It is with profound sadness that Lawrence and Angela Big Sorrel Horse announce the sudden passing of their beloved son NATHAN WADE BIG SORREL HORSE. Nathan began his journey home to Omohka spatsiikoo (Great sand hills) on February 11, 2022. Nathan was born at the Calgary Foothills hospital at 11:50pm, he was 10 minutes shy of sharing the same birth date as his older brother, Jr. He resided in Calgary until he was about 21.
Nathan attended Albert Park and Bowness Elementary Schools. His Junior high years were spent at Ian Bazelgette Junior High. He attended Forest Lawn High School and Discovering choices for his high school years. Nathan was an avid athlete excelling at what he put his mind to. Nathan developed a love of basketball watching his father play in tournaments and city leagues. His father is the one who taught him everything he knew and always made sure the kids knew that there is no offense without a strong defense. His dad would spend evenings and weekends at the leisure centre, Talisman Center, YMCA and outdoor basketball courts throughout Calgary playing ball and influencing his sons, daughters and grandchildren. At age 7 he started playing for the Eastview basketball association in Calgary, AB. Nathan came in as an underdog, overlooked and underestimated. He quickly made a statement and turned heads dominating the courts taking the MVP and 3-point shoot outs. Nathan was an all-around ball player, dropping 3’s like it was nobody’s business, posting up and being a beast on defense. He could run and execute plays when needed and drive it in on offense. This man loved the game and excelled in every position thrown his way. Nathan joined 3-on-3 tournaments with his younger brother (partner in crime) LT, known as the 1-2 hit on the court. He also played in tournaments with his 2 other brothers Waylon and Jr. All four played in tournaments together winning some, losing some but always showing up to do what they loved, playing ball! Nathan went to Renfrew Boys and Girls Club, Aboriginal Student Club, Aboriginal Youth in Motion and did journalism with USAY magazine and attended the Ghost River Rediscovery program. He also did a summer youth media project with Y7G program offered through YMCA Calgary. Nathan attended several programs offered through YMCA and was always at the aboriginal open gym nights throughout Calgary. Nathan was very involved with the aboriginal youth community in Calgary attending youth conferences throughout Alberta and was given a seat as an aboriginal youth ambassador for Calgary at the age of 17. Nathan was a very ambitious and entrepreneurial boy and it showed in his energetic and charismatic work ethic at a very young age. By age 11 he and his brother LT began their own business shoveling sidewalks, cleaning yards, and mowing lawns. Between the age of 12-14 they picked up paper routes in the Marlborough Park area. At age 15 Nathan started work experience with his dad in framing and construction. He worked with Habitat for humanity for a year and held seasonal positions at different Calgary Stampede Venues. When the internet café was introduced to Calgary area, he found he was a natural in the on-line gaming community. Prompting him to pick up day jobs to pay for hours at the internet café in Marlborough Park. He was such a prominent figure in that internet café they even had computers set aside for him knowing he and his brother would be in daily. Nathan and LT competed in national online, all night gaming tournaments at different host venues throughout Calgary. Nathan loved the mountains where we often went camping during the summers throughout Alberta, BC, and the island. Nathan was always planning ahead, never failing to have an agenda prepared for him and his siblings on our outings. His siblings called him the big planner because he liked to organize his outings with family. He was big on making memories, having fun, and enjoying the moment.
At age 19 Nathan met Cheyenne Plaited Hair and in July 2011 they blessed us with his “lovebug” Lexie Big Sorrel Horse. He later met the love of his life Alice Elizabeth Crow Shoe-One Owl. Together they brought three beautiful girls into the world Madison, Mileena and Miranda Big Sorrel Horse. Nathan was a loving father and always did his best to provide for them, making sure they had what they needed. You could even say he spoiled his daughters. Nathan continued to play basketball hoping his daughters would pick up the love of the game. He worked with his dad and brothers doing commercial framing and construction with PWF(ProWest Framing) and Bouvry exports up until he became ill. Nathan was a very forgiving and humble guy. Anytime his siblings would try get into mischief in their younger years he was always quick to say “remember what mom said, Creator is always watching”. Always looking on the bright side and choosing to be kind. He was that uncle and brother who made the time for his daughters, siblings, nieces, and nephews. Often planning family trips to the pool, buying out rows at the theater for family movie nights, bringing everyone to fun events and buying concert tickets for him, his dad, and siblings. Nathans greatest love was his father, mother, daughters and family!! Nathan loved and adored his mother and father making it a point to give them hugs on arrival and departure never forgetting to say “I love you”. Always calling in to check in and just talk with mom and dad. He connected with his daughters, nieces, nephews, and brothers daily, talking and chatting through online gaming. They would set a time for everyone to be online and they’d go in as a clan and game out. Nathan was known as a gentle giant to all who met him. His presence will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved him, he was just that great!
