JUSTIN DAVID LITTLE SHIELDS (CRANE)
Miisimohkitópii (Wild Horse Rider)
JUSTIN DAVID LITTLE SHIELDS (CRANE) was born on September 8, 1993 to the late Joselyn Cheryl Little Shields (2010) and David Crane. Justin made his journey to be with his mother on Saturday, March 18, 2023 in Calgary, Alberta. Justin is survived by his son Raiden Crane-Labelle, his brothers Devon (Josie), Brandon, Austin (T’Shonai), Asia, Sam, and Evan. His father David Crane, and nephews Jovin and Angelo.
Also left to mourn his passing are his uncles Neil Wolf Child, Joey White Man, Shawn Little Shields, Robert, Garth, and Mark Crane, Barnabus Tallman, John Chief Moon Jr., and Ernest Poundmaker; his aunties Felicia and Yolanda Little Shields, Veronica Provost, Annie Chief Moon, Rozalyn Prairie Chicken, Laurie Ann Dubois, Lenora Poundmaker, Toni Goodeagle, Darlene Meguiness, Wanda Crane (Mark), and Sherida Crane. Great-Aunts Monica Chief Moon, Shirley Prairie Chicken, Julianna Crazybull, Carol Bird, Shelley Crazybull, and Seraphine Blackface,
Justin will also be sadly missed by those most influential in his life as a cowboy many, many thanks to Stan and Gloria Cowley, Kateri Cowley, Leroy, Gerard, David and all others from Rafter Six Ranch; Bruce Iron Shirt of the Blood Reserve.
Justin was born in Calgary and lived most of his childhood there. He attended grade school in Calgary and continued his education at Kainai Middle School and Kainai High School. After losing his mother, Justin moved to Barnabus and Shirley’s ranch where he found his love for horses. The bond created with uncle Barnabus was that of a father, he was so eager to learn all he could from him regarding being a ranch hand he mastered all that he learned. He was so enthusiastic about riding he had no fear which was how he acquired his name “Miisimohkitópii”, Wild Horse Rider. Justin, together with his brothers Paul Tallman and Tyson Healy were the top cowboys at the Agriplex to break horses. Any rancher that needed a wild horse tamed, Justin, Paul and Tyson came highly recommended or requested. Justin’s love for horses soon got him a gig with Bruce Iron Shirt to break horses for him at his ranch.
Justin’s passion for the cowboy life was no match for those urges to sow his wild oats. He moved back to his hometown Calgary, and soon began his time with Rafter 6 Ranch where he worked as a tour guide and ranch hand. It was during this time when he met the love of his life Tia Labelle on one of his trips into the city. He would ride his bike from Rafter 6 to Morley to go see Tia, although their time together was short the love he had for his son Raiden never diminished. Those years living as a cowboy and a family man were the happiest times of his life, sadly not enough to help him overcome the battle of addictions.
Justin was a very hard worker it did not matter what job needed to be done he was up for the challenge. He was a jack-of-all-trades. He had all his WHIMIS tickets therefore had no trouble getting jobs. Even living on the streets did not deter him from working. He would be ready to do day jobs at 5 a.m. everyday. He was a resilient, self-motivated, kind hearted gentleman. Justin always took the C-train to the different places where his street friends took shelter to check on them and make sure they were okay and safe.
Justin will be missed by all his cousins and extended families too numerous to mention; all those who knew him, the many friends he made in Lethbridge, Calgary and on the Kainai Nation. Special thanks to Alpha House of Calgary for all that they do for our vulnerable, Constable Brittany King from Calgary City Police, and the Calgary Emergency Medical Services team for their help and support.
Justin was predeceased by his mother Joselyn Little Shields, nephew Ramiro Many Grey Horses – Little Shields, his maternal grandparents Lorne Prairie Chicken and Collette Little Shields, great-grandmother Lucy Prairie Chicken, paternal grandparents Leonard and Audrey Crane, uncle Lindy Crane and cousins Michael Crane and Crystal Tallman.
The Wake Service will be at the Laverne Community Hall, Blood Reserve, on Wednesday, March 29 from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held at the Moses Lake Community Hall on Thursday, March 30 at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Paul’s cemetery.
