Blackfoot elder laid to rest on reserve

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On July 21, 1990, Jim Many Bears of the Siksika Nation passed away at Strathmore Hospital due to a heart attack. He was born on July 1, 1910 on the north side of the Elbow River by Fort Calgary and had just celebrated his 80th birthday.

Jim is survived by his wife Alice, three sons Al, Julius, and Francis; and two daughters Clara Many Bears and Teresa Knowlton. Jim also had five adopted sons and three adopted daughters: Brian Van De Wark, John Young, Ralph Klein, Isaac Dust, Al Higil, Ruth Scalplock, Annette Crane Bear and Sandee Bellegarde. He also has 25 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

The funeral service held July 26 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church at Cluny, Alberta was attended by over 1,000 individuals.

Honorary pallbearers were Eddie Little Bear, Dan North Peigan, Jack Curly Rider Sr., Pat Bear Hat Sr., Commor Stimson, Simon Wolfleg, Arthur A. Young Man Sr., Eddie Bad Eagle, John Healy, Joe Medicine Shield, Dan Weasel Moccasin and Joe Crow Shoe.

Funeral services were celebrated by the Rev. Bernard Black.

The procession to Crowfoot Cemetery was led by horseback by former chief Leo Pretty Young Man and present Chief Strater Crowfoot who were in full buckskin outfit and eagle headdress.

Jim was best known for his participation in the 1987 First Minister's Conference in Ottawa where he pulled together enough money for bus fare to Ottawa and went there to pray for the success of the conference. He was asked by the first ministers to partake in the official pipe ceremony that opened the conference.