
Thomas Alphonse Scott-Many Grey Horses
Riding Amongst the Wild (Blackfoot Name)
Kainai and Pikanii First Nations
April 22, 1977 – August 17, 2020
With heavy heart his brother AJ announced, “Last night God called home one of his beautiful sons. My brother Thomas Many Grey Horses passed away. He is one of the most charming, funny people you can ever meet. Our hearts are crying right now but we know he is in a better place. Keep trying to help your loved ones with addictions.”
Riding Amongst the Wild was blessed with four sons who survive him - Roy, Stryder, Markus and Corbin. There is a glow in the sacred sanctuary of the heart of Riding Amongst the Wild – it is his love for his four sons. The spiritual force of love guided him and his mother to co-parent his sons and to create a home.
His mother is Donna Many Grey Horses and his father is Jesse James Scott. His mother worked as a clinical social worker for many years at the Peter Lougheed Hospital while his father pursued his livelihood with horsemanship, rodeo and farming. His siblings are AJ, Jesse, Sarah and Wesley. Thomas comes from large families and extended kin on both the Many Grey Horses family of Kainai Nation and the Scott family of Pikanii Nation (aunties Martha, Norma, Dolly, Margaret, Shirley, Barbara; uncles Wesley Sr. and Leslie). On his maternal side Riding Amongst the Wild is a descendent of a long lineage of chiefs – Red Crow and forefathers. His maternal great-grandfather Long Time Squirrel was renown as a stock contractor for the early days of the Calgary Stampede. His late maternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Alphonse Many Grey Horses and his late paternal grandparents are Joe and Irene (Solway) Scott.
In his early childhood Riding Amongst the Wild grew up on his grandparents’ ranch in the Bullhorn Coulee of the Kainai Nation. His creative imagination soon cast him into the role of a leader of his young feller cousins. Poignant memories of his earthly life arise as his numerous cousins reminisce of those cheerful days spent fishing and swimming in the creek, sneaking off to town to buy slurpee, riding bicycles on dusty country lanes, picking berries, ice skating and riding horses. There was a memorable moment when Thomas was stunned with amazement as he saw the titties of a mama dog and her pups, and he quickly named her Dinkermilk. He travelled with relatives to British Columbia and the United States. Besides having fun, these trips were educational. And then there were the many holy ceremonies that were held throughout the year that he continued to attend beyond his childhood. The old people loved him. He experienced our cultural teaching that spirituality is the greatest of Creator’s gifts – a spiritual happiness is an honor that is not followed by shame: an existence that is not followed by annihilation. Time and again these spiritual teachings were to serve as his shield later on in his adult life.
A somber tragic truth - in this country, for many First Nations’ students including Thomas, education and educational experience were, and still are, not the best of quality. He attended schools in southern Alberta and later on attended the academic program at Bow Valley College in Calgary. Yes, the schools were the theatres where ammos of prejudice and bullying rained down upon him. Here was a junior youth with magnificent courage who plunged headlong into the camp of no less severe trials of racism. Very little, if any, learning occurs in an environment of gloomy deceit. Nonetheless Thomas made firm his feet at the time when these trials transpired, and demonstrated patience.
Severe challenges loomed for Thomas. The long arms of colonialism and genocide reach far and deep into the succeeding generations of First Nations. The unquenchable thirst of addictions robs our love ones of skills needed to live a fulfilling life. Thomas suffered. Likewise those of us who loved him suffered along with him. But then again, there was a calm about him, remembering that the hard times will pass.
His cousins including his sister Deloria recall, “Thomas was charming, funny, life of the get togethers, when you were with him he sure knew how to make you feel good and wasn’t afraid to express his feelings, the good and the bad...he was real!” Thomas had many friends from the Morley Reserve and people of all cultural backgrounds who shared loving kindness. He was a pleasant person with a quick smile and a unique sense of humor. Indeed we still are amused by his fun. Thomas’ special relations include his Metis elder Brad, his Spaniard friend James and his beloved uncle Roy. He enjoyed listening to music of various styles and admired Arabian stallions. Thomas and his aunt Martha shared a common interest for architectural designs of old buildings as well the history of the eras of these structures. He worked in the field of construction and he easily pointed out the buildings in Calgary he worked on. Thomas was an artist. He sketched and painted, did beadwork and wrote poetry.
Our Riding Amongst the Wild’s charisma emerged from his humble spirit. He fought the battle that is plaguing our Indigenous Peoples world over – intergenerational trauma rooted in colonialism. His modest character that the world supposes unlikely for success is the very thing that made him a warrior. We gives thanksgiving to Our Creator for blessing us with your life as our son, father, brother ~ and our loveable Thomas. Riding Amongst the Wild, mount your Arabian stallion and rush at full charge toward the stronghold of our ancestors – they are waiting for your arrival. Lilililili!
From our hearts we acknowledge the compassionate staff and doctors who took care of Thomas – Peter Lougheed Hospital, Rockyview Hospital, Foothills Hospital, Alpha House, Calgary Housing, Mustard Seed, Mormon Church North East, Calgary Police North East Detachment, Calgary Friendship Centre and Bow Valley College.
A Wake Service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Wednesday, August 26th from 4:00 - 8:00 pm. A Viewing will be held on Thursday, August 27th from 9:30 - 11:00 with a Family Service to follow at 11:00 am. (Due to COVID-19 restrictions a limited number will be allowed into the service at a time.)
