoman who remained active in the Nez Perce hunting and fishing treaty rights. She participated in the historic Rapid River standoff and fish trials. She attended the Sheldon Jackson Indian college fisheries program with her cousins.

Cynthia worked for the Indian Health Service and was trained to be a dental assistant for the Nez Perce people. During her tenure she later assisted in the transition of the Nez Perce Tribe's Dental Program from Indian Health Service to now Nimiipuu Health Dental; she retired for medical reasons and was dedicated by serving almost 30 years.

Cynthia remained active with her tribe as she served on multiple committees, such as the NPT Senior Advisory Committee and NPT General Council Resolutions Committee. She served on the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Committee and was able to attend the closing ceremonies in St. Louis. She served on the St. Louis Warrior committee and attended the memorial for the four St. Louis Warriors, who were Blackeagle (descendant), Speaking Eagle (descendant), Rabbit Skin Leggings and her favorite, "No Horns on his Head."

Cynthia reigns and still remains "queen of the rock."

She was so dedicated to playing on the Wa'A-yas women's softball league by participating in a tournament after Mount St. Helen's erupted until the game was finally called.

She served as a Talmaks head cook for multiple years and participated in the combined church choirs; she enjoyed singing translated Nimiipuutimpki hymns. She was a Sunday school teacher and youth group leader. She participated in the prayer warriors circle, enjoyed attending the NPT elders' trips throughout the Inland Northwest and participated in the NMPH women's wellness conferences. She enjoyed visiting with friends and family from all walks of life.

Cynthia was preceded in death by her mother, Veda R. Jackson, father Reuben Blackeagle and brother Frank Blackeagle

She is survived by her sisters, Kathy Blackeagle of Lewiston, and Mildred, Norton and Janet Blackeagle of Kooskia; Joseph Blackeagle and Barbara and Ed Fisher of Kamiah; her daughter, Shannon Jackson of Seattle; and grandson Lorenzo Ellenwood of Kamiah.

A family dressing will be held today at Trenary Funeral Home in Kooskia. The wake memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. at the Nakissa Hall in East Kamiah. The funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. Monday at the First Indian Presbyterian Church, with a burial ceremony at the church cemetery. Dinner to follow. Trenary Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements.