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Obituary of Albert Many Bears
“Akohkiaayo”
October 27, 1935 - Siksika Nation, Alberta
May 2, 2022 - Strathmore, Alberta
It is with great sadness that the family of Albert Many Bears announce his sudden passing on Monday, May 2, 2022 at the age of 86 years.
Uncle Albert “Akohkiaayo” was the last remaining sibling to join our family at the Happy Hunting Grounds “Omahkspatsiko”; he is now united with grandpa Lynden & grandma Dorothy; his brothers, Edmond (Jean), Jim (Alice), Damien (Margaret), and Phillip (Lily); his sisters, Marie Many Bears, Emma (George) Fox-Many Feathers, Mary (Jack) Running Rabbit, Cecilia Many Heads, Cecile (Matthew) Many Guns, and Theresa (Arthur) Yellow Fly, and aunties, Beatrice (Joe) Poor Eagle and Margaret Bad Boy. Uncle Albert was the youngest of the family.
Our uncle grew up on the Many Bears ranch; he was a true horseman; he would ride his favorite horse Aap-Skii (White face) at the annual Lake McGregor thoroughbred horse races. Albert also won the annual race meet at Lake McGregor, in the Indian race event. All of the family horses had Siksika names. He was a champion chicken dancer and he travelled to many pow-wows in Canada, USA and at the Calgary Stampede, he won many pow-wows in the Chicken Dance category.
Our uncle was also one of the ten original A1 Club members, and he was the last surviving member of this original drum group; Phillip Little Chief, Amos Poor Eagle, Hugh Crow Chief, Ralph Crow Chief, John Sleigh, Harold Sleigh, Marcel Weasel Head, Pete Cayenne, and Mike Cat Face.
Our uncle was a humble man and good natured. Although he never had any children, he was a guardian to all his nieces and nephews.
Our uncle attended the Indian Residential School in Siksika until grade six. In later years, he moved to Calgary, AB where he resided for many years and was employed at the Calgary Sun until he retired in 1995 at the age of 60 years old.
Left to mourn his loss are his nieces, nephews and cousins. His extended families included the Many Bears, Many Heads, Many Guns, Yellow Fly, Poor Eagles, Duck Chief, Running Rabbit, Crowfoot, Fox, Three Suns, Back Fat, Wolf Leg, Royal, Cutter, Scout, Strangling Wolf, Pantherbone, Weasel Head, Shade, Hairy Bull and Wolf Child from Kainai and Spotted Eagles from Blackfeet Nation. We apologize if we missed anyone, as uncle Albert had many relatives.
We will miss our uncle very dearly but knowing he is going home to be with grandpa, grandma, his siblings, nieces, nephews, and other relatives too many to mention, it gives us peace knowing he is with our loved ones whom he missed very much.
The family of uncle Albert would like to acknowledge and thank all the staff of Sagewood Care Centre for taking good care of him for the past five years, especially the Langdon community staff that called him papa Albert; the staff include Michelle, Sarah, Shany, Jena, Parwinder, Marla, Parmjod, Abby, Lisa, Kim, Shirley, Devon, Cheyenne, Noah, Jen, Yunice, Sheri, Sefromla, and Mer Linda.
Wake will be held at Jackie Weasel Fat’s residence in Siksika, Map 4 (North Camp Community), NCR195 on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Trinity Church on Friday, May 6, 2022 at 1:00 p.m., with Father Long Vu presiding. Graveside to follow at Many Bear’s Cemetery. Traditional drive by feast to follow at Jackie Weasel Fat’s residence.
Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.
In living memory of Albert Many Bears, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.
