Erika Risa Bad Hand, Tasunka Nunpa Win, “the Songbird of Taos” was born July 30, 1982 in Englewood, CO. She began her journey home across the Milky Way January 10, 2026, in Santa Fe, NM. She leaves behind her maternal grandmother, Arline Wiles; her parents, Howard and Terrie Bad Hand; her sister Erin Bad Hand, and brother-in-law Adam Kerr; her sister Kristina Maldonado Bad Hand, and brother-in-law Rafael Maldonado Bad Hand; brother Jeremy Bad Hand; sister Michelle Barsano; and nephews Wanbli and Cante Barsano Bad Hand, nephew Koda Maldonado Bad Hand; nephews Wicahpi, Mahpiya and Inyan Bad Hand Kerr, and only niece Elohi Bad Hand Kerr.

She was a graduate of Taos High School, Class of 2000. From there, she went on to graduate summa cum laude from the Colorado College, Colorado Springs in 2004 with a degree in Southwest Studies. She traveled during her time in school, visiting countries like England, Mexico, Canada, and Australia.

After graduating from CC, she worked with Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, and was a preschool teacher at Leaping Lizards. She also worked up at the Taos Ski Valley at the Children’s center for many years. She loved working with children and youth, and she loved to ski. Part of her heart was always with her students and up on that mountain. Her absence in the community is felt very deeply, by many different people from all walks of life.

It is hard to condense all we love about Erika into a short, concise obituary. 43 years is not enough time to love someone as much as we all loved her. She was bursting with song, even as a little girl. She loved to sing.

She sang any time she could, which led to an obsession with karaoke. When we were in college, she would randomly sing radio jingles. It always made us giggle. On our summer trips to see family in South Dakota, for ceremonies (she was a Sundancer), or powwows, we would belt it out as loud as we could, as we sang Alison Krauss or Elton John. She gave me (her older sister) courage to sing during my poetry performances, and often would sing with me. She sang at weddings and memorials. She was ALWAYS singing.

She gave the best hugs. She had so much love to give. She was fiercely protective of those she loved, and gleamed with pride about them, whatever their accomplishments. As a Leo, she carried this pride softly, and showed it by giving thoughtful gifts. She had the best laugh; it was deep and rich, and contagious. She also had no filter; whatever she was feeling at any given moment showed up immediately on her face, and sometimes came out of her mouth before she could stop it, which made us laugh uncontrollably, and sometimes it made us cry. She loved to read, had an impeccable memory, and adored anything that sparkled, from eyeshadow to earrings…and she required her sparkly jewelry to always be symmetrical, always.

We will be doing a Celebration of Life and release of Erika’s ashes in the Ski Valley in May 2026. Further details about time and location will be released at a later date so please bear with us. In lieu of flowers, a gofundme has been set up if you feel called to support the family in this way, or if you would like to honor her memory, attend the next karaoke session and dedicate a song to the Songbird of Taos.