In Memoriam of Carlan Tallbrother

Hello, my name is Carlandrea Tallbrother and I am Carlan Tallbrother’s little sister. He was struggling with his health the past years and we walked him through the process, hoping he were to get better eventually. It pains me knowing my brother isn’t here, but he isn’t hurting anymore and he isn’t suffering anymore with all the complications he was facing while alive. Carlan meant a lot to everyone in my family, his friends, and everyone who listened to RFH on X96. I am writing this because my family is in need of your help today with raising enough money to conjure up his celebration of life.

 

Carlan was the light in many people’s lives. Mine included. His smile, hilarious jokes and contagious laughter would fill the room. Not a soul in his presence was ever unhappy whenever he was around. He touched the lives of many, my family for sure being one of them. We are eternally grateful for having him in our lives for the short 36 trips he took around the sun. As a child, I couldn’t quite grasp what kind of a person he was, he was my brother but the more I learned about him, he was such an interesting individual. Someone with a lot of strength. Especially being an Indigenous gay man not being able to live his truth til 5 years ago. He inspired me a lot.

 

No amount of words will illustrate the pain my mom, dad, brother, and I feel. I don’t think anything could. But nothing could express our love for Carlan and how grateful we all were to be in his presence. I love you so much, Narnen. I hope you’re speaking to ma, nalí, Davy, Ambrose and so many other lovely family we lost. And I hope you finally get to meet Dolores O’Riordan and hear her sing.

 

You’re finally sliding on the rainbows of your childhood dreams. I hope one day, we reunite. And I will tell you everything about my life too. And how I was grateful to share that with you.

 

The pandemic has put a strain on our finances, like many families, and we are kindly and appreciatively asking for any donations to go towards Carlan’s end of life expenses. We are planning on having funeral services and will be escorting Carlan home to the Navajo Nation where he will be laid to rest next to his maternal grandparents in Shiprock, NM. Funding will largely go towards funeral expenses and transporting Carlan home. Any additional funding will go to my family to help offset other expenses related to our loss. Carlan was such a giving person and would not like to see his family struggling in our time of need. Any amount is greatly appreciated. Ahéhee’ (thank you) from the bottom of our hearts.