BLACKBIRD – Travis Veaux Blackbird left to be with our Heavenly Father on Sunday, January 11, 2015 at Mercy Medical Center, Durango, Colorado. Travis was born in Lawrence, Kansas on August 20, 1973 to Dr. Russell and Mrs. Ann Blackbird. He lived most of his life in Lawrence and Manhattan, Kansas.

Travis was a graduate of Lawrence High School; and Emporia State University, Emporia, Kansas receiving degrees in Social Work and Business Administration. Prior to becoming ill in 2010, he worked for the Southern Ute Indian Education Department, Ignacio, Colorado.

Travis was a double amputee and had experienced several health challenges. However, he remained positive and upbeat through the most difficult times. He enjoyed laughter, and teasing people to get them to laugh, too. He was an avid Kansas State University sports fan and attended a majority of the football bowl games. If he wasn’t reading, he was doing what he took pride in – Native American Art of beading.

Travis was an enrolled member of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Ignacio, Colorado. HE was also from the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska and Iowa. His Omaha name is Egahshun which refers to “one who goes far off and comes home again.” He is from the Earth Makers Clan of the Sky People from the Omaha Tribe. He was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church of Lawrence, Kansas, and the Native American Church of the Omaha tribe. He also belonged to the Omaha Helushka Society and Omaha Tiah-Piah Society.

He is survived by his parents of Ignacio, Colorado. One sister, Twyla, of Durango, Colorado. Grandparents, Clifford and Sarah Baker of Ignacio. Serveral grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, and cousins from Colorado, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.

He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Elmer and Nancy Blackbird; and Mabel Veaux Blackbird.

Omaha Tribal Native American Church services are pending in Macy, Nebraska. Mark Merrick, Jr. will be in charge. Burial will be at Omaha Tribal Cemetery, Macy, Nebraska. A memorial service will be held at a later date on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation.