Matthew Gone

Matthew Peter Gone was called back to Creator on March 1, 2024 on his birthday. His ceremonial name is “Nee ee-na ga da yay he” Good Eagle. He was born to Calvin Pete Gone Sr. and Mary Joyce “Birdtail” Gone. He was 76 years old. The second oldest child in a family of 13. In his early years, Matt attended school at St. Paul’s Mission in Hays, MT until the 8th grade. In his high school years, he attended Flandreau Indian School in South Dakota and graduated in 1967. After high school he spent a lot of time with his Mom. One time while driving through Georgia, he said he smelled mom’s wheel bread and deer steaks!

Matt’s son Jericho loved spending time with his dad. They went fishing, attended spirit lodges, sun dances, and Matt enjoyed just riding around with his son Jericho. He loved his dad very very much and is going to miss him with all his heart.

Our brother Matt worked for Billy Tucker tanning deer hides and they would travel to Denver and sell them. Soon therafter Matt met our adopted brother Leroy Tucker (Teeners). Then the both of them, Matt and Teeners, went to school for truck driving. This was back in 1972. He graduated in 1974 and soon after that brother Matt started his truck driving career.

He became a truck driver early on and drove all over the United States with his son Jericho. Every state he went through, he would bring “Mom” a coffee cup. She had her kitchen wall lined with many state cups. She was very proud of her cups and more proud of her son. He drove for many years.

He embraced our native way of life. He fell in love with the Cree way. He walked this path for the rest of his life. That’s when he met Kenneth Gopher, his brother, and his family. They took him in and taught him many many beautiful ceremonies. Then, he was adopted by Kenneth Gopher and they became life long friends. Matt also came to know Bill W of Alcoholics Anonymous. He needed to find his sobriety and himself. Matt sobered up in 1978 and passed away with 46 years of sobriety. These gifts were given to him by his creator. Matt sponsored many many people and carried the AA message until he had fallen ill.

He is survived by his son Jericho (Gia) LaForge; brothers Gene (Doris) Gone, Howard (Geraldine) Gone, Leonard Gone, Royce Gone; sisters Lynda (Wayne) Azure, Phil (Gene) LaValdo, Seanna Gone Harshman, Victoria (Kirk) Healy, Roberta Azure, and Faith Gone; and many extended family members.

He is preceded in death by Father Calvin P. Gone Sr.; Mother Mary Joyce Birdtail Gone; sister Gloria Shopteese; brother Calvin P. Gone Jr.

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