It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of NATAAWO’TAAN – DELBERT GEORGE MANY BEARS, August 1, 2021 at the age of 75 years old. He passed away peacefully at his residence at the West Highlands Good Samaritans, Lethbridge, AB.
Delbert is lovingly remembered by his aunt, Mary Steele; brothers, William and Gus; sisters, Shirley Starlight, Delia (Pat) Twigg and Hanna; nieces, Irene, Trisha, Gina, Nikki, Angela and Kristen; and nephews, Joe, Doug, Stevie, Boss Q, Shirley, Mary Ann and Mike Steele.
Also left to mourn are his extended family members of the Many Bears, Mistaken Chiefs, Bloods, Long Time Squirrels, Many Grey Horses, Bruised Heads, Cross Childs, Red Crows, Beebes, White Man Lefts and numerous others.
Delbert was predeceased by his parents, George and Irene Many Bears; sisters, Antonia Rita and Marlene Vera; brothers, Brian Canute and Bill; niece and nephews, Wilomena and William Jr. Many Bears, Sheldon Many Bears; grandnephew Jamie Black Rabbit and grandniece Ariel Old Shoes, Lillian Steele and numerous aunts and uncles.
Delbert was born May 12, 1946 in Cardston, AB to George and Irene (nee Mistaken Chief) Many Bears. He was a residential school survivor with his education consisting of grade 12 at St. Mary’s High School on the Blood Reserve.
Delbert’s work consisted of helping his fathers and brothers with family farming and ranching. He worked various labour jobs and helped with cleaning and security at Kainai Industries.
Delbert’s interests were more in the traditional field such as beading, wood crafting, tanning hides and making traditional tipi backrests. He would harvest mint, saskatoons, choke cherries, bull berries and many other berries that grew in the prairie fields and river bottoms and loved to make traditional foods such as chokecherry crush, pemmican and cracklings.
Delbert was a traditional dancer which allowed him to travel many miles all-over Western Canada and Western US to dance in competition powwows. His special powwow travelling family included Wilbert Beebe and the Calf Robes.
Delbert did not marry or have any children of his own however he looked out for the neighborhood children, passing on the traditional skills and various dances he knew and sharing with them his famous hard time stew and oven bannock.
Delbert loved his nieces and nephews and visiting with the elderly. He enjoyed pulling pranks and joking with the older ladies. Delbert appreciated that he acquired a lot of traditional knowledge and skills from those people.
Delbert started getting sick the latter part of his life and had numerous health challenges to which he would eventually succumb.
Our family apologizes for anyone not mentioned and extend our sincerest thank you to all those who have helped in preparing the funeral arrangements. Special thanks to the staff at the West Highland Good Samaritans and all others for looking after Delbert.
A Family Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825-32 STREET SOUTH, LETHBRIDGE, AB on Monday, August 9, 2021 starting at 5:00 P.M.
A Funeral service will be held at ST.MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, Blood Reserve on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Pawel Andrasz O.M.I.
Delbert will be laid to rest in the St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Blood Reserve, AB.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Many Bears Delbert May 12 1946..
Death notice for the town of: Lethbridge, Province: Alberta