It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our loving and only son, Josam Bernard Across The Mountain- Many Shots, on Sunday August 20, 2023, at home in Issoitapi. Josam was born on March 1, 2000, at the Lethbridge Regional Hospital to Terrance and Nora Many Shots. Josam leaves to mourn his parents, Terrance and Nora, sisters Aisha (Mack), Lorena and Kobe. Adopted siblings Sonya Chief Moon and Luke (Danielle) Hairy Bull. Niece’s Addyson and Zaiyah, nephew Dominic, maternal grandmother Evelyn Across the Mountain (Patrick), paternal grandfather Duane Chief Moon (Ramona), aunt’s Cammy Across the Mountain (Sonya), Jocelyn Many Shots (Damien), Jeremy and Cassandra Many Shots, Melanie White Man (Dick). Uncles Todd Across the Mountain, Tony, Adam and Tyson Mills. Odell (Jessica) and Brendan Many Shots. Cousin’s Marie, Todd Jr, and Aiden Across The Mountain. Great Aunts Christine (Melvin) White Man, Helen, Cecile and Ida Many Shots, Corrine Eagle Plume. Great Uncles’ Timothy “Mikey” Many Shots, James Gurney. Great, great Aunts Margaret Across the Mountain (Ron), Maryann Across The Mountain (Les), Alice Wolf Child. Great, great uncles Bruce (Ann Marie) Wolf Child, John (late Irma) Wolf Child. Relatives in the Across The Mountain, Hairy Bull, Chief Moon, Shot Both Sides, Many Shots, and Wolf Child families. Josam was predeceased by older sister Terri and nephew Zayden Many Shots, paternal grandmother Connie Many Shots, great grandparents Martin and Theresa (ATM) Hairy Bull, Bernard and Ella (Chief Moon) Shot Both Sides, Louis and Rita (Wolf Child) Many Shots. Great aunts Lisa Across The Mountain, Bernadine Chief Moon, Marcella, and Lavern Many Shots. Great uncles Ronald Across the Mountain (Rose Mary), Terrence, Martin Jr. Across The Mountain, Shawn, Tommy, Marvin, and Darcy Many Shots, Randall Black Plume. Cousins Lena Bull Shields and Ameila White Man.
Josam was the youngest child and only son of Nora and Terrance, and the first great grandson of Martin and Theresa, to honor the strong lineage Josam came from, Grandma Evelyn named him after all three of his grandfathers in the Across The Mountain, Hairy Bull and Shot Both Sides families. Being the first and only boy Josam was very favored and spoiled by his parent’s, his great grandparent’s and extended family. Grandpa Martin also gave him Grandpa Bernard’s Blackfoot name “Naataakooh’kitoopii.” Josam was very fortunate to have been brought up with rich Blackfoot traditions. Josam had a traditional upbringing, not only did his parent’s raise him, late aunt Bernadine Chief Moon and late uncle Jordan Healy also cared for Josam as a toddler. Big sister Aisha also helped raise him and Terri. Great grandparents Martin & Theresa and great grandpa Bernard also took part in raising him. Josam had a close bond with his sisters and although he was rough and rambunctious at times, he always protected his sisters and nieces. Josam also had a very close bond and friendship with each of his cousin’s and they formed they’re club, “Green Clover Gang.” When Terrance and Nora moved out to Levern, Josam spent a lot of time with grandparents Martin and Theresa where he learned a lot of Blackfoot, enjoyed grandma’s Bannock, frybread, meat and fried potatoes. In his younger years Josam developed close relationships with all his aunt’s and uncle’s, everyone instantly favored him and spoiled him with treats, and he was often taken on family trips or daily drives with Grandpa Martin. Josam received his schooling at Ahsaopi elementary school, TMS and Kainai High school. After high school Josam took part in the Job ready program, which encouraged him to run his own little tipi peg and button business. Grandpa Martin, dad Terrance and Uncle Marty all taught Josam the necessary skills to harvest tipi poles, buttons and pegs. Josam also enjoyed watching wrestling, John Cena being his favorite wrestler. Josam also helped every year with the family’s Beaver Bundle ceremony, from preparing the sweat to putting up the tipi. Josam along with Luke was often depended on by other society members to help put up tipis which he enjoyed. Josam was often quiet but was often open to his cousins whom he loved like brothers, Luke, Tyson, Baby Chris and Chayton who called him “Jojo.” When grandpa Martin became sick Josam stayed beside him at home and in the hospital, never leaving his side. When grandpa left, Josam stayed on at the house and took care of Luke, often cooking for him. Josam enjoyed cooking, when he went home to Nora and Terrance, he often cooked for them, and his family enjoyed everything he fed them. Being the only boy, Terrance and Josam not only looked alike, but shared the same humorous personality and like dad, Josam enjoyed being outdoors. They had a strong father and son bond. Josam often visited with mom Nora and told her stories of his friends, school and addressed her as “Na’aa.” Son, you brought clear skies when days were blue, we will never stop missing you. Josam will be deeply missed by all his family and friends.
