Julius Joseph SAMAKIINAA/SPEAR CHIEF (62) – The beloved father to Kirsten and Theoren (Cianna), the devoted husband to Cheryl, and the loving grandfather to Kai, Eastyn, Rayna and baby Junior. He passed on peacefully while surrounded by family on July, 29, 2025. Samakiinaa, a spirit full of life, has returned home. He has travelled full circle. He will be forever missed by all those that knew him.

Samakiinaa was born to Cecile Prairie Chicken and James Provost, on July 02, 1963, he was from the Tall People Clan. Being youngest of five siblings, he was the adored baby to his mother and the cherished baby brother to Wilma (Wayne) Spear Chief-Morris and Moses Spear Chief (Shelly Pompana) and the Late; Isabel Heavy Shields, Raymond Black Water, Cecile Yellow Wings, and Elizabeth (Leo) Day Chief. His household included his nieces, he was the loving uncle to Tammy Heavy Shields, the late Ramona Heavy Shields, Renee (Winston) Day Chief, the late Dorothy Mae Spear Chief, Trina (Marvin) Many Fingers and Roxann Scout, all who were raised alongside him.  Julius spoke proudly of his Harvard Lawyer nephew, Julian Spear Chief-Morris and professional athlete niece, Joy Spear Chief-Morris. He was of Catholic faith and was an Altar boy in his early childhood.  In his teens, he owned a motor bike and was part of a ‘motor cycle gang’ and early on began repairing his own vehicles.

Julius was raised by his mother within the community of Standoff townsite, Cecile modelled hard work and instilled her own traditional values. She was the proud granddaughter of the ‘original’ Samakiinaa, who raised Cecile in the community of Aakaksimaaks (Old Agency). She often remarked of the power to Julius’s name and retold the story of how one day her grandfather Samakiinaa said he said he was going to Calgary and shake hands with the British Crown who were scheduled for a visit in May of 1939. Family remarked to him that the King and Queen’s visit will be under tight security and shaking hands with them will be impossible. However, Samakiinaa began to prepare for his trip, assembling his finest attire he travelled to Calgary. He successfully crossed security barriers and walked directly to the King and Queen and indeed shook their hands and even conversed with them.

Julius proudly carried his namesake of his great grandfather’s name Samakiinaa throughout his lifetime.

Cecile stood by her son Julius through all his endeavours. His childhood included his love of sports; he played minor hockey with the Farm Four Oilers and then Kainai Chiefs and later recreational hockey with Lethbridge Community College.  His nieces proudly took turns carrying his hockey bag, as they escorted Julius to every hockey practice and hockey game walking from their house in upper Townsite to the Kainai Sports Center, no matter how freezing cold the winter weather. Julius fondly recalls Dorothy Mae who always fiercely protected him should any of his hockey contenders roughed him up in a game. Dorothy Mae was sure to wait to pounce on his aggressor after the game. As a teenager, he was involved in Track and Field, he played basketball with the Farm Four Cyclones, also playing high calibre Fast ball. Julius proudly returned home to his mother with his gold medals and MVP awards. Also in his teens, he had a motor bike and was part of a ‘motor cycle gang’ and very early began to repair his own vehicles. In 1978, he received the Blood Tribe Junior Athlete of the Year Award, and in later years he played golf and joined the Pool league, once earning a spot at the Las Vegas Pool Tournament.  He was a loyal Calgary Flames fan.

He graduated from F.P. Walshe in 1981, and then graduated from Lethbridge Community College in 1988, having completed the Civil Engineering Technology Program in Construction and Management.  In 1987, he met the love of his life, Cheryl, and were united for 37 years, together they built a stable loving home for their children and grandchildren.  He was strong and independent and took pride in all his accomplishments, he worked hard throughout his lifetime providing for his family.  He had outstanding work ethic having worked numerous jobs within Blood Tribe, his most recent employment was as Manager of Maintenance and Security for Blood Tribe. Julius was a loving father and grandfather, and shared a close relationship with his daughter-in-law, Cianna, along with sisters; Sandra (Chris) Shade and MaryAnne Buckskin.  He was a family man travelling all over with Cheryl and their children to race meets, hockey with Kai and yearly camps at Aakokatsin.

Continuing to carry out his mother’s influence, in 1990, Julius joined the Pokootskinayiiks (the Young Horn society) with his partners John J. Healy and Rita Day Rider. Together they owned Miiniksapapistaatsiss (Angry Aggressive Spear Staff). He also joined the Kaanottsoomitaaks (Brave Dog Society) with his true love Cheryl.  He loved this way of life and being part of Aakokatsin, he finished out his life as an Elder. He was integral to the lives of his family and will be forever missed by his little man Kai. Julius had a close relationship with his No Runner family the loss is deeply felt by his brothers, Tom, Delvin, Calvin, Clayton, Lane and Shane. 

Being adept with horses, Julius pursued for many years Horse Racing and stood numerous times in the Winners circle. Julius proudly recalled when he and Uncle Don No Runner and the boys travelled two and a half hours to Millarville, Alberta’sracetrack for their annual Canada Day celebrations. Arriving late at the racetrack due to heavy traffic, they frantically rushed and assisted one another in preparing their horses scheduled to run intwo separate races. At the end of the day, they walked away proudly winning each of their respective races.  He lived a very full life until he succumbed to prolonged illness due to an unfortunate work injury that marked the decline in his health. He had always hoped he could return to work but sadly, it was not meant to be.  Julius leaves behind a void in the lives of loved ones he touched through his family, his ceremonial way of life and the many close friendships he forged throughout his lifetime.  He will be remembered for his piercing blue eyes sparkling mischievously, and he was so witty, and spoke fluent Blackfoot.  He was always teasing his sisters-in-law.

Predeceased by his mother Iitsstiinikki/Cecile and his father James Provost, his siblings; Isabel Heavy Shields, Raymond Black Water, Cecile Yellow Wings, Elizabeth Day Chief, his Nieces; Ramona Heavy Shields and Dorothy Mae Spear Chief and his Grandparents Samakiinaa/Spear Chief and Aakaikamosakii/Many Stealing Woman. His In-laws; Lawrence and Marina No Runner and brothers Robert No Runner and Alvin Cross Child. His extended family are the Prairie Chicken, Medicine Crane and Bull Shields.