Trenton Cory Fox (Tatâga Thkan Wagichi)

Words cannot express the heartbreak that we feel for the sudden and unexpected passing of our beloved Trenton Cory Fox. He was only 47 years old, and we are left to wonder why he had to leave us so soon. But like many First Nations people, Trent was not immune to the chronic illnesses that come with intergenerational trauma and passed away at home peacefully in his sleep on June 8, 2023.

Trent was a proud 2 Spirited Stoney-Nakoda man that loved his family and community. He was especially close to his mother, Valentina Fox, with whom he lived. Trent had a great sense of humor, liked joking around and was quick to poke fun at himself. He remained humble despite his many accomplishments and was friendly and respectful to everyone he met. Trent believed in Nakoda capability and felt that Stoney administrations should be managed exclusively by Stoney people. He cared about the well-being of our people and hired relatives in need to do yardwork and fencing. Trent enjoyed cooking, inviting family and friends over for dinner, writing, debating, movies and travelling. Always by Trent’s side were his cherished canine companions, Clay and Rocky.

Trent was raised at Mini Thni by his mother, Valentina, and late father, Kent Fox (Tae-Dae). Trent’s childhood was marked by ranching and fencing with Tae-Dae, riding horses with his siblings and friends, and going on road trips with family. His mother ensured that Trent spoke the Îethka language, that he lived according to Stoney-Nakoda values and learned the culture. It was mom that insisted that her children get educated.

Trent attended elementary at Exshaw School and high school at Cochrane High and Plains Indian Cultural Survival School from where he graduated. He got his bachelors’ degree in native studies from Brandon University (1993), masters’ degree in education from Gonzaga University (2014) and was a PhD candidate at the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary where he studied Stoney history and the Nakoda language. He only had 2 chapters left to write in his doctorate dissertation. But Trent said the best education he received were the stories and teachings shared by Stoney Elders for his dissertation research.

Trent put his education to use and built himself an impressive career. He managed various programs at Mini Thni, including Human Resource Development, Wesley Post-Secondary Education, Wesley Peacekeepers and Nakoda Youth Justice where he developed culturally appropriate alternative measures. He was also a contributing writer for the Cochrane Eagle newspaper. But the accomplishment Trent was most proud of was honouring his late sister Kim by carrying on her Stoney-Nakoda language work. He did this by publishing two books; Nakota Community (2018) and Grizzly Bear Woman Teaches the A’s, Â’s & B’s (2019). Trent established his own business, the Îethka Îabi Institute, an incorporated society with a mission to promote the Îethka language and Stoney cultural teachings. Through the Îethka Îabi Institute, Trent successfully applied for almost half a million dollars in grant funding with which he pursued various Îethka language projects including a 2022 Stoney calendar, a Stoney Elder – Youth mentorship program, a Stoney language conference and an Îethka Îabi dictionary. Stoney people relied on Trent for Îethka pronunciations, meanings, and spellings.

Trent is survived by his loving mother, Valentina Fox, siblings Neisha (Shane) with whom he was raised and close to, Glenna (Gerald), Lional (Kim), Mildred, Terry (Kim), Tami (Tim), nephews Joe (Taylor) and Kendric, best friends Kenny Hunter, Tonya Simeon and Kandace Kootenay, and many relatives too numerous to mention. We apologize if we have missed anyone.

While we are devastated by Trent’s loss, we take comfort in knowing he had a happy reunion with the family and friends that went to the spirit world before him, including his dad, Kent, brother Moses, sister Kim, nephews Tom and Mike, good friend Lee Beaver, paternal and maternal grandparents, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and relatives, and his precious cat Demi.

Forever in our hearts. Until we meet again.

A wake will take place at the residence of Valentina Fox on Tuesday, June 13th starting at 12:00 pm. Funeral Services will be held for Trenton at the Morley Youth Center on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 1:00 pm.