ACROSS THE MOUNTAIN
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our loving brother and uncle, JAMES ACROSS THE MOUNTAIN, “Niinamskaan” (Sacred Bundle Owner), on November 5, 2021 in Cardston, AB at the age of 72 years. James was born on November 29, 1948 in Cardston, AB to the late John and Lily (Shot Both Sides) Across The Mountain. James attended St. Mary’s residential school and later attended Nechi training to become an Addictions counsellor. James also found employment as a life skills coach as well as a janitor for the middle school and high school on the Blood Reserve. James was a very vocal person, especially when it involved Indigenous issues within his community or other Indigenous communities. During the AIM movement he travelled to the US to support the AIM protest where he developed many friendships. James also had the opportunity to travel the US with his special friend Sheryl. The two lived in San Francisco, CA and travelled to the Grand Canyon and gathering of Nations Pow-Wow in Albuquerque, New Mexico and even drove to Maine in a small second-hand car. Upon returning home, James enjoyed time with family, birthday dinners, weddings, graduations and was always a huge support to his many nieces and nephews. James was always proud of their accomplishments. He was also a huge support in many community activities, especially in Isoitapi, often volunteering for various committees. James’ favourite pastimes included playing bingo, listening to music from his CD collection, watching movies, cruising with his good friend Sam Day Chief, along with his brother Joe, whom he was caregiver to. James also had a great love for his chihuahuas and had four that preceded him in death: Coco, Ginger, Chico, and Nico were treated as though they were his children and he was devastated when they passed. James comes from a strong line of lineage. His paternal grandfather Shot Both Sides was proud and would often tell his family, “look at our ancestors, we come from royalty.” James will be missed for his stubborn but caring personality, his willingness to always defend his family and his wisdom in both traditional and western knowledge. James leaves to mourn his siblings, Joe and Norbert Across The Mouuntain, Christine (Jeff) Delorme, adopted sisters, MaryAnn Across The Mountain (Les), Margaret (Ron) McDonald; uncle Donald Big Swallow; two special nieces Roxanne and Pamela,; goddaughter Estelle Big Sorrel Horse; numerous nieces and nephews; many relatives in Across The Mountains, Shot Both Sides, Eagle Plume, Eva Hind Bull family, Donald Big Swallow family and many other relatives too numerous to mention. James was predeceased by his parents John and Lily Across The Mountain; siblings, Marystella (Paul Sr.) Bare Shin Bone, Rodger (Cecile) Across The Mountain, Isabelle (Frank) Cole, Bernadette (Paul Sr.) Hairy Bull, Lily (Percy) Big Sorrel Horse and Mary Across The Mountain, Paternal grandparents Sahtoh and Sihk’kiyakii (Black Bear Woman), maternal grandparents Shot Both Sides and Drums in the Water; Nieces and Nephews, Paul Jr. (Louise), Frederick, Edna, Patrick, Allan (Tara), Bruce (Carol) Bare Shin Bone, Bobby and Vivian Across The Mountain, Charles “Franky” Cole, Reo, Paul Jr. and Delores Hairy Bull, Calvin, Loyd, Verna, Norma, Collen, Norman, Roger Jr., and Leon Across The Mountain.
A Family Service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Thursday, November 18 from 5:00 - 6:00 pm followed by the Wake Service at Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve from 7:00 - 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held at Senator Gladstone Hall on Friday, November 19 at 11:00 am. Interment in Pioneer Cemetery.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our loving brother and uncle, JAMES ACROSS THE MOUNTAIN, “Niinamskaan” (Sacred Bundle Owner), on November 5, 2021 in Cardston, AB at the age of 72 years. James was born on November 29, 1948 in Cardston, AB to the late John and Lily (Shot Both Sides) Across The Mountain. James attended St. Mary’s residential school and later attended Nechi training to become an Addictions counsellor. James also found employment as a life skills coach as well as a janitor for the middle school and high school on the Blood Reserve. James was a very vocal person, especially when it involved Indigenous issues within his community or other Indigenous communities. During the AIM movement he travelled to the US to support the AIM protest where he developed many friendships. James also had the opportunity to travel the US with his special friend Sheryl. The two lived in San Francisco, CA and travelled to the Grand Canyon and gathering of Nations Pow-Wow in Albuquerque, New Mexico and even drove to Maine in a small second-hand car. Upon returning home, James enjoyed time with family, birthday dinners, weddings, graduations and was always a huge support to his many nieces and nephews. James was always proud of their accomplishments. He was also a huge support in many community activities, especially in Isoitapi, often volunteering for various committees. James’ favourite pastimes included playing bingo, listening to music from his CD collection, watching movies, cruising with his good friend Sam Day Chief, along with his brother Joe, whom he was caregiver to. James also had a great love for his chihuahuas and had four that preceded him in death: Coco, Ginger, Chico, and Nico were treated as though they were his children and he was devastated when they passed. James comes from a strong line of lineage. His paternal grandfather Shot Both Sides was proud and would often tell his family, “look at our ancestors, we come from royalty.” James will be missed for his stubborn but caring personality, his willingness to always defend his family and his wisdom in both traditional and western knowledge. James leaves to mourn his siblings, Joe and Norbert Across The Mouuntain, Christine (Jeff) Delorme, adopted sisters, MaryAnn Across The Mountain (Les), Margaret (Ron) McDonald; uncle Donald Big Swallow; two special nieces Roxanne and Pamela,; goddaughter Estelle Big Sorrel Horse; numerous nieces and nephews; many relatives in Across The Mountains, Shot Both Sides, Eagle Plume, Eva Hind Bull family, Donald Big Swallow family and many other relatives too numerous to mention. James was predeceased by his parents John and Lily Across The Mountain; siblings, Marystella (Paul Sr.) Bare Shin Bone, Rodger (Cecile) Across The Mountain, Isabelle (Frank) Cole, Bernadette (Paul Sr.) Hairy Bull, Lily (Percy) Big Sorrel Horse and Mary Across The Mountain, Paternal grandparents Sahtoh and Sihk’kiyakii (Black Bear Woman), maternal grandparents Shot Both Sides and Drums in the Water; Nieces and Nephews, Paul Jr. (Louise), Frederick, Edna, Patrick, Allan (Tara), Bruce (Carol) Bare Shin Bone, Bobby and Vivian Across The Mountain, Charles “Franky” Cole, Reo, Paul Jr. and Delores Hairy Bull, Calvin, Loyd, Verna, Norma, Collen, Norman, Roger Jr., and Leon Across The Mountain.
A Family Service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Thursday, November 18 from 5:00 - 6:00 pm followed by the Wake Service at Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve from 7:00 - 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held at Senator Gladstone Hall on Friday, November 19 at 11:00 am. Interment in Pioneer Cemetery.