Hunting James Hill

Obituary for Hunting James Hill “Tatanka Cangleska” ~ Buffalo Alter and “ChíilapIIsah” ~ Buffalo’s Chief.

Hunting James Hill was born on August 24, 2004, in Lander to Jacob and Trish Hill. Hunting was a beloved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend whose gentle spirit and kind heart touched many lives. He was deeply loved by his family, relatives, Sundance family, and community, and his memory will forever live in the hearts of those who knew him.

Hunting is survived by his parents Jacob and Trish Hill; his siblings Hildred Hill, Lilliana Hill, Dosa Hill, Ainga Hill, Bia Hill, Sage Hill, Willow Hill, Cedar Hill, Stanleta Hill, and Greenlee Burnett.

He is lovingly remembered by his grandparents Carla Cloud Horse, Virgil Yellow Cloud, Rick and Ethleen Iron Cloud Two Dogs, Zedora Enos, Allen Enos, Alvina Willow, Vimber and Rose Long Wolf, Deloris Bear Killer, Shirley Ghost Dog, Beverly Gay, Alberta Gay, Doris Grass, Patti Medicine Horse, Mary Jane Googles, Rose Wadda, Leta Aoah, Betty Hill, Nola Weeks, Noreen Panzatenga, Vernita Panzatenga, Coose Hereford, Dallas Coando, Rachael Ynostrosa, Drusilla Gould, Lynelle Vonfelt, Benna Gould, Verlon and Sherice Gould, Georgie Tendoy, Elsa St. Clair, Helen Ward, Theresa and Mel Sather, Arland Moss, Kathreen Shakespeare, Shawn and Seren Collins, Tom and Adrienne Dunlap, Chester and Vicki Pingree, Kassel Weeks, Ivora Hill, Daisy Hill, Ronald Braman, Lynette Braman, Beverly Hill, Rocky and Christy Hill, Kathy Hill, Delmont Shakespeare, Jimmy Pingree, John Pingree, Eileen Iron Cloud, Mary Iron Cloud, Jeff Iron Cloud, Ed “Buzz” Iron Cloud, Wilma Yellow Cloud, Harriet Yellow Cloud, Geneva Yellow Cloud, Violet Bear Runner, Jess Yellow Cloud, Roger Yellow Cloud, Terry Yellow Cloud, Wade and Theresa Lebeau, Tommy Lebeau, Crawford Shakespeare, Ben Cloud, Chuck and Jolynn Washakie, Sybil Thunderhawk, Milton Bianas-Cecil, Karen Snyder, Sam Weeks, Carol Ferris, Maude Reddist-Fonseca, Alva-Rod Rolliard, Billy and Tiffany Velarde, Annie Velarde, Cody and Gail Tiechert, Audrie Chippewa, Moe Cady, Denise Hill, Charlene Tahdooahnippah and family, Linda, Donna and Pearl Tillman, Dennis and Maria O’Neal, and Elizabeth Birding Ground and family.

He is also survived by his great-grandfather Waylon Bonatsi and great-grandmothers, Mary Jane Goggles and Rose Wadda. His aunties and uncles on his father’s side include Austin and Bobbie Hill, Fin and Talea Jorgenson, Little Wind Lebeau, Wind River Lebeau, Mike Hill, Victoria and Tyson Jeannotte, Sonnicant Lebeau, Darrold Bronco and Ina Weed, Lynn “Muccup” and Rae McAdams, George Abeyta, Henry and Dondie Howell, Ann Abeyta, Cornisa Abeyta, Josh and Stacia Davis, Nick Cortez, James and Theresa Trosper, Adam and Theresa Hill, Colley Willow, Videla Gould, Sheila Washington, Philma Willow, Hatti Willow, Jason Lebeau, Wade Lebeau, Red Lebeau, Shawna and Brandi Decola, Stormi Lebeau, Fawn Lebeau, Theresa Lajeannesse, Edith Hill, Cammie Hill, Karessa George, Missy Hill, Wilson Hill, Jodie McAdams, Shawn McAdams, Tom McAdams and family, Ernie and Georgette Running Eagle, Anthony Hill, Percel and Lori J. Sunrhodes, Windon Tillman, Terry Tillman, Newly Ridley, Leann Pinnecoose, Percel Ceespooch, Mandi Arrowchis, Stephanie Cuch, Milly, Bert and Arianna Metz, Vicky Panzatenga, Deedee Panzatenga, Bear Lang, and Crystalyn Coulston and family. His aunties and uncles on his mother’s side include Thomas and April Cloud Horse, Ashley and Jeremy Hammock, Genia and Nick Campbell, Virgil Jr. Yellow Cloud, Ty and Ashley Lunderman, Joe and Randilynn Giago, Marlin Medicine Horse, Lawrence and Kyli Long Wolf, Wakinyan Bear Runner and family, Wambli Bear Runner and family, Wakispe Bear Runner and family, Wamni Bear Runner and family, Alaina Clifford and family, Josh Yellow Cloud and family, Nicole and Destiny Yellow Cloud, Suzanna and Robert Tillman Sr., Michaelyn and Justin Bear, Jayson and Sarah High Walking, Charlene Dressler and family, Tom Dressler, Tasha Mousseau and family, Sesalie Red Owl and family, Stanley Holder and family, Noah Holder and family, Dee and Chris Benson, along with many other relatives and loved ones.

