In Loving Memory of Okan Gordon Troy Manyfingers
On behalf of the Blood Tribe Department of Health (BTDH), we mourn the loss of our beloved colleague, friend, and community pillar, Okan Gordon Troy Manyfingers.
Troy joined the BTDH Wellness Program in 2019 as a Client Case Coordinator. Over the years, his work became an integral part of our organization’s wellness initiatives. Troy was a central figure in the Men’s Support Group and the Day Treatment Program, providing a safe, encouraging space for individuals navigating their recovery.
Committed to saving lives and serving others, he completed his Indigenous Addictions Services Certificate with the Nechi Institute. He actively participated in organization-wide education, including Human Trafficking Awareness Training with the Calgary Police Services, and Overdose and Naloxone Education training.
Through the Wellness Program, Troy spearheaded and organized numerous fun runs for the reserve, bringing community members together in the spirit of health, connection, and joy.
Troy led by powerful personal example. An accomplished Ironman athlete, he believed that physical activity and movement were powerful forms of medicine, and he used his wellness journey to inspire countless others to take up running and begin their own journeys toward recovery.
Dr. Terri-Lynn Fox, former Director of the Wellness Program, shared these heartfelt words reflecting on Troy’s leadership:
“I remember Troy’s motivation, initiative, and dedication to the Fun Runs hosted by the Wellness Program. He believed that movement was healing. Community was healing. Encouraging one another was healing. He didn’t simply organize the runs—he participated alongside everyone who chose to join. Troy didn’t just believe those values; he lived them.
He carried his commitment to wellness through his athleticism, his humor, and his unwavering belief in people. Perhaps Troy’s greatest legacy was not the races he completed or the Fun Runs he organized, but the courage he awakened in others to begin their own journey toward healing.”
Troy’s contributions to the Blood Tribe Department of Health have left an everlasting mark on our team and the entire Blood Tribe community. We are grateful for every mile he ran with us, every story he shared, and every word of encouragement he gave.
Thank you, Troy.
Your race on this earth is complete, but your footsteps continue to guide us.
Please join us in keeping Troy’s loved ones in your prayers. He will be deeply missed by our entire organization.