Sean Adam Bighorn

Sean Adam Bighorn, Dakota name “ Sutaya Was’te ” ( Firmly Good ) , Nakoda name “Takes the Horse” Tasunka Kin I c u . Ou r beloved son, grandson, brother, uncle and cousin, passed away due to natural causes at his home in Wolf Point, MT on Saturday, June 4, 2022.   Sean was 34 years old, and was born on September 14, 1987 to Roxann and Spike Bighorn.

Sean spent his formative years living in Brockton, MT and attended Barbara Gilligan Elementary School and Brockton High School until his senior year.  He then transferred to Poplar High School, where he graduated in 2007.  Although Sean suffered from a genetic heart condition, it didn’t stop him from living a normal childhood – “hanging out” with his friends and cousins and tagging along with his older brother Quinn to all of his sporting events and activities.  Sean was everyone’s “little brother ” and was given the nickname “Smoke Dogg” due to a childhood incident while driving around town on a go-kart whose engine was on fire, leaving a cloud of smoke in its wake – completely unbeknownst to the driver!

Along with his love and fierce loyalty to his family, Sean had other interesting “ hobbies ” – basketball and powwows , darts and pool league .  He was a renowned powwow singer and traveled the region attending every powwow he possible could during the summers.  His primary singing group was Soldier Hill, and he made lifelong friends through his singing and traveling with this group.

Although his heart condition made it difficult for him to participate in basketball like he wanted, he took great joy in the few times he did take the court. He loved to regal his friends with stories ( some of them “tall tales ”) of when he was on the court “ poppin ’ 3s” and “ breakin ’ ankles” just like his brother did! He lived his basketball dreams vicariously through the play of his brother Quinn, cousins Jay and Chelbi Brugh and, most recently, his treasured nephews Jarron and Patton Bighorn.

Sean will be remembered for his infectious personality – laughing, telling jokes and stories and just being the general “life of the party” . He quite possibly was t he friendliest person anyone came into contact with , making friends wherever he went, and he had a great loyalty to his friends and relatives. He loved the Oakland Raiders and Gonzaga Bulldogs, always dissecting their every win and loss! At the time of his death, Sean was employed as a Desk Clerk at the Homestead Inn in Wolf Point.

Sean is survived by his mom, Roxann Smith (Robert); his dad, Spike Bigh orn (Stephanie); sisters Raven & Willow Bighorn; sister in law Alberta Wright (Wes) step brothers Raymond, Jordan ( A shlen ) , p aternal grandfather Alpheus Bighorn, Jr; maternal grandmother Gloria Chopper , Grandpa Ray Smith, Grandparents Dwight and Virginia Birdwell , Grandma Julie Bemer (Merle), Carol Bemer , Louise Ell , “Momma Ernestine Youpee , Momma Marty Dillon, A unties Carolyn Brugh (Jay, Sr.); Carolyn Adams (Harold); Nicole Chopper (Maurice Bighorn, Jr.);  Brenda Eder (George); special uncle Paul Bemer , Teddy Ricker ; Patrick Anderson, numerous cousins and two nephews who had a special pace in his heart – Jarron & Patton Bighorn

Sean was preceded in death by his older brother Quinn; paternal great-grandparents Norman & Vera Hollow; Josephine and Alpheus Bighorn, Sr.; maternal great-grandparents Neville & Freda Bemer ; paternal grandmother s Doremis Bighorn; Sharon Vierra , maternal grandfather Aloysius Burshia , Jr. , Unci: Pearl Hopkins, Lorraine Snell ; aunties Hope Montoya, Lavonne Burshia ; Elouise Burshia , Alene Sharp , Karen Buckles ; uncles Raymond Burshia , Shawn Harger , Curtis Buckles . Papa Chuck & Grandma Bernice Spotted Bird, Grandpa Leland Spotted Bird .

Sean will be missed by all his fellow eyapaha emcee’s, Soldier Hill brothers, powwow committees, dart & pool league f riends, pow wow singers, fellow tribal politician candidates , countless cousins, adopted relatives and special friends. W e know Sean had many adopted relatives and we apologize for leaving anyone out.

Until we see you again son, know we will always love and miss you.