Kam began his earthly journey in Great Falls, Montana on May 22nd, 2003 and his earthly journey concluded in Wolf Point, Montana on February 16th, 2021 where his spiritual journey began. He was 17 Years Young. Born to Ellicia BadHawk (Mother) and Kristofer Clark (Father), Kam was first Grandson of Darrin BadHawk and Margaret Martin (maternal) the first born Great Grandson of (Walter Clark) Ga’ Ni’ Gabi’ and (June Clark) Wamni Waci’ Wija (paternal) and first born Grandson of (Kristine Clark) Tataga Waka Sina (paternal) who raised him after his first year and who he knew throughout most of his life, as “Mom”.
Kam attended Poplar Schools, elementary through middle school, he also attended Williston High School and Wolf Point High School. During his years at Poplar elementary, Kam joined wrestling for one season but, soon found that his passion was geared more towards music and skateboarding. Kam always had big dreams. Dreams of one day becoming a Rock Star and he would tell his “Mom” that one day he was “going to sell out Madison Square Garden”. During his Williston High School days, Kam took a class called “Garageband” where he and his classmates would learn songs and play them in front of the rest of the class. He had a shy spot until a guitar was in his hands, armed with his guitar he would dazzle his fellow classmates with his performances. Kam quickly found friends that enjoyed those same activities and built friendships that would last forever. During his High School summer vacation, he wanted to earn his keep and found employment with the local Gysler’s Hardware store. They were immediately impressed with his work ethic. So much so, that they wanted to keep him on as a permanent employee. Kam never had any strangers in his life, he would meet people who would become his friends and his friends soon became his family. On his off-time, when Kam wasn’t in school or working, he was busy perfecting his passion which was skateboarding. He would often learn difficult tricks and would keep doing them until he mastered them and was able to make videos to share with friends and family to showcase what he had learned. His skateboarding talents and skills paved the way for him to become a member in a local skating group, the “Scumbag Skate Army”. Kam definitely enjoyed skating and would often venture to skate parks in Williston, North Dakota and Billings, Montana.
Kam also had another huge and exciting passion which he shared with his Favorite Uncle/Dad/BigBrother Mike and his friends. His love for music and playing the guitar. As with anything he tried to do, his mastering skills knew no bounds. At age 14, Kam’s determination and proficiency at playing the guitar and bass carried him to his first live performance after only less than a year of learning and practicing the guitar. At “The Gateway” at Fort Peck Lake with his extremely proud father and uncle by his side he played through his nerves and nailed the gig. He left everyone in “awe” and made his skills seem effortless. He even went on to record a 5 Song EP “demo” with his band. For Kam, that was one of the highlights of his musical journey, being in the band “Rise From Ruin” with his dad, Uncle Mike and his best friend Ethan FourBear.
One interesting thing about Kam is that he has a huge heart and that extended to his love for sloths. For Christmas one year, he even went so far as to adopt a real life sloth. Kam named him “Henry” and he even has the paperwork to prove it, lol. Kam was very fortunate to have found the love of his life in Leslie Keiser who preceded him.
Kam never had to want for anything, he had an amazing life because he loved others so well and he was loved so much in return. Kam’s one desire was that he wanted to know his sister Elliyah Rayn. He would often ask about her because he wanted to get to know her and he wanted to be a part of her life and his “Mom” encouraged him to do so. Kam soon found that his family is actually bigger than he could have ever imagined and we all encouraged him to get to know everyone.
Kam had a great personality and a great sense of humor and he loved to laugh. His smile was so infectious that when he smiled, anyone who was in the vicinity couldn’t help but feel the love he shared as his smile warmed their hearts and brightened their lives in those moments. We will miss the way his whole face would light up when he was with those he loved.
Throughout his life, Kam always had many people looking after and watching out for him, especially his Uncle/Dad/BigBrother Steve. Some friends, some family, there are definitely way too many to name, but no matter who it was, Kam loved them as if they were his big brothers and big sisters.
Kam’s grandma Kristine always called him her “GIFT” from his mother, Ellicia, because he really was. To Ellicia, a heartfelt “Thank You”, for a saving grace that brought limitless love, joy and happiness…a gift that changed all of our lives for the better and inspired everyone he ever met to do and be better. Thank you Kam, for coming into our lives, you are and always will be our GIFT, not only from your mother, but also from The Creator. Pidamaya.
Kam is survived by *{Maternal} Mother: Ellicia Jasmyn Badhawk; Siblings: Tade Jusina (Little Wind, Elliyah Rayn Clark), Brian McConnell Jr., Brandon McConnell, Emylah McConnell, Brycen McConnell, Braxton McConnell, Grandparents: Darrin Badhawk, Margaret Martin; Aunts: Jolynne Badhawk (Kyler, Alex, Leighanna & Christian), Deanna Badhawk {preceded} (KayLeigh, KayLynn, Paul), Marissa Badhawk (Tien, Talon, Amari, Frank), Mariah Badhawk (Jaslynn, Austin, Alfred, Anthony, Allice), Uncles: Darrin Badhawk (Maliyah, Amaya, Zenaya, Dayson, Ziya), Jake Badhawk (Jacob, Everly). **{Paternal} Grandma/“Mom”: Tataga Waka Sina (Sacred Buffalo Robe Woman, Kristine Clark), Father: Tataga He Waka (Sacred Buffalo Horn, Kristofer Clark), Auntie: Isa Ati Wiya (Santee Woman, Mabel Clark), Uncles: Wasage (Grizzly Bear Claws, Steve Bearcub), Icaga Waka (Grows Sacred, Mike Bearcub), Sisters: Tade Jusina (Little Wind, Elliyah Rayn Clark), Hawi Cogadu (Half Moon Girl, Brylee Bearcub) Gamneza A U Wicahpi Wichinjana (Morning Star Girl, Brayden Bearcub) Wichinjana Waste’ (Good Girl, Bailey Bearcub), Tashunga Wichinjana (Her Horse Girl, Jessa Sandau), Mni Shoshe Wichinjana (Missouri River Girl, Brooklyn Rose Bearcub), Brother: He Hokshina (Antler Boy, Brody Bearcub) Taxjaha Ska Wi (Helen {Fred & Tauni} Bighorn), Cheryl (Alvin, Jason (Kyla), Alina (Bradley) & Fredrich) Bighorn-Savior, Katelyn June Clark, Kim (Chuck) Johnson, KC Johnson, Richard (Marla) Clark, Bradley Clark (Quincy), Linnea Clark (Malayna), Brett Clark, Amy & James DeHerrera and family, Ron & Ruth Jackson and family, Jeneen Spang and family * Extended Family: Clark, Daniels, Bighorn, Spang, First, BadHawk, Gylser’s Hardware Family.
Kam is preceded by; Ga Ni Gabi (Walter Clark) & Wamni Waci Wiya (June Clark), Inde Okmas (Ervin A. Clark), Jason Bighorn, Jennifer Bighorn, Baby Freddy Bighorn, Aaron Wayne (KC) Johnson, Deanna Badhawk, Alan Daniels, Randy Headdress, Randolph & Mabel Daniels