MANY BEARS, Korine

MANY BEARS

Dark hung be the heavens as we call out to our ancestors in the spirit world to welcome our beloved Natoiysoika’sa (Korine Many Bears, nee Yellow Horn) into their embrace. Among the family greeting Korine in Omahksspatsiko (the Sandhills) are her parents Koopis (Thomas Yellow Horn) and Mi’sohpsski (Nellie Yellow Horn) and her sisters, Matsowaakii (Agnes Smith), Caroline and Maohksipi’ksaakii (Denise Dion). Korine will be especially happy to see her son, Naamskiisaoksskini (Jonathon Many Bears), for whom she grieved every day since his death. She will finally get to know her grandson Nolan.

When she glances to the family she leaves behind, she will see Floyd, her husband of 52 years, and their daughter Kendra Marie (Phil). Surrounding them are Kendra’s boys Jude and Giovanni and Jonathon’s daughter Nola, with her two daughters Myla Begay and Alanna Many Bears. Beside them is her special nephew, Nathan, who always called her mom. She will see her sisters Dorothy Provost, Connie Crop Eared Wolf (Andy) and Kathy Breaker (Stuart) and her Yellow Horn brothers Romeo, Joseph, Marvin (Marlene) and Eldon. Behind them is gathered a crowd of life-long friends and caring relatives who are all sorry to see her leave. We who knew Korine in our lives now feel a spot in our hearts that will be forever empty.

Korine was born at Brocket on the Peigan Indian Reserve on January 10, 1947. Her Piikani identity was an important part of her life. She took great pleasure in attending powwows and she often went back to Brocket during the annual “Indian Days.” Dancing and living in a tipi were the memorable moments of summer for her. Her commitment to Niitsitapi culture eventually led her to participate in the sacred ceremonies of the Ookaan (Sundance) as a bundle holder with the Iitskinaiksi (Horn Society). Once she transferred her membership, she became an Elder guiding new members through the ceremonies and duties of a medicine bundle holder. As her health declined so did her ability to dance, but she still liked powwows. She gained comfort from the songs and visiting with friends.

Like many Piikani children, attending residential school was part of Korine’s life experience. She was a student at the Ermineskin School in Hobbema, now Maskwacis, Alberta. Despite this challenge, she surpassed the education she received there. She returned home for high school and enrolled at G.R. Davis School in Fort Macleod. When she graduated in 1964 that was an uncommon achievement for girls. She was among the first Piikani students to attend the Lethbridge Community College and to have a modern career as a social worker. As a young couple, Korine and Floyd celebrated a personal triumph in 1973 when they became home-owners in Lethbridge. These milestones that Korine passed seem remarkable because of the time, but not for her because she was used to reaching beyond her grasp.

Korine was part of the first generation that could leave the reserve without needing a permit, which was a good thing because nothing could constrain her. As soon as she could she got a driver’s licence and never looked back. With her own money from her job, she bought that famous blue VW Beetle that nearly clocked a million miles while it was on the road. She and Floyd liked to travel. They would regularly pack up the Beetle, hitch on their pop-up trailer and hit the road. When Jonathon and Kendra came along, they up graded to a truck and camper for their family vacations. Their favourite destination was the open road and their Alberta licence plates were often spotted in Montana, California and all the western states in between. Unfortunately, mobility issues forced Korine to curtail her travels but not before she made one more epic journey with Kendra to Medjugorje in 1989 when it was still part of Yugoslavia. She made this pilgrimage to rekindle her faith and to prove that she could reclaim the independence she lost to a stroke.

Korine learned to walk again and regained her speech in Blackfoot and English, though the paralysis in her right arm was permanent. Disabled was a status she rejected as she never felt any diminished capacity to learn. She became a student again when she enrolled at the University of Lethbridge, where she earned a BA (‘94). She continued her studies at the University of Calgary and successfully completed the degree requirements for a BSW (‘97). Education was her therapy and each goal she attained helped to rebuild her self-confidence. Ultimately, the toll of chronic illness undermined the advances she made. For the last two years she enjoyed the company of peers at the Kainai Continuing Care Centre. She went to live with our ancestors on August 23, 2021, at the age of 74.

A Wake will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 from 6:00 P.M. till 11:00 P.M. with Martin Eagle Child officiating.

A Funeral Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. with Wilton Goodstriker officiating.

Following the service, Korine will be laid to rest in the Many Bears Family Plot on the Blood Reserve.

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com