Joette L. Small, Is-kwew Kah-ki-kwah-Nit (Woman with Long Wing Span), 58, passed away due to natural causes at Benefis Healthcare on Monday, August 16, 2021.  Wake services will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, and will continue until her funeral services, which will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 18, 2021.  Burial will follow in the Small Family Cemetery.  Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Joette was born on February 21, 1963, in Havre to Paul and Ruby (Fox) Small, Sr.  She was raised and attended school in Rocky Boy, graduating from Rocky Boy High School in 1981.  Soon after, she married Russell Gopher, and the couple had three children before later divorcing.  After having her children, Joette attended Stone Child College for a while.  She worked for several years as a caregiver for Ruby and Elsie Standing Rock, and then spent a couple of years working as a teacher's aid for the Rocky Boy Headstart.

Joette was a loving woman who enjoyed crossword and wordsearch puzzles, Bingo, playing the machines, cooking, and berry-picking. She was always teasing those she loved, and when she was younger, she liked beading.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Ruby Small, Sr., and her brothers, Joseph Small, Paul "Rocky" Small, Jr., and Emory Small.

Joette is survived by her children, Craig (Crystal) Gopher, Jerome (Desiree) Gopher, and Tyler Gopher, all of Rocky Boy; nine grandchildren, Aeron, Jayden, Lillian, Thomas, Zayden, Tayson, Tyler Jr., Tayler, and Thomina Small; brothers, Gerald (Misty) Small, Sr., Direk Small, Sr., Clinton Small, Marty (Sunny) Small, and Theron Small; sisters, Vanessa Small, Sharlene Small, Paulette Small, Farrah Small, and Jalene (Roland Dixon, Jr.) Small; adopted brothers, Bert (Kitty) Medicine Bull and Willis (Eulonda) Kaline; adopted sister, Alaina BuffaloSpirit; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and other extended family in the US and Canada and friends, including the Fox and Wahobin families.