Click to WATCH the live stream service Online or Click to send condolences
Riding Amongst the Wild (Blackfoot Name)
Kainai and Pikanii First Nations
April 22, 1977 – August 17, 2020
With heavy heart his brother AJ announced, “Last night God called home one of his beautiful sons. My brother Thomas Many Grey Horses passed away. He is one of the most charming, funny people you can ever meet. Our hearts are crying right now but we know he is in a better place. Keep trying to help your loved ones with addictions.”
Riding Amongst the Wild was blessed with four sons who survive him - Roy, Stryder, Markus and Corbin. There is a glow in the sacred sanctuary of the heart of Riding Amongst the Wild – it is his love for his four sons. The spiritual force of love guided him and his mother to co-parent his sons and to create a home.
His mother is Donna Many Grey Horses and his father is Jesse James Scott. His mother worked as a clinical social worker for many years at the Peter Lougheed Hospital while his father pursued his livelihood with horsemanship, rodeo and farming. His siblings are AJ, Jesse, Sarah and Wesley. Thomas comes from large families and extended kin on both the Many Grey Horses family of Kainai Nation and the Scott family of Pikanii Nation (aunties Martha, Norma, Dolly, Margaret, Shirley, Barbara; uncles Wesley Sr. and Leslie). On his maternal side Riding Amongst the Wild is a descendent of a long lineage of chiefs – Red Crow and forefathers. His maternal great-grandfather Long Time Squirrel was renown as a stock contractor for the early days of the Calgary Stampede. His late maternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Alphonse Many Grey Horses and his late paternal grandparents are Joe and Irene (Solway) Scott.
In his early childhood Riding Amongst the Wild grew up on his grandparents’ ranch in the Bullhorn Coulee of the Kainai Nation. His creative imagination soon cast him into the role of a leader of his young feller cousins. Poignant memories of his earthly life arise as his numerous cousins reminisce of those cheerful days spent fishing and swimming in the creek, sneaking off to town to buy slurpee, riding bicycles on dusty country lanes, picking berries, ice skating and riding horses. There was a memorable moment when Thomas was stunned with amazement as he saw the titties of a mama dog and her pups, and he quickly named her Dinkermilk. He travelled with relatives to British Columbia and the United States. Besides having fun, these trips were educational. And then there were the many holy ceremonies that were held throughout the year that he continued to attend beyond his childhood. The old people loved him. He experienced our cultural teaching that spirituality is the greatest of Creator’s gifts – a spiritual happiness is an honor that is not followed by shame: an existence that is not followed by annihilation. Time and again these spiritual teachings were to serve as his shield later on in his adult life.
A somber tragic truth - in this country, for many First Nations’ students including Thomas, education and educational experience were, and still are, not the best of quality. He attended schools in southern Alberta and later on attended the academic program at Bow Valley College in Calgary. Yes, the schools were the theatres where ammos of prejudice and bullying rained down upon him. Here was a junior youth with magnificent courage who plunged headlong into the camp of no less severe trials of racism. Very little, if any, learning occurs in an environment of gloomy deceit. Nonetheless Thomas made firm his feet at the time when these trials transpired, and demonstrated patience.
Severe challenges loomed for Thomas. The long arms of colonialism and genocide reach far and deep into the succeeding generations of First Nations. The unquenchable thirst of addictions robs our love ones of skills needed to live a fulfilling life. Thomas suffered. Likewise those of us who loved him suffered along with him. But then again, there was a calm about him, remembering that the hard times will pass.
His cousins including his sister Deloria recall, “Thomas was charming, funny, life of the get togethers, when you were with him he sure knew how to make you feel good and wasn’t afraid to express his feelings, the good and the bad...he was real!” Thomas had many friends from the Morley Reserve and people of all cultural backgrounds who shared loving kindness. He was a pleasant person with a quick smile and a unique sense of humor. Indeed we still are amused by his fun. Thomas’ special relations include his Metis elder Brad, his Spaniard friend James and his beloved uncle Roy. He enjoyed listening to music of various styles and admired Arabian stallions. Thomas and his aunt Martha shared a common interest for architectural designs of old buildings as well the history of the eras of these structures. He worked in the field of construction and he easily pointed out the buildings in Calgary he worked on. Thomas was an artist. He sketched and painted, did beadwork and wrote poetry.
Our Riding Amongst the Wild’s charisma emerged from his humble spirit. He fought the battle that is plaguing our Indigenous Peoples world over – intergenerational trauma rooted in colonialism. His modest character that the world supposes unlikely for success is the very thing that made him a warrior. We gives thanksgiving to Our Creator for blessing us with your life as our son, father, brother ~ and our loveable Thomas. Riding Amongst the Wild, mount your Arabian stallion and rush at full charge toward the stronghold of our ancestors – they are waiting for your arrival. Lilililili!
From our hearts we acknowledge the compassionate staff and doctors who took care of Thomas – Peter Lougheed Hospital, Rockyview Hospital, Foothills Hospital, Alpha House, Calgary Housing, Mustard Seed, Mormon Church North East, Calgary Police North East Detachment, Calgary Friendship Centre and Bow Valley College.
A Wake Service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Wednesday, August 26th from 4:00 - 8:00 pm. A Viewing will be held on Thursday, August 27th from 9:30 - 11:00 with a Family Service to follow at 11:00 am. (Due to COVID-19 restrictions a limited number will be allowed into the service at a time.)
Click to WATCH the live stream service Online or Click to send condolences