Clarence "Curly Bear" Wagner, a cultural leader and historian from the Blackfeet Nation of Montana, died last Thursday. He was 64.

Wagner, a Vietnam veteran, served as cultural director for his tribe and worked to preserve Blackfeet history. He was instrumental in the passage of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990.

"Montana has lost one of its most gifted tribal storytellers and cultural spokespersons," Mark Baumler, a Montana historic preservation officer, told the Associated Press.

Wagner is being buried today.

Get the Story:
Blackfeet cultural leader Clarence Wagner dies (AP 7/20)
Eric Newhouse: Curly Bear Wagner was inspirational resource and friend (The Great Falls Tribune 7/21)