Chance River "Vé’ho’kôhtse; Baaihkuutchkiixxiassash" Alden

Chance River Alden
June 21, 2004 – March 26, 2026

Chance River Alden was born on June 21, 2004, in Crow Agency, Montana, to JP Alden and his biological mother, Deanna Spotted Elk. He was adopted and lovingly raised by his grandparents, the late Joseph Alden Jr. and Charlene Waters Alden.
Chance carried two Indian names. His Cheyenne name, Vé'ho'kôhtse, Sweet Grass, was given to him by his dad JP Alden, and his Crow name, Baaihkuutchkiixxiassash ("One Who Makes Good/Wise Decisions"), was given to him by Tristan Goodluck.
Chance attended Colstrip Schools through the sixth grade before transferring to St. Labre Indian School. He later graduated from Lame Deer High School. After graduation, he attended Job Corps in Anaconda, where he earned his carpentry certification. He went on to work for Battle Creek Construction, traveling to various locations with the company.
Raised in the country south of Lame Deer, Chance grew up surrounded by family, culture, and the land he loved. He was riding horses before he could walk and became an exceptional horseman. His natural athleticism carried over into sports, where he excelled in basketball, baseball, cross country and track.
In recent years, Chance returned to one of his greatest passions-horses. He trained horses and rode in Indian Relay for Roundstone Relay, a sport deeply rooted in family and tradition. His dad, JP, proudly supported him as a team catcher. Chance's relay journey began early, in 2013, with his team, Sweetgrass Relay, where he competed with his team of mini horses and won the All Nations Indian Relay in Sheridan, Wyoming. In July 2021, he competed in his first major relay race in Ogden, Utah, where he earned his first victory. In 2022, riding for Roundstone Relay, Chance won the prestigious Chief Race at the Horse Nations Indian Relay Council Championships in Casper, Wyoming.
Chance was also selected as a stunt rider during the filming of the movie Horizons in Moab, Utah, working alongside Kevin Costner.
He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior during the Cowboy Life Ministries Rodeo Bible Camp and was baptized in the Little Bighorn River. In 2017, he also took part in fasting at Bear Butte, demonstrating both his spiritual strength and his deep connection to his culture.
Chance considered becoming a father his greatest achievement above all else. He was a devoted and attentive dad to his daughter, Ismayla, from a previous relationship with Anvianna, and he took pride in every moment he spent with her. He remained committed to working with her mother to co-parent and support Ismayla, always keeping his daughter's well-being at the center of his efforts. Whether it was carefully picking out her hair bows and headbands or keeping extra binkies tucked in his pockets in case hers fell to the ground, he showed his love in the gentlest, most thoughtful ways. He cherished taking her on walks around the family home, introducing her to his horses, the barns, and the world he knew, talking to her as if she understood every word. On one of their most recent outings, they visited his childhood trampoline, and he mentioned that he wanted to get her a new one, knowing his had grown worn with age. His love for Ismayla was constant, gentle, and full of pride, and it defined the very best part of who he was.
Chance was preceded in death by his beloved Papa Joseph Alden Jr., Sister/cousin Caitlyn Haley Wilson, his grandfathers Belo & Alvin Alden, Ronald Falls Down Sr., Floyd Waters, James Walkslast, and Leslie Spotted Elk; his great-grandfathers Joseph Alden Sr. and Phillip Whiteman Sr, Gus Harris; his great-grandmothers Ruth Backbone Alden and Florence Whiteman, Ataloa Harris; his grandmothers Lavonne Tallbear, Daphne Alden, and Philex Whitemam; numerous uncles including Gary Joe Whiteman, Shylon Alden, Greg Three Irons, Alvin Three Irons, Indian Three Irons, Jonathan Walkslast, JD Oldmouse, Jace Killsback, Floyd Waters Jr., and Ozzy Wilson; cousins Anthony "Nugget" Whitemam, Joseph E. "Hurricane" Waters, and Tommy Charette; as well as adopted brothers Journey Emerson and Toby Labeau.
Survivors include his daughter Ismayla Iyla-Dawn, his best friend and partner Lily, His mother Charlene Alden, Father JP Alden, Sisters, Aliya, Laiya, and Caiydance Alden. Brothers Colton, Dalton, and Navelle. Adopted Sister – Myleah Amyotte and Asia & Destynee Two Moons. Adopted brothers – Seth Hill, DJ Wick, Sterling Red Star, Jayven Strangeowl, Mosiah Shotgunn, Jarrell Highwalker, James Brown, Ethan Seminole, Nahshon Bighorn, Aiden Backer, and Adriano Lebeaux. Aunts Shannon (Henry) Wilson, Krystal (Paul) Hill, Leslie (Clayton) Neiss. Sister/Cousins – Mikayla Wilson, Shawntay & Mckinlei Alden, Mariah Aragon. Brother/Cousins – Joe Wilson, Jayson Hill, Canyon, Cameron and Cody Neiss. Biological mom Deanna Spottedelk. Great Grandmother Gloria Waters, Rhoda Bullcoming, Grandmothers Francis, Clara, Laurie Alden. Joselyn (Clarence) Three Irons, Anita (Dana) Old Coyote, Lorraine (Tom Rollefson) Waters, Jolene Walkslast, Florene & Phillene Whiteman, Lori One Bear & Kathy Harris, Evette Archambeau. Grandfathers, Harold (Debbie) Backbone, Shawn (Diana) Backbone, Joseph Waters Jr., Phillip (Nicole) Whiteman Jr., Ryne (Barbera) Harris, Lynn (Roberta) HarrisAunts Polly (Ellsworth) Decrane, Nema (Charlie Scott) Alden, Sharon Whiteman, Michelle (Coolidge) Jefferson, Rochelle (Eugene) Deputy, Laurie (Lonnie) Fritzler, Ivy Rose (Marlin) Stewart, Shara Rose, Tanya, Christina Beardontwalk, Elisha, Shaleen, Tammy & Vanessa (Josh Smith) Old Coyote, Rosie Tallbear, Neva (Gary Dawes) Tallbear. Debbie Charette, Jana (Leo) Goesahead, Mariah Walkslast, Amy Oldmouse, Amy Waters, Philona & Sally Whiteman, Emily Killsback, Kinsley, Izariah, Jaylene Walksalong, Lujuanna, Terri Jo, Florence & Nelly Whiteman, Courtnee Bement, Marjean (Sheldon) Seminole. Uncles Patrick Tidwell, Brandon, Randy, and Adrian Beardontwalk, Manuel (Mary) Whiteman, Tommy (Val) Whiteman, Mike, Kevin, and Ronald Buck Elk, Clay, and Cameron (Tena) Three Irons, Joe (Heidi) Kindness, Marcus (Frances) Old Coyote, Moses Dee Tallbear. Desi Rollefson, Elijah Waters, Steven Horn, Ty Wade Madrigal, Sheldon & Anthony Mareyo Whiteman, Lewarren, Justin, Casey, PJ, Wesley Whiteman, Jehan, Isiah, Jaydell Walksalong, Evann & Jeffery Walkslast, Jade Bement.

A special acknowledgment is given to his mentor and friends, J. David Roundstone, Ryne Harris, Clayton Neiss, and Quannah Magpie, for their unwavering support and guidance.

In his 21 years, Chance touched many lives and was known for his warm smile and his habit of visiting with everyone he met. The family sincerely apologizes if any names have been unintentionally omitted during this difficult time of grief. We ask for your understanding as we honor Chance's life and memory.