Tabaaha Cingliaq Shirley

Tabaaha Cingliaq Shirley, a very generous, caring and giving young man left this earth on January 1, 2021. Tabaaha was born in Anchorage, Alaska on June 8, 2005. Since the day he was born, he showered everyone he met with kindness be it family, friends, or strangers.  He deeply loved and was so proud and happy he had such a big family from both Alaska and Arizona; it pleased him, each started with “A.” As an only child, he sought out friends to become his “bro” and “sis,” he loved his family of friends like his own.   He was always yearning to find ways to make others happy and make them feel that they can count on him for anything they might need. He was at his happiest when he was giving.

Tabaaha Cingliaq loved his names and learning the meaning and power of them. Tabaaha (Water Edge Clan) of the Navajo Nation, and Cingliaq, an elder Yupik Tribal woman who he was reincarnated, who was famously known as passionate fisherwoman. He loved to fish and swim. Tabaaha Cingliaq’s name collided in a mystic and beautiful way he understood.

Tabaaha’s passion in life was fishing! He caught his first fish at 3-years old in Anchorage waters, his last fish caught was in Albuquerque waters. He was an expert fisherman, and fished rivers, lakes, streams, oceans, and bays. He caught all species of fish. He felt honored to follow Yupik Tribal traditions of sharing his catch with Elders and his grandmother. He understood, it is honorable to give to others and feed others with what you harvest from Mother Earth.  He loved video gaming…a lot. And loved the games that drive parents crazy! His first love, was his dog “Half-face.” Not once in the 12 years that these two loved each other, did he ever, lose patience, mistreat her, or scold her. “Half-face’s” daily morning chore was to jump into his bed and wake-up “her boy.” Tabaaha woke up every, single morning the past 12 years with doggy-luv-luvs.

Left on this earth to continue with his spirit guiding us, is his Alaska Yupik Tribe Family: Mom, Jacqueline; Grandma Gemma; Auntie Geraldine; Great Aunties Colette, Mary Jane, Bernadette; Great-Uncle Allen, and numerous, numerous, cousins and extended Yupik namesake family members.  Arizona Navajo Tribe Family: Dad, John; Grandpa Edward Sr; Uncles Edward Jr; Leonard; Edgar; Aunties Marcella, Cynthia, Glenda and again numerous cousins and Tribal Clan members.

Family who Tabaaha is joining in the heavens are Great-grandma Bridget, Great-grandpa Fred Sr.  Grandpa Ken, Grandma Maggie, Uncles Roy, Thomas, Noel, James, Eugene, Fred Jr. Aunties Barbara, Pricilla, and Jennifer and many more beloved ones gone-too-soon as well.

Much loved, loved much. There will be a Private Funeral that will be livestreamed on the FRENCH website on Tuesday, January 12, 2020, at 1:00 p.m.