Nathan Blair Many Bears

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It is with profound sadness we announce the sudden passing of our beloved Nathan Blair Many Bears, 40 years old, on June 20, 2026, at his residence in Lethbridge, Alberta surrounded by his loving family.  He leaves to mourn the love of his life Chelsea Yellow Wings; children, Kitty Pumpkin & Shadow Heavy Runner, Maverick & Ellegance Many Bears; stepchildren, Melaine and Malaya Yellow Wings, Kingston & Ryder Young Pine, and Kayzen McDonald who he loved and protected as his own; siblings, Drayton Many Bears and special sister Kendra Many Bears; niece and nephews, D’Kon, Brodin, Arianie, Ronan Many Bears, Jude and Giovanni Many Bears, Preston and Paxton Day Chief; in-laws, Randy and Lucy Young Pine; sister-in-law, Chayla and Alana Weasel Head, Ashley Rose Day Chief and (late) Larissa Young Pine-Yellow Wings; and special friends, Debbie & Kristen Minyard.

Nathan was born on January 1, 1986.  In his early years Nathan was often cared for by his beloved Naasi/gramma, Korine and Kaasi Bruno Many Bears who volunteered to raise him as their own.  Korine talked to him in Blackfoot all the time and they were tickled pink when he picked up the language so easily.  Nathan was exceptionally close to his dad Tony, they were buddies, not to mention die hard Hab Fans, whenever Montreal Canadiens were playing Nathan was at his dad’s watching the game with him and of course, they all had their Montreal Jersey’s on, it was like a tailgate party at Tony’s when the Hab’s won!  Nathan had a special relationship with his stepmom Jennifer, she wasn’t stepmom, she was mom.  He did not hesitate to confide in Jen whenever he was going through good times or bad times, Jen was there for him.  He was especially close to his brother Drayton and his nephews and niece, he took time for each and every one of them, talking with them and listening to them.  He had a big heart for everyone that was close to him.  He was also very close to his mother Dolly, Jeannie and his Crazy Boy family, he was very respectful of her and Jeannie and his late grandpa Peter Strikes With A Gun.  Like everyone he loved, he took the time to be with all of us, he had a huge heart and such compassion. 

Words cannot express the love Nathan had for his children.  It is heartbreaking and unbelievable to know that he is not going to be around to see them grow and experience all their achievements, their birthdays, joys & heartbreaks. 

Fortunately, Nathan got to escort Shadow to her 2026 Native Honour Night at Cardston High School, sadly missing her graduation ceremony (June 23, 2026) by three days.

Nathan first became a loving dad on February 8, 2007, welcoming his beautiful baby girl Kitty Pumpkin, and shortly thereafter followed by another adorable girl Shadow Rae on October 10, 2008.  Kitty and Shadow loved and respected their dad very much because he made sure they were disciplined.  And he made sure that they in turn showed respect to everyone around them.   

In later years Nathan met his love, Chelsea Yellow Wings.  Soon after they welcomed their precious babies Maverick on July 27, 2022, and Elegance on August 24, 2023.  Nathan thought the world of his children.   He was such a proud father he thought everything they did was cute, constantly taking pictures of them and posting them on fb.  When Maverick was one years old Nathan was so excited he couldn’t wait to enter him in the sheep riding at Kainai Youth Rodeo.  Maverick barely made it out of the shoot when Nathan pulled him off the sheep.  Poor Maverick didn’t even know what was going on, all he knew was that his dad was there to protect him.  Nathan doted on his littles and had no problem taking care of all of them always making sure they were dressed to the t’s and super clean.

Nathan was quite the character he loved to laugh, joke, talk about childhood memories down @ Grandma Margaret’s & do crazy rank pranks on all his family and friends and even his co-workers.  His love was unconditional to all he knew near & far.  He was always eager to lend a helping hand whenever he was asked.  His cousins all thought he was such a big kind loving Teddy Bear and he was. 

When Nathan was about 13 yrs old, he went on a weekend road trip with his auntie Rose to Polson, Mt.  They left on a Friday night.  After crossing Mariah Pass they turned south at Columbia Falls not far down the road aunt Rose was caught speeding and just before they passed the cop car the officer turned his lights on, and then turned them off and just kept going, just giving her a warning.  Nathan bust out laughing and said “holy auntie, if that was back home, we would’ve been stopped right now”.  He thought that was the coolest thing and couldn’t quit talking about it.  Nathan sounded like he wanted to move to Montana right then and there lol!  It was definitely a fun and memorable trip.  

