John Andrew Youngbear, “Nahkoso”, was born October 7, 1970 to Ben and Myrna Youngbear in Denver, Colorado. John was born into a prominent traditional, ceremonial family on both sides of his family. He was a Chief’s child and descendent. John knew and understood his traditional teachings and upbringing.
John attended the University of Montana School of Journalism and spent his life as an extremely talented photojournalist with a very gifted eye. He was a former picture desk editor at the Associated Press, was the former Media Specialist at the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority and the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Board of Health. John was a photojournalist for the Rockford IL Register-Star, the Detroit Free Press, the Witchita Eagle, the Philadelphia Inquirer and did freelance work for multiple news outlets. In his career he captured several photos that made international headlines on the newswire – one being Martha Stewart after her conviction to prison and the infamous Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski as he left his remote Montana mountain cabin after being taken into custody.
John was also a gifted and dedicated instructor of photography at his local tribal college – Chief Dull Knife College, where he nurtured and mentored many students in their photography studies. He was a core, founding member of the Junior PathMakers – a mentoring network of up and coming Northern Cheyenne professionals committed to the future of our youth and to passing on traditional knowledge to them on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. Here Cheyenne Epic was born and John documented that journey through his camera lens.
One of his proudest accomplishments was co-founding Cheyenne Ave. a multimedia publication covering reservation news from the street beat to politics, often broaching difficult topics while being dedicated to speaking truth to power. David Crisp, the editor of the former newspaper the Billings Outpost, blazed the headline about Cheyenne Ave. with highest praise, “A rising star in Lame Deer – the best breath of fresh air I have seen or heard in a long time.”
John will be remembered for his deep and generous love for his family. He was a fan of anything Star Wars, Tina Turner, Alison Kraus and Formula One racing. He loved to travel and try new things and food. He will be remembered for is keen and witty sense of humor.
He is survived by his mother, Myrna Burgess of the family home, long-time friend Corry Thomas Bullcoming, sister Shawna Youngbear Small (Will), brother Anthony Youngbear, and children Shawna Youngbear and Shannon Youngbear Birdinground (Isaiah), grandchildren Jared, Andrew, Leila, Natasha, Lorenzo, Mariana and Katlyn. Nieces and nephews – Ashley, Anthony Jr., Christopher, Tyrell, James, John, Trace, Talia. Adopted family – brothers Robbie Gondara and Russell Brooks, adopted sisters Dr. Brooke Beaverheart Gondara, Judi Yellowrobe, Daneeta Fisher, Stacie Joiner, and Donna Bearcomesout. And numerous friends and family – our family is large and we would not want to forget anyone.
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
6:30 PM
Tuesday February 18, 2020
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Funeral Service
10:00 AM
Wednesday February 19, 2020
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Wednesday February 19, 2020
Birney Cemetery
Birney, Montana 59012
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
6:30 PM
Tuesday February 18, 2020
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Funeral Service
10:00 AM
Wednesday February 19, 2020
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Wednesday February 19, 2020
Birney Cemetery
Birney, Montana 59012
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Former student says
Just want to send my most sincere condolences to Myrna & family, & say thank you again to Mr. YoungBear for his teachings. I was at a very low point in my life shortly after the death of a loved one & I started my college career with Mr. YoungBear. It was exactly what I needed in my life at the right moment. You showed us so many wonderful things that we miss in everyday life looking through the lens of the camera. Thank you again Mr. YoungBear for helping me out in my life when I needed it. Fly high through the stars & my your journey always be blessed.
Carrie Small says
My Condolences Dear John n Family. Rest in paradise pain free n at peace♡
ROBERT LITTLE WOLF says
THE NORTHERN CHEYENNE CHIEF COUNCIL EXTEND THEIR MOST SINCERE CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS FOR STRENGTH DURING THIS SAD, SORROWFUL AND MOURNFUL TIME FOR THE LOSS OF A BELOVED LOVE ONE. THE CHIEF COUNCIL PRAY THAT MAHEO’S STRENGTH WILL COMFORT THE FAMILY DURING THIS MOURNFUL TIME.
Lynette Spang & family says
Prayers to the Youngbear family during this hard time! RIP John
Miriam Knows His Gun-Beartusk says
Rest with the Angels, John. It was an honor to call you my friend. My love and sympathy to Myrna and all your family and loved ones. May God comfort you all.
Carlene headswift says
We love you brother you will be missed very very much
Kyle Wood says
I went to journalism school with John in Missoula. He was one of the most talented and thoughtful journalists I ever worked with. My deepest condolences to his family.
Geri Small says
Rest in Paradise John, Love, Hugs and Prayers to Myra, Relatives and Friends❤🖤💛💚
Andrita Harris says
Myrna Burgess and Youngbear Family sending my deepest condolences and prayers to all of you. John was a good friend, very smart and talented. RIP.