A Candlelight Vigil will be held on Sunday, August 27 at 6:00 pm, house #14 in Issoitapi (Levern). A Wake Service will be held at Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve on Sunday, September 3 from 7:00 - 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held at Senator Gladstone Hall on Monday, September 4 at 11:00 am. Interment will take place in the Pioneer Cemetery.
Josam was the youngest child and only son of Nora and Terrance, and the first great grandson of Martin and Theresa, to honor the strong lineage Josam came from, Grandma Evelyn named him after all three of his grandfathers in the Across The Mountain, Hairy Bull and Shot Both Sides families. Being the first and only boy Josam was very favored and spoiled by his parent’s, his great grandparent’s and extended family. Grandpa Martin also gave him Grandpa Bernard’s Blackfoot name “Naataakooh’kitoopii.” Josam was very fortunate to have been brought up with rich Blackfoot traditions. Josam had a traditional upbringing, not only did his parent’s raise him, late aunt Bernadine Chief Moon and late uncle Jordan Healy also cared for Josam as a toddler. Big sister Aisha also helped raise him and Terri. Great grandparents Martin & Theresa and great grandpa Bernard also took part in raising him. Josam had a close bond with his sisters and although he was rough and rambunctious at times, he always protected his sisters and nieces. Josam also had a very close bond and friendship with each of his cousin’s and they formed they’re club, “Green Clover Gang.” When Terrance and Nora moved out to Levern, Josam spent a lot of time with grandparents Martin and Theresa where he learned a lot of Blackfoot, enjoyed grandma’s Bannock, frybread, meat and fried potatoes. In his younger years Josam developed close relationships with all his aunt’s and uncle’s, everyone instantly favored him and spoiled him with treats, and he was often taken on family trips or daily drives with Grandpa Martin. Josam received his schooling at Ahsaopi elementary school, TMS and Kainai High school. After high school Josam took part in the Job ready program, which encouraged him to run his own little tipi peg and button business. Grandpa Martin, dad Terrance and Uncle Marty all taught Josam the necessary skills to harvest tipi poles, buttons and pegs. Josam also enjoyed watching wrestling, John Cena being his favorite wrestler. Josam also helped every year with the family’s Beaver Bundle ceremony, from preparing the sweat to putting up the tipi. Josam along with Luke was often depended on by other society members to help put up tipis which he enjoyed. Josam was often quiet but was often open to his cousins whom he loved like brothers, Luke, Tyson, Baby Chris and Chayton who called him “Jojo.” When grandpa Martin became sick Josam stayed beside him at home and in the hospital, never leaving his side. When grandpa left, Josam stayed on at the house and took care of Luke, often cooking for him. Josam enjoyed cooking, when he went home to Nora and Terrance, he often cooked for them, and his family enjoyed everything he fed them. Being the only boy, Terrance and Josam not only looked alike, but shared the same humorous personality and like dad, Josam enjoyed being outdoors. They had a strong father and son bond. Josam often visited with mom Nora and told her stories of his friends, school and addressed her as “Na’aa.” Son, you brought clear skies when days were blue, we will never stop missing you. Josam will be deeply missed by all his family and friends.
A Candlelight Vigil will be held on Sunday, August 27 at 6:00 pm, house #14 in Issoitapi (Levern). A Wake Service will be held at Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve on Sunday, September 3 from 7:00 - 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held at Senator Gladstone Hall on Monday, September 4 at 11:00 am. Interment will take place in the Pioneer Cemetery.