Barbara Kipp

Barbara "Malia" Kipp of Ronan and Browning, Montana passed away on December 31, 2024 at St Patrick Hospital in Missoula. She is survived by her husband Randy Peak and their son Levi, and daughters Lee, MiQene, and Jayda Camel. In Ronan she coached Women' Basketball SKC and played in 3 on 3 tournaments. Rafting in the summer with Randy, Levi and their friends was a favorite pastime. She lived next to the beautiful Mission Mountains but she missed the plains and the sun of the Blackfeet Reservation and came home as often as she could. She said she always slept better when she heard the wind.

She is well known as a former Lady Griz basketball player, University of Montana 1992-1996. Malia was a pioneer in women's basketball as she was first Montana Native American women to receive a Division 1 scholarship.

Malia was the eldest child of Carl Dennis and Barbara Dee Ann Kipp. She was born in Browning June 30, 1974, and was named Barbara after both grandmothers and her mom. She is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe and of Oneida and Norwegian descendant. She grew up on the Blackfeet Reservation with many friends and multiple cousins from both sides of her family. Malia loved spending time with her grand folks and felt fortunate to have three sisters - Carly Byung-Ho, Kelli Pepion, Jen Kipp and three brothers- James Wippert, Mike Evans, Logan Kipp as well as an extended family that includes many cousins who have supported and encouraged her. Many nieces and nephews who adore her.

Malia enjoyed the freedom of the outdoors, riding bikes, floating Cut Bank Creek, swimming in St, Mary Lake, ice skating, sledding and Native dancing. She also loved to play basketball, first with her Dad and then also against the boys, especially her talented older cousins and family pick up games usually including her dad, godfather and kids of all ages.

Malia graduated with honors from Browning High School in 1992, lettering in three sports all four years, earning athletic records still standing today. During her senior year she was offered a basketball scholarship to the University of Montana by Coach Robin Selvig. She was so excited and honored to be playing for the Lady Griz and rightly so. They had a great program. In Missoula, the Lady Griz played before a sold-out arena of dedicated, supportive, and loud Lady Griz fans. Her team won 4 Big Sky Championships and went to 3 NCAA tournaments. Coach Selvig also took her team to Europe one summer where they traveled and played against European teams. Her team mates and Coach Selvig held a special place in her heart. Many of them were with her on her last days on earth including her coach. Rob came every day. Her Lady Griz family is with us today.

She made history by becoming the first female tribal member in Montana to earn a full-ride scholarship to play Division I college basketball. Each year in the U.S., nearly 5,000 high-school girls' basketball players earn a full-ride Division I scholarship. In 1992, Kipp was the only Native American. Living in two worlds presented challenges and so did the pressure to succeed as a University of Montana. Her tenure as a University of Montana Lady Griz, under legendary coach Robin Selvig, paved the way for another record-breaking moment ... her induction into the Montana Indian Athletic Hall of Fame as its first female member.

Malia's last Missoula home game was senior night. Earl Old Person requested to sing the Blackfeet Honor Song for her. Back then this took some discussion between the University and NCAA to be allowed. The Raw Hide Singers (Earl, Kenneth Old Person, Teddy Williamson, Archie St.Goddard, and Paul Old Chief) walked out and the entire packed house crowd rose, standing silently as Earl spoke. He explained the Honor song and why they were honoring Malia. He called her a warrior, fighting and representing Native Americans everywhere. This was always expected of her and she did it. Earl said she did her best. However, always being strong is a heavy responsibility. She was aware that others were watching her and she made it look easy even when it wasn't. Throughout her life, she was inspired by words spoken and lived by her Grandma Kipp, "No one said life would be easy. Know that it will be worth it."

After graduating from the University, Malia changed her career field. Her daughter Lee was born prematurely and spent 56 days in the Neonatal unit of the hospital. Malia was there every day. She decided then to become a nurse earning a degree from SKC and becoming a registered nurse for over 25 years. She loved working with the elderly. Later she worked as a teacher of all the medical classes at Kicking Horse Job Corps. Malia taught not just medical science and skills; she modeled and taught compassion. She told her students that she treated her patients as she would want someone to treat her grandmother. Many of her former students have gotten in touch with her over the years, thanking her and telling her they were still in the medical field and have gone on to other advanced degrees. This past week many of them have contacted her family, sharing how much she helped them and what she meant to them. After Kicking Horse was closed Malia worked for Tribal Health with the elderly. During COVID she was the only nurse to go to elders' homes when they needed medication or they were sick; testing them for COVID, Strep, and the flu. Then following up with needed care and medicine.

Malia had big heart. She frequently rescued stray dogs and cats, sometimes finding good homes for them or taking them into hers. She genuinely cared for the people she had as patients and students. She was loyal to her friends.

Malia leaves a large extend family who knew that she loved them. She was a devoted daughter, granddaughter, mother, sister, niece, auntie, cousin, nurse, friend, and teammate. She was humble and kind doing her best to help others. Malia's greatest love was her family. Her children and husband Randy were everything to her and they may miss her most of all.

Malia will be remembered as a barrier-breaking trailblazer and forever a WARRIOR. In her honor The Malia Kipp Memorial Scholarship in memory of Malia is being established at the University of Montana. For more information on the scholarship or to make a gift, please contact Dan Ingram at the University of Montana. dan.ingram@supportum.org, 406.243.6294.