Tiaune Lou McKay “Winter Moon Woman” (Waniyetu Hanyetuwi Win), 20, of Mni Wakan Oyate, has begun her journey to the Spirit World. She passed away unexpectedly Saturday, December 23, 2023. Beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, auntie, cousin, niece and best friend.

Tiaune was the precious first-born daughter of Brooke Yankton and Ronald McKay Jr. She was born on March 3^rd, 2003 at Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake, ND. She attended preschool in St. Michael’s, ND. Tiaune had a lot of potential and was very smart, as she maintained A and B honor roll throughout her education in Devils Lake, ND, before earning her GED at Candeska Cikana Community College in 2021.

Tiaune was a very kindhearted, spiritual, insightful, intuitive, and compassionate young woman. She loved watching movies, series and listening to music with her mom and family. She also enjoyed cooking her favorite spicy foods, such as, hot Cheetos mozzarella sticks.

Tiaune spent the last year and a half at home helping take care of her mom, grandma, and siblings. She was always willing to lend a hand with household tasks, or going out of her way to run errands, which brought a sense of ease and support for her loved ones. Tiaune cherished being an auntie and fell in love with her nephew, Tyree at first sight. She loved him dearly.

Tiaune had a way of lighting up the room with her smile and great sense of humor. She loved to tease and joke around with everybody that she loved. Tiaune loved animals, she once spent all of her money buying a pet lion head bunny from the pet store to bring into her little brother’s hospital room to cheer him up after surgery. Tiaune will be remembered through her beautiful smile, kindness, and generosity.

We find comfort in knowing she has reunited with her ancestors. Tiaune was interested in discovering her ancestral indigenous roots and was a proud descendent of Chief Holy Standing Buffalo and Sunka Ska.

Tiaune’s life on earth was short but her spirit will live on as she returns to Star Nation to reunite with her relatives and ancestors. It brings comfort knowing Papa Grover Fallis “Ohinna Cante Duha U Wicasa” (One Who Gives His Heart To The People) will be there to welcome her and care for her just as he did so many times when she was just a tiny baby. She will be missed dearly, but we know this is not a goodbye, this is a see you after, my girl we will see you again.

She is survived by her parents, Brooke Yankton and Ronald McKay Jr.; brothers, Tronis (Traci) McKay, Baby Ron, Jaxen; sisters, Trinicee “CiCi”; special nephew, Tyree Quade; maternal grandparents; grandmother, Mary Lou “Grandma Googs” Fallis, grandfather, James (Cathy) Yankton Jr.; special uncle, Stan Jetty “Uncle Slaus”,  Raymond (Faye) Jetty Sr., and children & family,  Steve Jetty and children & family; auntie, Janice (Keith) Idland and children & family, auntie, Alice (Dallas) Dogskin, special auntie, Jeanette (Cowboy) Lawrence and children & family,  Roger Jetty and children, Thomas (Debbie) Jetty and children & family, Alfred Longie Sr., Roger Yankton Sr., Celeste Herman, Clarise (Joseph) Lawrence, Valerie (Lawrence) Bull and children, Paulette (Jerry) Lenoir & children, Quentin Yankton & children, Jackie Yankton & children, Andrea (Roger) Ironshield & children, Michael Greywater & children; paternal grandparents, Donna Jackson, grandfather, Ronnie (Connie) McKay Sr., Mona (John) Chaske and children & family, Roger “Busty” McKay Sr. and children & family, Corby McKay and children & family, Murray McKay and children & family, Josie McKay and children & family, Anna McKay, Zeda McKay and children & family, Jeannie Cavanaugh, Dolly Cavanaugh, Dan Cavanaugh, Marty Alex, special uncle, Ricky (Alison) Walter Jr. and boys, Bronson & Beau, uncles, Joe Yankton and children & family and Keith (Fallon) Greywater and children & family, Dion (Kara) Jackson and children & family, Jeremy Rainbow Sr. and children & family, Ronald “Wojo” Rainbow and children & family; aunts, Angela Yankton and children & family, Penny (Audie) Yankton and children & family, Iris Yankton and children & family, Wendy (Preston) Danks and children & family, Skye Yankton and children, Elita Yankton and children, Jaymee Yankton and children, Hailee Yankton and Felicia (CJ) Greywater and children, special auntie Roxanne (Tyler) Black and children, Trista (Bryant) Jetty & children, Kyla (Kirby) Delorme and children, Champ & Alyssa Delorme & children, Chasity LittleOwl and children & family, Nicole McKay and children & family, special auntie, Kenzie Mckay and children & family, Julie McKay and children & family, Gwen McKay and children & family, Krista Jackson and children & family, Lisa Fox and children and auntie, Lisa (Norvin) Beaver.

She follows to the spirit world grandfather, Grover L. Fallis, Daniel Jetty, Alex Yankton, Scott Yankton, James Yankton Sr., Paul Yankton; grandmothers, Olivia Jetty, Sarah Ann Jetty, Patricia Jetty and Baby Joseph, Marsha Littlewind, Jessica Yankton, Roberta Yankton, Pauline Greywater, Julie Herald; great-grandparents, Oliver Raymond Jetty Sr. and Sarah May Jetty; uncles, Mark M Shaw, William Herman, Robert Herman Jr., Glenn Belgarde Sr., Wayne Anderson Sr. and his two daughters, Megan & Melissa; aunts, Laura Faye Jetty and son, Zephren, Kara Jetty and Katherine Lenoir.  If we forgot to name anyone please, know it was not intentional, as Tiaune has a very big family. Please forgive us during this difficult time.

Pallbearers: Bronson Walter, Beau Walter, Wylee Belgarde, Dillon McKay, Ashlynn Jetty, Alionna Lawrence, Jacob Yankton

Honorary Bearers: Shotaya Fox, Kaylee Blacksmith, Shanese & Shanae Jetty, Angelina Pacheco, Chasity Little Owl, Dante Whitetail, Brian Pearson, Maddy Leaf, Tara Mason, Barbara Jackson, Paulette Driver, Kassandra Delorme, Krista Lawrence, Kyla Delorme, Trista &Bryant, Scott & Meada Jetty, Margo Azure, Stacy Greene, John (Mona) Chaske Sr., LaRon LaRocque Family. A special thank you to the family and friends who stopped by to offer prayers, comfort, support and condolences. If we forgot to name anyone, please know it was not intentional, as Tiaune has a very big family. Please forgive us during this difficult time.

 

A Visitation for Tiaune will be held Thursday, December 28^th beginning at 5pm in the St. Michaels Rec Center. Friends and family wishing to join the procession from Devils Lake to St. Michael may gather on the Plaza in Devils Lake, at  4:15pm.

A Wake Services will be at 7pm. White Horse Hill Singers. All drum groups are invited.

Funeral Service will be held Friday, December 29^th at 10:30am in the St Michaels Rec Center.

Tiaune will be laid to rest at a later date.