Husband. they also owned a logging truck. she loaded green lumber at the mill and worked along side her nephew, camille mathias. but she also supported her family through tanning buckskins and exquisite beadwork. as a master tanner and beader, she applied the traditional techniques and designs on her grandmothers in cradleboards, moccasins, dresses, purses and other apparel. only one person ever achieved 's seal of approval for traditional kootenai tanning and beading, her granddaughter, de-de. we all remember what a powerful vocalist was. she loved singing and believed that singing expressed spirituality, a way to honour our creator. she was also an avid stickgame player and enjoyed poker and waluks. she became a fixture at local casinos playing keno and bingo, usually going for broke to win the big jackpot so she could stake all her friends. but it was never about the money, just enjoying the company of family and friends. was employed by the kootenai culture committee right up to the time of her passing. she expected the best from all of us and spent endless hours teaching all that she knew. as a true elder, she understood the importance of passing on to future generations all that she had been taught and all that she learned the hard way. she never compromised the integrity of the indian kootenai ; way and for that she was rewarded with a long and fascinating life. she was the last surviving indian participant of the 1935 kerr dam lease agreement. she camped at the site with her family as they entered into the lease to construct the largest hydroelectric facility in the region, which remains a major source of revenue today for cskt. in 1986, she testified in federal district court at the ferc hearings to re-license the dam. a long way from "walla.