Zana Mae Finley

Zana (Ender) Finley of Klamath, CA passed away in the evening hours of Tuesday, January 9, 2024. In her last days, she was surrounded by children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and dear friends. She was a beloved member of the community who was well-known for her kindness and generosity. In her final days, those around her shared many memories of this spirit.

She was born to Augustine (Hernandez) Ender and Catherine (Chavez) Ender on May 23, 1941, in Fort Washakie, Wyoming on the Wind River Indian Reservation. After graduating from Browning High School on the Blackfeet Reservation she attended the University of Montana. During High School, she worked at Snell Trading Post which led to her passion for Native Arts. For most of her adult life, she supported herself both with her own beadwork and by buying and selling the work of other Indigenous artists. She owned Kachina Trading Post in Oakland, California, sold at pow-wows and other cultural events, and supplied other dealers.

A member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, Zana was passionate about advancing the rights of her people. In 1978, Zana participated in The Longest Walk, an effort to raise awareness about threats to tribal lands and water rights. She was one of a small number to complete the full walk from San Francisco to Washington D.C. She served as one of the organizers and was responsible for traveling to towns in advance of the walkers' arrival to make the necessary arrangements.

Most of her years were spent on the Yurok Reservation with her partner Frankie Erickson and their family. Together they fought for fishing rights, supported their family, and were very involved in the tribal community. Their favorite time was spent at their "camp" in Shregon.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Augustine and Catherine Ender of Lander, WY; her brother, Augustine Ender Jr.; her partner, Frankie Erickson of Klamath, CA: her grandson, Willis "Weasel" Mann of Fort Washakie, WY; and her cousin/brother, Greg Pacheco of Fort Washakie, WY.

She is survived by her sister, Zola Nichols (Costa) and family; her daughters, Carla Schildt Mann (Jimmy), Shannon Finley, and Theresia Erickson (Erika); her son, Frank Erickson; her grandchildren, Joshua "Boogie" Mann, Brian Mann, Patrick Erickson, Jade Erickson and Bear Mueller; and her great-grandchildren Kyler and Kimber Mann.

After services for Zana in her cherished Redwoods of California, she will be brought home to her people in Wyoming for burial.

A Traditional Service will be held for Zana at Hudson's Funeral Home, Chapel of Mount Hope, 680 Mount Hope Drive, Lander, Wyoming at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 1 9th. A feast will take place immediately after the memorial service. She will be buried at Mount Hope Cemetery next to her grandson, Weasel.

Zana's family invites you to join them at these events to both celebrate her life and pray for her as she makes her journey to be with her ancestors.