Elias Goes Ahead

Tribal Historian and advocate of Crow allottee land, made his passage to heaven on December 2, 2016, in Pryor, MT. Elias, Ala'chi'wakii' e`eh'cheesh' (Knows How to Pray), was born in Crow Agency, MT, on June 18, 1960, to Sylvester “Cartie” and Ruby Iron Goes Ahead. His Indian name was given to him by his uncle, Louis Lion Shows. He was raised in Pryor, a Pentecostal and a member of Mountain Crow Worship Center, the Ties in the Bundle clan and a child of the Sore Lip Clan. He received his education at St. Charles Mission, graduated from Plenty Coups High School May 1978 and attended Little Big Horn College Elias was employed by the Crow Tribe Abandoned Mine Lands (AML), Natural Resource Dept., Bilingual Program and Apsaalooke Tours as an interpreter and a teacher aide for Plenty Coups High School. In his younger years, he worked as a firefighter in the summer months until the fire of Yellowstone Park, when his Crow crew, under the leadership of Channis Whiteman, got trapped in the fire trying to save a ranch and barely made it out alive. It ended his days as a firefighter. Elias was a descendant of Chiefs Plenty Coups, Crazy Head, Horse Guard and Red Bear. He was a member of Friends of Chief Plenty Coups and active in the Plenty Coups Day of Honor as a presenter. His greatest passion was Crow history and devoted 13 years of extensive research to compile a book on “The Battle of Arrow Creek.” He volunteered his time at Plenty Coups Museum and transcribed taped oral stories of Crow elders into English. He was a historical speaker on the battles of Arrow Creek, Pryor Gap, Big Horn Basin, Huntley, Laurel Box Canyon, Corburn, Lewistown, Great Falls, and Yellowstone Park, the history of Pompey Pillar, campsites of the Apsaalooke, both winter and spring sites, the lineages of Crow Chiefs and Crow vision quest sites throughout Montana and Wyoming and provided guided tours to many of these places. Elias created his own diorama to show the Indian battles for his presentations. To have such a knowledgeable and comprehensive mind to remember dates, facts and names was a God given talent. He didn't need notes to tell his stories. He was such a good story-teller, he made you feel as if you were there. Elias was a member of the Crow Allottee Association and fought for the rights of the allottee land owners. He opened an office in Pryor in the Community Center to assist them with land issues. In spite of being disabled due to a back injury and other health issues, he kept being active. Elias played basketball in grade school and high school. He joined an independent basketball team and travelled to many places to compete in basketball tournaments. He collected NBA, NFL and MLB cards and GI Joe and NBA figures. He was a disco dancer, a fisherman (fly fishing), a deer, elk and bird hunter, and liked to bowl, ski and roller skate. He loved the outdoors, especially being in the Pryor and Big Horn Mountains. He enjoyed visiting his friends, relatives and elders. His phone buddies were Henry “Sargie” Old Horn, Earl Bear Crane, Vernie Turnsplenty, Ruben Spotted Horse, Dickie White Clay, Howard Round Face and Terry Plain Bull. These were “very important” calls. His roommates at one time were Archie Jefferson and the late Bruce Pretty on Top and were known as the “Two and a Half Men.” His special friends on historical matters were Mike Penfold and Howard Boggess He lived in Hardin, MT, with his companion, Kathy Don't Mix, and then made his home in Pryor. He was preceded in death by Kathy, his parents, brothers Adrian and Myron and nephew, Adrian Goes Ahead. Survivors include his children, Carl (Sarah) and Zachery Monroy, Garren, Angel, Sidney, Elias “Grubbz,” Jaris and KateLyne Goes Ahead, and Tatum Pretty On Top; step-children, Eli, Hillary and Chelsea Don't Mix;14 grandchildren and cherished the time spent with Taliyah, Elias III and Khleo of Ft. Belknap; siblings, Pastor Rhea, Carlson “Duke” (Ginger) and Dana (Karen) Goes Ahead and Marilyn (Rev. Jay) Simpson, and nieces and nephews and their children, who he loved dearly; adopted siblings, Mike Little Nest, Eugene Red Star, Arbutus Covers Up and Norris Davies; aunts, Agnes (Larry) Pretty Weasel, Regina Goes Ahead and Charlene Laverdure and many first cousins from the Iron, Three Irons, Good Luck, De Crane, Goes Ahead, Turnsplenty, Whiteman, Cummins and Pretty Weasel families whom he considered as his brothers and sisters. His extended relatives include the Brass, Otter Stays in Water, Black Hawk, Yellow Mule Red Wolf, Hunts the Arrow, Iron Horse, Morrison, Big Lake, Humphrey, Hugs, Bear Cloud, Old Horn, Plain Feather, Bull Chief, Bull Horse, Charges Strong-Wilson, Jefferson, Caplett, Old Crane, Big Hail, Wall, Plain Bull, Lion Shows, Rock Above, and Bends. If we have forgotten anyone in our time of grief, please forgive us. Viewing will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 6, with Vigil Service at 6 p.m. at Dahl Funeral Chapel, 10 Yellowstone Avenue. Funeral services will be held at Plenty Coups High School Gym, Pryor, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 7. Burial will be at the Goes Ahead Cemetery. A potluck reception will be held at St. Charles Mission Gym after the funeral.