Albert W. Foote, Sr.

Sunrise 9/27/1953 – Sunset 09/09/2025

Albert William Foote Sr. (Mato Sapa – Black Bear/ Mo’ohtaveaenohe – Black Hawk) born on September 27, 1953, in Poplar, Montana to Rita Louise (Youngman) Long Chase and Joseph Alfred Foote. He journeyed home peacefully on September 9, 2025 in Conifer, Colorado.

Dad spent most of his younger years in Lame Deer with his Cheyenne ge-eh/grandma and family. In his teen years, he travelled back and forth between his Fort Peck family and Lame Deer family. He attended and graduated from Flandreau Indian School and later attended art school in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

It was down there that he met Loretta Pine, and from this union came Albert Jr., Lori Ann, and Sioux Dawn. After Art School, he spent time in Denver working with cable before making his way back to Fort Peck. He did various jobs, always honing his artistic skills. He painted the A&S logo and helped out at election times, painting signs, most recently, covid awareness signs.

He married Nancy Samuelson in 2007, and together they raised grandchildren and foster children until they parted ways.

Dad dedicated himself to his Dakota way of life and teachings. He travelled a lot, helping where needed with prayers and ceremonies, and recently with his tipis an stories. He gained family along each road he traveled. Some of those roads were up and down the West Coast, British Columbia, and up and down the Midwest states, most recently Texas, to help with a buffalo ranch. He gave back to his community by sharing his teachings with those who needed and wanted to learn. He incorporated teasing and joking in his lessons, making life fun in that way. He also gave back by educating himself and becoming a counselor with Spotted Bull for many years. He transitioned to TLU and for a time helped support youth in healing. He always made time for people in the community, giving them a space to share and learn. He used the tipi as a way to share the story of coming together, knowing the sacredness in putting up their homes. He loved to sing and play cards with friends and family, and creating artwork. He did art shows in Denver and continued teaching about Dakota culture, many events with his tipi and storytelling of culture to his Denver tiyospaye. He lived out his life fully enjoying every moment life gave. He was always ready for an adventure. He truly lived a full life of balance and harmony. and for this, we are thankful.

He was survived by his children, Al Jr., Lori Ann, and Sioux Dawn; grandchildren, Addison, Turquoise, Dean, Kayden Sioux, TQ, Jesse, Kar’Myne, Karter, baby Neeve; brothers, Frank, George Jr.; sisters, Cheyenne, Cissy (Lorne), Denise (DJ). Lots of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren from the families, Youngman, Foote, Demarrias, Eagleman, Savior, Yellow Owl, Iron Ring, Good Feather, and Escarcega families. Special friend Margarita Lopez-DelaTorriente.

Hankapi family, Abrahamson family, daughter Leonore, Garfield family, Tiospaye to include Brown, Montgomery, Martinez, YellowHorse, Luchau, Montgomery, Esquivel, Kills Pretty Enemy, Terbasket, Edwards, Wright, Fox, Baptist, and so many more. If we forgot anyone, please forgive us, as Dad shared his life with so many.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father, numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. To know Dad was to truly love him, and we thank everyone who shared that love with us all.

A wake will be held 6 p.m. Friday, September 26 at the Poplar Cultural Center. A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, September 27 at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment will follow at the Box Elder Cemetery in Poplar. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements.

Condolences for the family may be left using the guestbook below.