Advertisement

Norma <I>Turner</I> Behill

Advertisement

Norma Turner Behill

Birth
Death
18 Aug 2011 (aged 80)
Auberry, Fresno County, California, USA
Burial
Auberry, Fresno County, California, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source
Norma was born on March 5, 1931, and passed away on Thursday, August 18, 2011, at the age of 80 years old.

She was a prominent, nationally known Native American Elder and spiritual leader affiliated with the local Mono and Dumna tribes from the Auberry, North Fork, and Table Mountain areas.

In addition to being a recognized Medicine-person among Indian tribes throughout California, she was also known statewide as a renowned traditional basketmaker, cultural expert, tribal historian, storyteller, and community activist.

Beginning in the early 1970's she became a major figure in the revitalization of traditional California Indian cultural and spiritual practices throughout the local area and around the state.

She was instrumental in the revival of the Bear Dance ceremony in Yosemite and supported traditional ceremonies of other tribes. She dedicated her life working with local Indian youth and children, developing innovative cultural and education programs based on native traditional and spiritual teachings.

Over the past forty years, thousands of local Indian youth attended her traditional gatherings, which emphasized 'Walking the Red Road' and abstaining from drugs and alcohol.

She helped establish the first Native American alcohol recovery program in the Fresno area (Turtle Lodge), and served on the board of several statewide organizations, such as California Traditional Indian Health Program and California Indian Basketmaker's Association (CIBA). Mrs. Behill's loss to the local Indian tribes and community is immeasurable.

Surviving is her son, Keith Turner of Fresno; daughter, Carrie Edd of Auberry; granddaughter Candice; and two grandchildren.

Also surviving are sisters, Joan Lee, Shirley Clark, Julie Turner, and Gay Turner; brothers, Donald Turner and Jacky Turner.

Viewing will be held at Clovis Funeral Chapel (Clovis and Barstow) on Thursday, August 25, 2011, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Traditional Cry Dance Ceremony to be held at the Turner residence in Auberry on Friday evening, August 26, 2011.

Traditional Native American Graveside Service is scheduled at the Big Sandy Rancheria Cemetery on Saturday, August 27, 2011, beginning at 11:00 a.m., followed by dinner at Big Sandy Rancheria Community Center.

Everyone is welcome to come honor Norma Turner's life.

Published in the Fresno Bee from August 25 to August 26, 2011

Norma was born on March 5, 1931, and passed away on Thursday, August 18, 2011, at the age of 80 years old.

She was a prominent, nationally known Native American Elder and spiritual leader affiliated with the local Mono and Dumna tribes from the Auberry, North Fork, and Table Mountain areas.

In addition to being a recognized Medicine-person among Indian tribes throughout California, she was also known statewide as a renowned traditional basketmaker, cultural expert, tribal historian, storyteller, and community activist.

Beginning in the early 1970's she became a major figure in the revitalization of traditional California Indian cultural and spiritual practices throughout the local area and around the state.

She was instrumental in the revival of the Bear Dance ceremony in Yosemite and supported traditional ceremonies of other tribes. She dedicated her life working with local Indian youth and children, developing innovative cultural and education programs based on native traditional and spiritual teachings.

Over the past forty years, thousands of local Indian youth attended her traditional gatherings, which emphasized 'Walking the Red Road' and abstaining from drugs and alcohol.

She helped establish the first Native American alcohol recovery program in the Fresno area (Turtle Lodge), and served on the board of several statewide organizations, such as California Traditional Indian Health Program and California Indian Basketmaker's Association (CIBA). Mrs. Behill's loss to the local Indian tribes and community is immeasurable.

Surviving is her son, Keith Turner of Fresno; daughter, Carrie Edd of Auberry; granddaughter Candice; and two grandchildren.

Also surviving are sisters, Joan Lee, Shirley Clark, Julie Turner, and Gay Turner; brothers, Donald Turner and Jacky Turner.

Viewing will be held at Clovis Funeral Chapel (Clovis and Barstow) on Thursday, August 25, 2011, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Traditional Cry Dance Ceremony to be held at the Turner residence in Auberry on Friday evening, August 26, 2011.

Traditional Native American Graveside Service is scheduled at the Big Sandy Rancheria Cemetery on Saturday, August 27, 2011, beginning at 11:00 a.m., followed by dinner at Big Sandy Rancheria Community Center.

Everyone is welcome to come honor Norma Turner's life.

Published in the Fresno Bee from August 25 to August 26, 2011



Sponsored by Ancestry

Advertisement

  • Created by: dot
  • Added: Aug 25, 2011
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75484592/norma-behill: accessed ), memorial page for Norma Turner Behill (5 Mar 1931–18 Aug 2011), Find a Grave Memorial ID 75484592, citing Big Sandy Rancheria Tribal Cemetery, Auberry, Fresno County, California, USA; Maintained by dot (contributor 46604592).