 Nathan started kindergarten at Saipoyii Elementary School in Standoff and continued onto Aahsaopi Elementary in Lavern.  He went to middle school at F. P. Walshe in Fort Macleod.  Then attended Kainai High School on the Blood Reserve and Catholic Central High in Lethbridge.  While attending CCH he found his calling in “Welding” through the work experience program, which was part of the school curriculum.  Nathan did his work experience with Southland Trailers and obviously Southlands was quite impressed with him as they promised him a job.  Instead of completing his high school in-spite of being a few credits shy, he left high school and went to work for Southland Trailers working there for a little over a year.

As a Journeyman Welder, Nathan took his job extremely seriously he was admired by his Foreman’s and was the go-to man to apprentice new and upcoming Welders, they chose him because he was exceptionally good at his job as a Welder.  He was well respected by his employers and co-workers.   

Nathan worked with various companies, as a Journeyman Welder, in and around Lethbridge and in Fort McMurray throughout his career.  His longest employment was working for his cousin Mike Derang’e’s Welding Company, Derantech, in Fort McMurrray, AB. Nathan worked on and off for Mike’s Company between 2004 to 2016. Went back to work with Derantech from 05/21 to 08/21 He also worked for AECOM Fort McMurray in 2016/17.

Nathan also worked for the following Companies in Southern Alberta between 2016 to 2026.  

- Headwater Equipment, Coalhurst, Ab.

- Fleet Brake Parts & Service Ltd., Lethbridge, Ab.

- Almita Piling Inc., Lomond, Swamper, October 2021 to May 2022

- Weston Manufacturing Ltd. Ft MacLeod, Journeyman Welder, June 2022 to December 2023

- Haul All-Extreme Modular Building, Lethbridge, Journeyman Welder, 04/23 to 02/25

Nathan’s last place of employment was with Procor/Transco, Lethbridge, AB, Journeyman Welder, April 2025 to March 2026

Nathan is survived by many relatives. Paternal family; parents, Tony Many Bears & Jennifer Bull Shields; aunts and uncles, Winston MB, Adeline Smith, Celestine Twigg, Leonard MB, Rosella MB, Warner (Debbie) MB, Raymond (Greta) MB, Edmund MB, Delores MB, Randy (Gail) MB, Ivan (donna) MB. 

Maternal family; mother, Marcella (Dolly) Crazy Boy; grandmother, Jeannie Provost, Sabrina Crazy Boy, Great Auntie’s Sylvarious No Chief, Darcia Provost;  Uncles, Randy (Judy) Crazy Boy, Ralph Crazy Boy, Leroy (Twanya) Crazy Boy and Mavis Donovan.

Predeceased paternal family; beloved Naasi Korine and Kaasi Floyd Bruno Many Bears; brothers, Kaelym  and Jonathan Many Bears; stepdaughter Raegan Wells; grandparents, Jack and Margaret Many Bears; aunties, Justine Wostenberg and Ann Hart Shouting; uncle, Thomas Many Bears; great grandparents, Pat and Paula Weasel Head.

Predeceased maternal family; grandparents, Ralph Sr. Crazy Boy, Peter Strikes With A Gun (2026), Lydia Crazy Boy, Candace Crazy Boy; great grandpa, Mickey Crazy Boy; great grandma, Annie Crazy Boy (Wolf Plume); uncles, Hartwell Big Bull, Tosha Crazy Boy; aunts, Annimay Good Striker, Lorraine Little Mustache; great aunts, Sarah Soosay (nee Crazy Boy), Mona North Peigan (nee Crazy Boy); great uncle, Jack Crazy Boy.

Paternal Relatives: Many Bears, Weasel Head, Blood, Cross Child, Callihou, Big Plume, Steele, Knowlton, Many Grey Horses, Long Time Squirrels, Wells, Old Shoes, White Man, Fox, McDougalls.

Maternal Relatives; Crazy Boys, Bull Shields, Wolf Plumes, Provosts, North Peigans, Derang’e, Soosays, Little Moustache, Big Bulls and Potts, Small Eyes, Russell and Many Guns.

Nathan loved all his cousins dearly and are too numerous to mention (know he loved each and every one of you) and his many great nieces and nephews. We apologize for any names we may have missed.

A Two-Day Wake Service will be held at Eden's Funeral Home, 2424 5 Ave, Fort Macleod, starting on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 6:00 PM.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Blood Tribe, on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at 11:00 AM.

Following the Funeral Mass, Nathan will be laid to rest at the Many Bears Family Plot, Blood Tribe.

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