Morris Little Bear (Sii pii saa‘iks kaa pii /Walks wondrous with the night) was called home on April 20, 2021, after a brief illness. He passed peacefully at the age of 81, while surrounded by his children and family. Morris was born on December 17, 1939, to Kiisinoon/Edward and Maastoi’tso wakii /Ruth (Beebe) Little Bear and was the treasured grandson of Anatakii/ Hilda and Ah tso to/ Ben Strangling Wolf. He was the third eldest of seven brothers and one sister; William (Agnes), Gilbert (Philomena), Leroy (Amethyst), Patrick (Christine), Leonard (Beverly), Gary and his sister Beverly Hungry Wolf.
He was raised in the community of Dead Man’s Corner on the Blood reserve. He attended St. Mary’s residential school and spent summers in Vernon, B.C., as a Cadet. He started his rodeo career at the age of seventeen and was a tough contender winning many Rodeos where he made his mark. Morris was a gentle presence among his large extended family, he married Janet (Blood) and spent many years with her raising their six children. He was a proud supportive father to Lewis (Linda), Marcella, Donna, Cheryl, William (Kim), and Duane (Cheryl). He was a cherished grandpa to all his grandchildren and a loving uncle to his many nephews and nieces, with whom he had many fun times. Morris worked wherever employment was available, working in the orchards of Yakima, Washington, where he lived with his young family for a number of years, it is where he obtained his Pilot License to fly aircraft. He was a fire fighter and travelled the continent, he was a welder, a mechanic and he also sang and played guitar. As Indigenous peoples are well known for their experiential approach to life, Morris was no exception; he loved learning through practical ‘hands-on’ experience. He was well known for his skills fixing cars, farm machinery, wood and leather craft: all self-taught. He loved to explore. Part of this exploratory nature manifested in his love of travel. Being on the road was one of his favourite things in his life. Morris was employed throughout his life in many occupations; as a ranch hand at Blood Band Ranch and was employed for twenty years with Blood Band Farms. He worked at East Glacier, Montana as a maintenance worker, and was a Guard with Blood Tribe Police. In his later years he was introduced to auditioning as an extra/actor by his nephews Okan and Iniskim. Morris performed as a stuntman and a model. Morris crafted exact replicas of Saddle Bronc saddles and gifted them to family. He led an adventurous and inquisitive life and was of proud and respectful character. Morris was the patriarch of five generations, he was a strong silent support in the many endeavours of his children and grandchildren. He lived out his life at home with his daughter Marcella and their many small dogs. He enjoyed his visitors and ensured their comfort.
He leaves behind his 22 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren, as well as his step children Bobby, Kim, Wacey, Simone and Reva. He was predeceased by Ed, Ruth, Hilda, his brothers Willie, Gilbert, Paddy, Leonard, Leo Roger and sister Evelyn Rose, Janet, Emmy Lou, Dolly, Jude, Tyler, Tawny Jo, Okan, Emma (George) Many Feathers, Bernard Eagle Plume, Howard (Mabel) Beebe, and Joe (Ruth) Alden from Crow Agency.
A Viewing will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Monday, April 26, 2021 from 9:00 to 11:00 am with a Family Service to follow at 11:00 am. (COVID regulations will be implemented - Only 20 people will be allowed into the service) Interment to follow at Little Bear Family Cemetery.
To Send Condolences Click Here.
To Watch the Livestream of the Service Click Here.
He was raised in the community of Dead Man’s Corner on the Blood reserve. He attended St. Mary’s residential school and spent summers in Vernon, B.C., as a Cadet. He started his rodeo career at the age of seventeen and was a tough contender winning many Rodeos where he made his mark. Morris was a gentle presence among his large extended family, he married Janet (Blood) and spent many years with her raising their six children. He was a proud supportive father to Lewis (Linda), Marcella, Donna, Cheryl, William (Kim), and Duane (Cheryl). He was a cherished grandpa to all his grandchildren and a loving uncle to his many nephews and nieces, with whom he had many fun times. Morris worked wherever employment was available, working in the orchards of Yakima, Washington, where he lived with his young family for a number of years, it is where he obtained his Pilot License to fly aircraft. He was a fire fighter and travelled the continent, he was a welder, a mechanic and he also sang and played guitar. As Indigenous peoples are well known for their experiential approach to life, Morris was no exception; he loved learning through practical ‘hands-on’ experience. He was well known for his skills fixing cars, farm machinery, wood and leather craft: all self-taught. He loved to explore. Part of this exploratory nature manifested in his love of travel. Being on the road was one of his favourite things in his life. Morris was employed throughout his life in many occupations; as a ranch hand at Blood Band Ranch and was employed for twenty years with Blood Band Farms. He worked at East Glacier, Montana as a maintenance worker, and was a Guard with Blood Tribe Police. In his later years he was introduced to auditioning as an extra/actor by his nephews Okan and Iniskim. Morris performed as a stuntman and a model. Morris crafted exact replicas of Saddle Bronc saddles and gifted them to family. He led an adventurous and inquisitive life and was of proud and respectful character. Morris was the patriarch of five generations, he was a strong silent support in the many endeavours of his children and grandchildren. He lived out his life at home with his daughter Marcella and their many small dogs. He enjoyed his visitors and ensured their comfort.
He leaves behind his 22 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren, as well as his step children Bobby, Kim, Wacey, Simone and Reva. He was predeceased by Ed, Ruth, Hilda, his brothers Willie, Gilbert, Paddy, Leonard, Leo Roger and sister Evelyn Rose, Janet, Emmy Lou, Dolly, Jude, Tyler, Tawny Jo, Okan, Emma (George) Many Feathers, Bernard Eagle Plume, Howard (Mabel) Beebe, and Joe (Ruth) Alden from Crow Agency.
A Viewing will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Monday, April 26, 2021 from 9:00 to 11:00 am with a Family Service to follow at 11:00 am. (COVID regulations will be implemented - Only 20 people will be allowed into the service) Interment to follow at Little Bear Family Cemetery.
To Send Condolences Click Here.
To Watch the Livestream of the Service Click Here.