Cheryl Sutherland

Cheryl Lynn Sutherland started her journey to the Spirit world on March 31, 2026, at the Billings clinic in Billings Montana. Cheryl was given her beloved nickname, “Boo Bear” from her older brother Richard when she was an infant. She was given her Dakota name, Waha’canka Duta Wi (Red Shield Woman). Cheryl was surrounded by the love of her children and grandchildren at the end of her life. Cheryl was 65 years old.

Cheryl was born on December 5, 1960, in Poplar, Montana, to her parents Richard “Dicky” Sutherland and Louise Ell, who both preceded her in passing. Cheryl was enrolled in Rocky Boy, but Poplar is where she called home. She loved both reservations as many of her beloved relatives resided in both.

Cheryl in early years she followed her parents to California until they moved back home to Montana. She later moved with her father to Rocky Boy. They later moved to Columbia Falls, later moving back with her mother to Fort Peck reservation. Together with her siblings they lived in Glasgow, Montana Air Force Base where Cheryl continued her schooling; she was a proud Glasgow Scotty.

In the years to follow she married and divorced Jerry Small, together they had her first son Terrell. Grandma Louise also fell in love with Terrell, took him and raised him as her own. Cheryl continued on her own path and met Alfred Walking Eagle and together had Seneca; whom Cheryl’s Uncle Walkie and Aunt Rose Sutherland loved and raised together in Rocky Boy. Cheryl later met Frank Martell and had their sons; Cale and Brandon. They parted their ways, and Cheryl later met Bernard Noel Youpee, and together they had their daughters; Britney and Marlene. Years later she met Robert Brown, together they had their sons; Richard and her baby boy Zachary.

Throughout her life Cheryl wore several hats; she worked as a geographical seismic surveyor, firefighting camp crew, Housekeeper for the Rocky Boy Tribal Health, net maker for A & S Industries, and Fort Peck Tribes Day Care worker. But above all, her most cherished role was helping raise her grandchildren. They were her pride, her joy, and the center of her world. Cheryl was a woman of strong faith. She loved attending church and walking closely with the Lord. She also enjoyed attending powwows to watch her grandchildren dance, and supporting the Three Buffalo Sundance, where she prayed alongside her relatives. She carried both faiths in a good way, with humility and strength. She did enjoy playing the machines when she could get away from her grandkids.

She enjoyed attending camp revivals with her mother and aunts. She enjoyed attending the Fort Peck Diabetes Program walks and events, a place that held deep meaning to her heart— connecting both her mother’s work and her daughter’s path. When she was younger, she loved going on walks and visiting with friends and family, always staying connected to her people.

Cheryl was known for her beauty; her family would often tell her children how beautiful she was, inside and out. Also, for her warm and joyful spirit. She was always smiling, always joking, and always laughing. She had a special gift—she could make anyone smile, even a stranger. Her kindness, humor, and beautiful personality will be deeply missed by all who know her.

Though we grieve her passing, we take comfort knowing she is no longer suffering. She has gone ahead of us, welcomed into the arms of her loved ones and Creator. Her journey continues in the Spirit World, and her prayers, faith, and love remain with us.

She was a mother to Terrell (Heather) Sutherland, Seneca Sutherland, Cale (Klarissa) Martell, Brandon Martell, Britney (Joseph) Cloud, and Zachary Brown, and she now reunites in the Spirit World with her beloved children who have gone before her, Richard “Dicky Bob” Brown and Marlene “Marz” Youpee, and grandson Andre’ Good Soldier.

She is welcomed to heaven by her parents; Louise Ell, and Richard “Dicky” Sutherland. Siblings: Richard Sutherland Jr, and Connie Sutherland. Niece Chelsea Pribbernow, nephew Richard Sutherland, and Zachary Sutherland. Grandparents; Rose (Pepion) and Thomas Sutherland. Mary (Wakan) and Thomas Buckles. Aunts/Uncles; George Sutherland, Rosalie Batistia, Rania Sutherland, Elizabeth Sutherland, Helen Molina, Delma and Dennis Sutherland, Geneva Houle, Louis “Walkie” Sutherland, Lorraine Red Dog, Raymond Buckles, Arthur Buckles, and Pearl Hopkins.

Cheryl leaves behind a large and loving family of grandchildren: Janaeya Sutherland, Tyson Sutherland, Shanel Red Thunder, Oakley Sutherland, Paxton Sutherland; Tenielle Sutherland, Timothy Sutherland, Jaykub Sutherland; Isaiah Martell, Cale Martell II, Valencia Martell; Joedaus Small, Logan Cloud, Rayen Cloud; and Benjamin Brown and Sienna, along with her special grandsons; Vincent Youpee, Colter Beauchamp, and Kalijah Good Soldier Jr., who held a special place in her heart. She was also blessed with great-grandchildren: Kailoe Red Thunder-Katoa, L’Zariah Sutherland, Brielle Red Thunder-Katoa, Jaimison Red Thunder-Katoa, Lilliana Sutherland,Ravonnie Harris, and Jaivianna Harris.

Survived by siblings; Harold “Mr. Dean” Sutherland, Sandra Sutherland, Elaine Coffee, and Thomas Sutherland. Her adopted children; Chucky (Celestine) Plant, Jesse Sutherland, Tommy Sutherland, and Leigh Spotted Bird. Adopted Grandchildren; Kayleigh, Rita, Kyla, David, Cayden, Aaron, Holy Bear, Jacob and Jayceon. Her nephews/nieces; Dustynn (Arielle) Sutherland, Travis (Carrie) Pribbernow, Charles “Chaz” (Jessica) Pribbernow, Desiree “Shy” Sutherland, Noah Sutherland, Mike Sangrey, Rylee Sutherland, Heather and Kandas “Kandi” Sutherland. Aunts: Gloria Chopper, Rose Sutherland, Gloria Buckles, Vanessa & Venetta Eagle, Jackie (John) Spotted Bird, Doris Spotted Bird, Delilah, Grandchildren; Ceyara Henderson, Charles “Gabe” Plante III, Caleb Plante, Caden Plante, Charlize Plante, Chase Plante, Chance Plante, Tyler Pribbernew, Travis Pribbernew, Anna Louise Pribbernew, Iesha, Whitley, Chance Pribbernew, Chasen Pribbernew, Channing Pribbernew, Bryson Beauchamp, Andrew Beauchamp, Payton Beauchamp, Ivory Garfield, Quinn Sutherland, Alexis Sutherland, Ashton “AJ” Sutherland, Aysia Sutherland, Aspen Sutherland, Kamryn Sutherland, Karsen Sutherland, Manayah Sutherland, Mariloni, Thomas Sutherland Jr., Marshal Sutherland, Jayda Sutherland, Illannia Sutherland, Emma Sutherland, Blake Sutherland, Jeston Sutherland, Kennedy, Cain Covert, Three Covert. Relatives; Buckles, Sutherlands, Youngmans, White Hawks, Grey Hawks, Plants, Red Eagles, Draszt and so many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren too numerous to mention. But she loved you all and always had a good story to tell us growing up. Thank you for being in her life. We love you.

A wake will be held on Monday, April 6th at 7:00 p.m., funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 7th at 11:00 a.m. all at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment will follow at Box Elder Cemetery.