Hunting is also survived by numerous cousins including Wetu Rain Cloud Horse, Emely Robinson, Anukasan Cloud Horse, Charlie Cloud Horse, Misun McAdams, Aleigha Yellow Cloud, Isiah Aimsback, Tasia, Stormi, Marcus, Deryck Littlewolf Lebeau, Littlewind Lebeau, Arianna Lebeau, Isiah, Jayden, Amaria, Elijah, Brooklyn, John, Arleta, Tifton, Camelia, Beanove, Hutchu, Modosh, Niavee, Maggie, Tsanut, Sunti, Cedar Pine Lebeau, Milo Lebeau, Zonnique McCants, Crow Hill, Teton Trosper, Josie Trosper, Salisha Abeyta, Joaquin Underwood, Alica and Abby Lajeaunesse, Princess and Dawee Howell and Natcheech, the Abeyta children, the Bear Runner children, and the Janis children.

Hunting is also survived by his girlfriend Jackie Surrell and his in-laws Boyd Surrell and Margaret Wagon.

Hunting was preceded in death by his Hootsie Regina Hill, Jola Lebeau, Rhonda Lebeau, great-grandmother Tso Ada Denver (Padilla), Frances and Dan Tillman, Dewayne and Orbana Cady, Nathan and Winona Genereaux, Earl Lebeau, Winterhawk Lebeau, Dexter Aoah, Nelda Aoah, Sara Aoah, Alice McGill, Ralph Aleta Stump, Helene and Cubby Oldman, Tony and Roberta Engavo, Mildred Weeks, Panzy St. Clair, Wilfred Jr. Hill, Sterleen Hill, Angel Hill, Standord and Dee Hill, Woody and Darlene Hill, his Daga Robert Tillman Jr., TaKaya Hill, his Unci Winifred White Face-Janis, Harris Yellow Cloud, Dewayne Yellow Cloud, Steven Yellow Cloud, and Rainstorm Andersen.

Hunting had a big heart for his family, relatives, and animals. He was known for his warm smile, gentle nature, and welcoming spirit. His mother lovingly called him her “gentle giant” because of the comfort and kindness he shared so freely with others. Hunting greeted everyone with a hug and smile, he always made people feel welcomed and loved.

At five months old, Hunting received his Apsáalooke name, ‘ChíilapIIsah’ Chief of the Buffalo, in a ceremony held by his grandfather Larson Medicine Horse. At the age of eight, he received his Lakota name, “Tatanka Cangleska,” in a ceremony by his grandfather Hmuya Mani. Hunting believed deeply in his Shoshone and Lakota ways and was a proud Sundancer.

One of the proudest moments of Hunting’s life was completing his rite of passage (Pte Wanase) buffalo hunt ceremony. On a 102-degree day, Hunting brought down not one, but two buffalo with a single bullet. This was something that is not common and spoke to his incredible strength and spirit. This ceremonial hunt allowed him to help feed not only his Shoshone relatives in Wyoming for their sundance, but also another tióšpaye in South Dakota, so they could feed at their sundance. His generosity and deep commitment to his people reflected the kind of young man he was. Hunting carried great pride in providing for others and honoring the teachings, responsibilities, and ways of life that had been passed down to him by his father, uncles, and grandparents.

Hunting loved to joke around and tell stories. He enjoyed welding, hunting, fishing, and spending time in the Wind River Mountains. He especially loved his cats, his siblings, and his mother’s cooking. His laughter, kindness, and loving heart brought comfort to everyone around him.

Hunting attended Fort Washakie School from kindergarten through high school and graduated in 2023. He was employed at Shoshone Rose Casino where he worked for the past two years. Wake services will be held Saturday, May 23 at 7:00 p.m. at 147 Ethete Road in Fort Washakie. Traditional services will be officiated by Shawn Collins.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, May 24, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Rocky Mountain Hall, 19 North Fork Road, Fort Washakie, Wyoming, with traditional services officiated by Thomas Cloud Horse. Burial will follow at Sacajawea Cemetery. A feast and giveaway will follow services at Rocky Mountain Hall.

We apologize if we left anyone out. He comes from a large family. He decends from the Shoshone, Paiute, Ute, Sicangu People.