BERNARD NOEL YOUPEE – Istah Pēsto (Sharp Eyes) born as a Christmas present to Melvene Spotted Bird and Louis Youpee Jr. on December 25, 1965, lost a courageous fight with diabetes and made his cross-over path on November 6, 2014 while at the Poplar Community Hospital. Bernard enjoyed his last days living along the Poplar River near to his father’s residence. His battle with diabetes was inspirational to anyone who ever knew him. Although he was the archetype of Indianess and strength, he shared his life with many wonderful and special people of all races.
Indian prayer extended: “ So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, and make beauty of all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the voices of your people.
Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over to the Spirit World. Always give a word or a sign of greeting when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and bow to none. When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the food and for the joy of living.
When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a Dakota going home.”
Bernard comes from a well-defined legacy (eight generations) of the Miniconjou, Hunkpapa and Cheyenne people. His relatives include Owl Bull, Lone Horn, Black Buffalo, Big Woman, Na ki hi hi na, Good Day Woman, Rattling Blanket, Crazy Horse, Long Horn, Black Coyote, Dog Skin Necklace, Looking Thunder, Touches the Clouds, Sitting Bull, Black Moon, High Back Bone, Big Foot, Iron Man, No Mother, White Bull, Shield Cloud, Savior, Kills a Cree Woman and Morning Shell Woman. Related events include treaty signing, battles at Rosebud, Little Big Horn, Killdeer Mountains and Wounded Knee, the Fort Robinson surrender and the Lakota exodus to Canada.
Bernard attended public schooling at Lame Deer, Lake Forest, Tri-Cities, Brockton and Poplar. He enjoyed a number of outdoor occupations including land surveying, seismograph geo-transmitter stomper and construction laborer. When necessary, he would assist his father’s business; Louie’s Tow Service to fill any idle time. Bernard also enjoyed his time working for the Fort Peck Tribal Industries. He enlisted in the Montana Army National Guard in the 1980’s and receive an honorable discharge.
Bernard loved his children and grandchildren very much. He was passionate about his family and his friendships. Generous, kind, loving, with a heart overflowing with compassion, His influence cast a wide net. He truly was an instrument of peace. He cared about social justice on a personal, local, and national level. He loved feeding people and was known to say if you have enough for one more, you have enough for two more, three more, and so forth and so on. Bernard took his role as adopted father seriously and asked about each of his adopted children by name weekly, along with many, many others. Those who knew him found out that he had a fine and whimsical sense of humor, which he passed down to his children and grandchildren. Bernard (and Dee) welcomed so many into their hearts and their family for a day, a week and a short lifetime. His companion Dee turned out to be his match, he saw her as an amazing and steadfast soul who shared his dreams of changing things to better their world.
Bernard loved hunting, fishing and sports. In 1976 he bag his first deer in the Big Sheep Mountain Range of Montana. He was an accomplished pool player with many championships to his credit. He was an avid Harley rider and like to cruise the country side with his father and cousins. As a young man, he tried bull riding for fun….until the fun ran out. He had a fond respect for the Boxer breed of dogs which he raised and gave out to his friends and relatives. He followed the example of his parents as Pow Wow dancers and became a traditional dancer. He traveled the Pow Wow circuit throughout the US and Canada where he made numerous friends and traveling buddies. As a traditionalist he enjoyed his culture and traditions through sun dancing, sweat lodges, ceremonies and singing. When not dancing Bernard like to drum hop for the opportunity to learn more songs and make new friends.
Bernard and Cheryl Sutherland were blessed with two daughters: Britney and Marlene. His time with Becky Bird also blessed him with a son; Edmond and a daughter; Jewel.
Through his trials of relationships he finally met the true love of his life. Dee Crow; his best friend and companion brought so much comfort to his life in a time of his greatest challenges. He loved her loving heart and gentle ways which urged him to fight on and be cheerful and happy when things weren’t exactly promising. His father never too far from sight always encourage his oldest son to reach higher and believed he would take over the towing business at some point.
Bernard was predeceased by his mother, brother: Mervin Curtis Youpee, Paternal grandparents: Louis Youpee Sr. and Bernice (Tattoo) Youpee, Maternal Grandparents: John Spotted Bird and Virginia (Powell) Spotted Bird.
He leaves behind his companion; Dee Crow, father; Louis Youpee, brothers: Charles “Rocky” Youpee (Poplar, MT), Paul White Bear (Brockton, MT), sisters: Lois Youpee (Parshall, ND), Lana Jackson (Frazer, MT), Amber White Bear (Brockton, MT) and special adopted sister Candace Spotted Bird (Brockton, MT), children: Britney (Joseph) Cloud (Poplar, MT), Marlene Youpee (Poplar, MT), Edmond Youpee (Brockton) and Jewell Youpee (Brockton), grandsons: Vincent and Joedaus Youpee, aunts: Catherine Spotted Bird (Poplar), Jewel Hanna (Poplar), uncles: Leland Spotted Bird (Brockton) and Darrell “Curley” Youpee (Poplar), Grandpa’s: Lester “Jim” Youpee (Brockton) and Lloyd Youpee (Poplar) and numerous cousins, nephews, nieces and adopted relatives throughout Indian Country. JZ Iron Wing and Lois Long Tree and numerous adopted relatives; too many to list, made a special place for him and his big smile.
This is an obituary….if we left anyone out please forgive us, we will make it right on the memorial announcement.