Frederick Swiftbird Raymond

Our beloved son and relative, Frederick Swiftbird Raymond, passed on November 16, 2015 at the home he shared with his grandmother in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His grandmother, Cliona Angela Waller, "Grandma," cared for Fred during the last ten years of his life as his health declined. He was born with a congenital condition known as KT syndrome. It caused serious medical problems, including two amputations of his left leg, partial paralysis from the waist down and chronic pain that was often severe. Fred overcame these challenges with intelligence and enthusiasm for life.
Fred was born at Lutheran Deaconess Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota on April 2, 1978 and lived to 37 years of age. He graduated from Minneapolis South High School in 1996 and attended one year of college at the University of Minnesota Morris. In his twenties, he entered a nursing home in Minneapolis and courageously made a nursing-home-to-nursing-home transfer to Scottsdale, Arizona, where he was able to live independently. In 2005, he moved to Albuquerque. Fred loved Minnesota, but the winter weather was difficult for him because he was wheelchair-bound.
Fred was an enrolled member of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians. At the age of one, he received his Lakota name, Zitkala Luza (Swiftbird), from Medicine Man Martin Highbear. On his fifth birthday, he was baptized into the Native American Church (NAC) by Roadman Reuben A. Snake at the Department of Indian Work in St. Paul, Minnesota. Medicine Man Robert Steed conducted healing ceremonies for Fred before he turned 12-years-old. Lakota Spiritual Leader and Roadman James Clairmont conducted Native American Church prayer services for him in the years that followed. This spiritual support had a profound effect on him and he was a strong believer in the Creator God.
Fred is survived by his mother, Georgia Mayotte, who is also a Red Lake member and on her side, sister, Robin, and brother, Richard, and many relatives. He is also survived by his father, Reid Scott Raymond, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe; stepmother, Heidi Ann Drobnick, a member of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa; brothers, Lance Robertson, James Raymond and William Raymond; sister, LuAnn Raymond; grandmother Cliona Waller; step-grandmother Margaret Raymond; uncle Victor Raymond; aunt Lynn Litterer, and many relatives. He was predeceased by his grandfather, Elgie Raymond on August 28, 2015.
Fred dearly loved all of his relatives and each of them have beautiful, wonderful memories of their times with him. He loved to laugh and had an infectious wry sense of humor. He teased, smiled and winked and enjoyed conversation.
Fred participated in the arts with a focus on the hip-hop culture and the production and documentation of graffiti. These interests led him to promote shows and concerts and, in turn, he made many friends and acquaintances who admired his ability to put events together. He was prolific and gregarious with many social media followers as well.
Fred maintained a close and treasured relationship with God. During recent years, he studied the bible extensively and urged everyone to place their faith in Jesus Christ. He told us that Jesus has done what was needed to save our souls and that it was up to us to choose if we will live our lives according to his teachings. He enjoyed and respected the Native American Church, especially singing and drumming with his father.
Fred maintained dignity in spite of pain and suffering. He said he did not feel sorry for himself because others had it much worse. His last words were that he was not in pain. Grandma Cliona loved him without fail and did everything to allow him to spend his last days at home as opposed to a hospital or hospice facility. After his spirit left, Grandma Cliona said that he is now an angel walking on two legs. The family appreciates all of the prayers and support Fred received and we expresses our thanks to all who helped him.
A Service will be held Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd NE, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Dini NAC Spiritual Leader Daniel Johnson will officiate.
Memorial donations in Fred's name may be sent to the Ascension Chapel Cemetery Association, care of Lynelle Anderson at 31150 296 St. Winner, SD 57580. Please visit our online guestbook for Fred at www.FrenchFunerals.com.
FRENCH - Westside
9300 Golf Course Rd NW
505-897-0300