Nathan is survived by his parents Lawrence and Angela Big Sorrel Horse, Daughters Lexie, Madison, Mileena and Miranda Big Sorrel Horse and step-son Kayden One Owl. Sisters Niki, Lennie(Jesse) Creighton, Dora-Lee Big Sorrel Horse, Tierra Creighton, Tamara(Sash) and Tonya Hunt, Kelly and Arnelle Thompson, Tia Daniels, Willow Big Sorrel Horse, Shyann Big Sorrel Horse, Cherida Tailfeathers, Michelle Many Chiefs, Deanna(Stacy) Woods, Kayla Pard, Tracey(Barclay), Tamara and Charmaine Big Sorrel Horse, Kimberly, Kristen, Delia, Kristal and Shayla(Marvin) Big Sorrel Horse and Nicole(Ryan) Olsen, Nicole(Brent), Bernadette and Jenna Eagle Plume, Patti(Lee) and Rochelle Standing Alone, Candace(Mike) and Tyrike Standing Alone, Tricia(Daylin) Eagle Plume, Nikera and Aireanna Right Hand, Rubyann and Lorissa(Pete) Standing Alone, Tasha(Grant) Storm. Brothers Waylon(Brightstar) and LT(Leanne) Big Sorrel Horse, Jonathan(Rona) Big Sorrel Horse, Kayden Creighton, Dennis(Rebecca) Olsen, Jonathan Williams, Faron Many Chiefs Jr. Shane and Theodore(Darcie) Ramsey, River, Raven and sage Big Sorrel Horse, Riley Big Sorrel Horse, Troy and Justin Big Sorrel Horse, Brad and Kyle Big Sorrel Horse, Devon(Jessica) Standing Alone, Benji(Kasey), Gilbert Jr, Mark and Trent Standing Alone, Vernon(Star) Eagle Plume, Brett and Emitt Medicine Crane/Cutter. Ryan, Dickie, Andrew (Carol) Standing Alone. Aunts Teresa Burnette, Lorna(Merlin) Eagle Plume, Delia Many Chiefs, Tina Tallow, Karen(Bedford) Pard, Joyce(Sheldon) Many Chiefs, Shelly, Sherri, Ivy, Vicki(Clinton) Big Sorrel Horse, Jennifer, Stephanie(Pepsi), Rose(Collin), Ruby Eagle Child, Joy Yellow Fly, Paulie Yellow Fly, Debbie Yellow Fly, Alphina Yellow Fly and Wanda(Preston) Gros Venture Boy. Uncles Ronald(Rochelle) Cutter, Gilbert Standing Alone, Marvin Many Chiefs, Leslie(Shelley) Big Sorrel Horse, Robert Big Sorrel Horse, Eugene Yellow Fly, Robin Big Snake, Stan Big Sorrel Horse and Brent(Angie) BSH. Special friends Jesse Crane Bear, Randy “Daytona” Parsons, Jordy Applegarth, Drew White, Darcy “MadCow” Black Kettle, CJ Eagle Speaker, Kenny Wells, Leo Bergeron, Charles and Lewis Provost, Larissa Wolf Child and Kelly Funk. Nathan was unbiased, open, and fair when it came to getting to know people and because of this quality he made numerous friends in and around Calgary and if we have forgotten anyone the family apologizes.
Nathan is predeceased by His brother Alroy “Jr” Creighton, the love of his life Alice Elizabeth Crow Shoe-One Owl. Maternal Grandparents: Mary Ruby Standing Alone, Ronald Charles Cutter Sr. (Mable GVB), Paternal Grandparents: Robert Big Sorrel Horse, Dora Many Chiefs, Paternal Traditional grandparents Gilbert and Beatrice Big Sorrel Horse. Father-in-law Edward One Owl. Special great aunt/grandma, Mary-rose Many Chiefs Aunts: Doris, Delores and Lorna(Storm) Standing Alone, Brenda Eagle Speaker, Maryanne Tailfeathers and Dolores Hairy Bull. Special Aunts Vivian Across The Mountain-Left Hand and Evangeline Yellow Fly. Uncles: Faron Many Chiefs, Gilbert Big Sorrel Horse Jr., Darryl Daniels, Willy Hunt Jr., Fred Weasel Head. Cousins: Olivia Thompson, Joslyn Big Sorrel Horse, Wanetta Hunt, Brittany Medicine Crane, Sandra Many Chiefs, Olivia Williams, Shawn Big Sorrel Horse, Deon Crazybull, Kevin Many Chiefs, Collin “Cj” Mills Jr., Alton, Leland and Shae Standing Alone Brother-in-law Darryl Shot Both Sides and nephews Gilbert Royce Big Sorrel Horse and Isaiah Crow Child.
The Wake Service will be held on Sunday, February 20 from 6:00 - 11:00 pm at White Calf Hall, Stand Off, AB. The Funeral Service will take place on Monday, February 21 at 11:00 am at White Calf Hall, Stand Off, AB. Interment to follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery.