Honoring Kira Norton

Today, on 𝗞𝗶𝗿𝗮 𝗬𝘂𝗷𝗮 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗼𝗻’𝘀 birthday, we honor and celebrate the beautiful life she lived and the lasting impact she made on those around her.

Born on March 3, 1996, Kira was a proud member of the Hoopa Valley Tribe and deeply valued her Yurok, Karuk, Cherokee, and Korean heritage. She embraced her culture with her whole heart, dedicating herself to ceremony, community, and education. She pursued a degree in Public Health Administration at UC Merced, always striving to make a meaningful difference.

Kira’s kindness and dedication extended into her work as Benefits Coordinator at Blue Lake Rancheria, where she helped employees navigate their healthcare and benefits with genuine care and compassion. She was a guiding presence, ensuring everyone she served felt supported and valued. In her memory, Blue Lake Rancheria has established the Norton Health Programs Scholarship, empowering Native American students pursuing health-related careers to follow their dreams—a legacy that reflects Kira’s spirit of generosity and service.

Above all, Kira cherished her family and friends. She found joy and strength in the connections she built, always showing up with love, laughter, and encouragement. Whether through her love for running, her deep faith, or her unwavering dedication to those she cared for, Kira was a light in the lives of so many.

“Kira, Happy 29th birthday. Today, I celebrate you and your beautiful soul. I miss you deeply and I am forever grateful for our friendship/cousin-ship. Love, Shayna” -Shayna McElroy

“Kira, your beauty and grace may be gone from my sight, but you are never gone from my heart.” -Arla Ramsey

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗞𝗶𝗿𝗮. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱.