Gary "Bear" William Salois

🙏🏼“I Am One in the World and the World to One” [Winona Judd, 2021] Through tears and sorrow we announce the death of our family member Bear.

  Garry William Salois, known by Bear, began his journey to meet  his ancestors on  September 6th 2021. Bear was born in Browning, Montana February 21st 1952. He moved  to his hometown of Ronan Montana when his linguist grandfather  William Matt finished working for the Browning public schools. 

      Bear was a proud member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT). He was a direct descendant of Jocko Finley, Louie Matt, and Teresa Kills in the Lodge on his mother’s side( Finley- Matt family). Bear  was a smart guy, he enjoyed  embellishing stories and saying things for the shock value.  Bear was an avid reader who enjoyed the casino, attending tribal events, and teasing  the heck out of everyone. 

      Bear worked making Tipi’s, then he  worked for the CSKT tribes doing maintenance, then as a  mailman for 30 years. Although Bear never married, he has one daughter Billie Anna Salois and several grandchildren: April, Senlin, Patience, Joseph, Victoria, & LeAnn Bear also has eight  great grandchildren who all reside on the Flathead Reservation.

     Bear had strength and resiliency. A survivor of boarding school and the  loss of his parents at a young age may have been attributed to his tough exterior. 

     Bear wanted better for his grandchildren.  Bear wanted to be sure his grandchildren had everything they needed, especially inclusion and family support.  

     Bear had nine siblings, two siblings who are living; Brother Britton Salois, and sister Duretta Salois. Bear also had numerous nieces and nephews.  

    Bear  joins his siblings in paradise : Sharon, Arnold Wayne (Watash) , Ardis, Kelly, and, two sisters who died in infancy Terry & Linda, and  Baby brother Ronald Barnaby. 

  Bear also joins his parents Alice Mary Matt and Steve Salois in the spirit world. He  joins  his maternal grandparents William Matt, & Margaret (Saint Marks) Matt and  his paternal grandparents Samuel Salois and Louise (Bouchie) Salois. 

Per Bears request -no services or funeral, his ashes will be taken by grandchildren off the reservation and brought to a beautiful place far away. Extended family will have a memorial dinner at a later date.

The grandchildren of Bear would like to sponsor a gathering and meal next Friday. For more information please contact Senlin Salois and JoAnn Yonkin  at  shyblue1040@gmail.com

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