Patty Reksten says
I taught photojournalism when John was a student at UM. He was not only extremely talented, but also focused on telling the important stories of his community. Stories that exposed challenges as well as successes. Sending positive energy to his family and friends.
Rachel E. LaRance says
My prayers and condolences to Myrna and family. May the Lord bless and give you peace during this time.
I had worked with him at Board of Health and was sorry to see him go. He was friendly to everyone and talented. Rest in peace, Jon.
Sylvester Knows His Gun says
I just found out about John’s passing. John’s dad Ben Young Bear was my friend. In fact, I was honored by Myrna to be one of Ben’s pall bearers at his funeral.
I offer sincere condolences to Myrna and to John’s loved ones during their time of loss.
Kathie Hayton Mayer says
I went to the J-school in Missoula with John. I don’t remember ever seeing him without a camera in his hand. I am so sorry to hear of his passing.
Sharon Dinstel says
Myrna and All The Family,
John was a Good Guy, a Dear Friend, and my Colleague. We worked together at Chief Dull Knife College. John would greet me with a smile, a kind heart, and would often share his work with me. We had many talks. While we didn’t solve all the problems of the World, I know the World is a Better Place because of you, John.
Praying for your healing, comfort, and strength. I am so sorry. Hugs to All of You!!
Fay Matheny says
John took my Journalism class at Colstrip High School. He was an excellent photographer even then. I’m glad he followed his dreams of a career in journalism. My sympathy goes out to his family.
Dennis Swibold says
John was an amazing photojournalist and a true soul. I’m glad to have known him.
Thomas Nybo says
John was one of the most authentic human beings I’ve met and I consider myself lucky to call him friend. I met him in journalism school in Missoula. We made two unforgettable trips together to Lame Deer for a reporting project. My heart goes out to his family, friends and community — he was a gem of a person. Here is something I wrote and shared with some friends about John:
A sad time for my Montana J-School crew. The most colorful (and arguably most talented) among us has left this world at the young age of 49. John Youngbear was at his core a witness, and this quality made him an exceptional photographer and a complex individual. His father was a chief, and Youngbear called the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in southeastern Montana home. He took famous photos of the Unabomber and Martha Stewart on their way to prison; but what I remember most was his astute comic sensibility, especially regarding the absurd and/or hypocritical. Youngbear could see something and comment with a mere glimmer in his eye. Nothing escaped his gaze. His presence at J-School was the stuff of legend, if only because he was rarely seen during the day, and would invariably appear like an apparition at night as we scrambled to assemble the next day’s student newspaper. He would walk quietly into the men’s room, open the window, crawl out on the roof, and open the window to his photography professor’s room, climb in, and work like a ninja tweaking his photos throughout the night.
When I was assigned to work with him on a J-School project documenting homelessness on Montana’s Indian reservations, he took me on two long journeys back to his family home and we stayed with his mother, and he opened my eyes to the inequity and cruelty of how this country has treated its first inhabitants. Youngbear never lectured — instead, he took me to places and gave me entry into a geographically and economically isolated world where people struggle and are given little chance to succeed. Along the way, I became the witness, watching Youngbear among his people. There was love and commiseration and laughter. The Native sense of humor must be experienced firsthand to be appreciated. These journeys with my friend John Youngbear, perhaps more than anything, inspired me to travel the world and document the struggles of others in difficult and often unjust situations. When a writer at the student paper was confused about which zoom lens to buy for his camera, John told him to buy just one lens, one that doesn’t zoom. “It’s too wide,” the writer said. “It’s not too wide,” Youngbear said. “You need to get closer.” That’s how he approached life — closer. Rest in peace, my friend. You are missed.
John Collier says
John was a wonderful person….I can’t believe he is gone. We worked together at the Detroit free press and became friends. We were Facebook friends but distant to each other like what I am afraid much of the world has become. I miss him and wish I knew what happened to him. I am so sorry for Johns family, I know their loss is painful and deep.John Collier
Marsha Small says
John was a gifted human. Prayers to the family, friends, and communities.
Sandra Moran says
May his memory be a blessing.
Shanny Spang Gion says
Even though we only really visited a handful of times while John worked at Board of Health in Lame Deer, he had this way with humor that made you feel joy, think harder about the joke, and provided a deep sense of welcoming all at the same time. So glad to have shared even that little bit of time with him. Sending continued thoughts and prayers to his family in their time of grief.
Leila knows his gun says
I miss him so much he was the best grandpa he was like a dad to me love u 2-14-2020💔
Mark Stoughton says
John and I had different journalism fellowships one summer in the mid-90s and ended up as roommates for several weeks after a strike at the Detroit Free Press sent us both to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Unassumingly, he shared some of his extraordinarily powerful photoessays from his community — it was the first time I understood what photojournalism could do and mean, and that he had a remarkable gift, and a remarkable humanity. We were in touch extremely episodically over the years—this message results from my latest impulse to look him up, which came too late. I treasure my memories of John, and can only offer my deep condolences to the many he loved, and who loved him.