Obituary of Santanna Kayla May Lee Tates

Santanna Tates passed away on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at the age of 39, in the Health Sciences Centre, Palliative Care Unit.  Santanna passed away peacefully with her mother, children, and best friend by her side after a short and aggressive battle with cancer.

Santanna was a Red River Métis, born and raised in Winnipeg on August 17, 1985, to parents Bonnie Cockriell and Joseph Tates. She attended Maples Collegiate. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Winnipeg and went on to study Language revitalization.

Santanna served as the Vice-Chairperson for Seven Oaks Métis Council and was an active member of the Infinity Women Secretariat Inc.

Santanna worked for Victory Lanes Speedway for a few years. Professionally, she worked as a Michif Language Archivist with the Manitoba Métis Federation’s Louis Riel Institute.

Santanna enjoyed travelling around Canada, especially northern Manitoba. She was full of adventure and very spontaneous. She enjoyed beading, volunteering, taking long drives leading nowhere just for fun, hosting Métis cultural events and programming for youth and elders. She was passionate about Michif language revitalization and learning the language. She loved cabin life at the lake, swimming, car racing, and history. She enjoyed spending time doing her archival work and learning about her ancestry and history.

Santanna will be lovingly remembered by her two children Gavin and Nevada Rushford; her mother Bonnie Cockriell; brother Channing Tates; nephews Cole and Felix; niece Olivia; aunts, uncles; and cousins John and Jimmy who were like brothers; as well as Kim, Tammy, and Patti, and other cousins. Also cherishing her memory are many friends, coworkers, and members of the Red River Métis and Victory Lane Speedway Communities.

Santanna was predeceased by her Grandmother Gertrude Cockriell in 1985; Grandmother Annette Tates in 1989; Great Grandmother Ruby Cockriell; Grandfather Richard Tates in 1990; her Father Joseph Tates in 2017; and her Uncle Bernard Cockriell in 2018.

A Celebration of Santanna’s life will be held on Friday, December 6, 2024, from 5:00pm to 9:00pm in the Ivory Room located at 200 Main Street. This is a come and go event that all are welcome to attend.

Santanna’s private Interment will be held at a later date at Brookside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers and in memory of Santanna, the family requests donations be made to the fundraiser set up through Go Fund Me that was created to help her young adult children get through financially. https://gofund.me/34a01353.