Miisimohkitópii (Wild Horse Rider)
JUSTIN DAVID LITTLE SHIELDS (CRANE) was born on September 8, 1993 to the late Joselyn Cheryl Little Shields (2010) and David Crane. Justin made his journey to be with his mother on Saturday, March 18, 2023 in Calgary, Alberta. Justin is survived by his son Raiden Crane-Labelle, his brothers Devon (Josie), Brandon, Austin (T’Shonai), Asia, Sam, and Evan. His father David Crane, and nephews Jovin and Angelo.
Also left to mourn his passing are his uncles Neil Wolf Child, Joey White Man, Shawn Little Shields, Robert, Garth, and Mark Crane, Barnabus Tallman, John Chief Moon Jr., and Ernest Poundmaker; his aunties Felicia and Yolanda Little Shields, Veronica Provost, Annie Chief Moon, Rozalyn Prairie Chicken, Laurie Ann Dubois, Lenora Poundmaker, Toni Goodeagle, Darlene Meguiness, Wanda Crane (Mark), and Sherida Crane. Great-Aunts Monica Chief Moon, Shirley Prairie Chicken, Julianna Crazybull, Carol Bird, Shelley Crazybull, and Seraphine Blackface,
Justin will also be sadly missed by those most influential in his life as a cowboy many, many thanks to Stan and Gloria Cowley, Kateri Cowley, Leroy, Gerard, David and all others from Rafter Six Ranch; Bruce Iron Shirt of the Blood Reserve.
Justin was born in Calgary and lived most of his childhood there. He attended grade school in Calgary and continued his education at Kainai Middle School and Kainai High School. After losing his mother, Justin moved to Barnabus and Shirley’s ranch where he found his love for horses. The bond created with uncle Barnabus was that of a father, he was so eager to learn all he could from him regarding being a ranch hand he mastered all that he learned. He was so enthusiastic about riding he had no fear which was how he acquired his name “Miisimohkitópii”, Wild Horse Rider. Justin, together with his brothers Paul Tallman and Tyson Healy were the top cowboys at the Agriplex to break horses. Any rancher that needed a wild horse tamed, Justin, Paul and Tyson came highly recommended or requested. Justin’s love for horses soon got him a gig with Bruce Iron Shirt to break horses for him at his ranch.
Justin’s passion for the cowboy life was no match for those urges to sow his wild oats. He moved back to his hometown Calgary, and soon began his time with Rafter 6 Ranch where he worked as a tour guide and ranch hand. It was during this time when he met the love of his life Tia Labelle on one of his trips into the city. He would ride his bike from Rafter 6 to Morley to go see Tia, although their time together was short the love he had for his son Raiden never diminished. Those years living as a cowboy and a family man were the happiest times of his life, sadly not enough to help him overcome the battle of addictions.
Justin was a very hard worker it did not matter what job needed to be done he was up for the challenge. He was a jack-of-all-trades. He had all his WHIMIS tickets therefore had no trouble getting jobs. Even living on the streets did not deter him from working. He would be ready to do day jobs at 5 a.m. everyday. He was a resilient, self-motivated, kind hearted gentleman. Justin always took the C-train to the different places where his street friends took shelter to check on them and make sure they were okay and safe.
Justin will be missed by all his cousins and extended families too numerous to mention; all those who knew him, the many friends he made in Lethbridge, Calgary and on the Kainai Nation. Special thanks to Alpha House of Calgary for all that they do for our vulnerable, Constable Brittany King from Calgary City Police, and the Calgary Emergency Medical Services team for their help and support.
Justin was predeceased by his mother Joselyn Little Shields, nephew Ramiro Many Grey Horses – Little Shields, his maternal grandparents Lorne Prairie Chicken and Collette Little Shields, great-grandmother Lucy Prairie Chicken, paternal grandparents Leonard and Audrey Crane, uncle Lindy Crane and cousins Michael Crane and Crystal Tallman.
The Wake Service will be at the Laverne Community Hall, Blood Reserve, on Wednesday, March 29 from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held at the Moses Lake Community Hall on Thursday, March 30 at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Paul’s cemetery.