Indianz.Com > News > Blackfeet Nation mourns passing of longtime Chief Earl Old Person
Blackfeet Nation mourns passing of longtime Chief Earl Old Person
Monday, October 18, 2021
Indianz.Com
The Blackfeet Nation is mourning the loss of Earl Old Person, the tribe’s longtime chief and former chairman.
Old Person passed away last Wednesday after a long battle with cancer, the tribe said. He was 92 years old.
“The Blackfeet People have suffered a huge loss today with the passing of Chief Old Person,” the tribe said in a statement. “A chapter in our history has come to a close. The Blackfeet Tribe offers prayers and support to the family of Earl at this time.”
Old Person joined the tribal council in 1952. He served for over 60 years, including more than 50 years as chairman.
“During this time, Earl met many dignitaries including every U.S. President since Dwight Eisenhower, the British Royal Family, the Shah of Iran, and other world leaders,” the tribe said.
Old Person continued his service to the tribe following his stint as chairman. He was bestowed the title of chief, a hereditary position, in 1978. “We recognize that with Chief Old Person’s passing, an era has come to an end in Blackfeet and Montana Indian history,” the Montana American Indian Caucus, consisting of state lawmakers in Montana, said in a letter to the Blackfeet Nation on Friday. “His legacy will live on for generations in the collective memory of Montana and the country,” the lawmakers said. In addition to leading his tribe, Old Person was known as a strong advocate for Indian Country. He served two terms as president of the National Congress of American Indians and was president of the Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest Indians."HIs legacy will live on for generations in the collective memor of Montana and the country": Montana American Indian Caucus statement on passing of Earl Old Person, Blackfeet Nation chief & longtime former chair.
— indianz.com (@indianz) October 15, 2021
Old Person passed on at the age of 92. #EarlOldPerson #Obituaries pic.twitter.com/cuNCD5E4bX
Search
Filed Under
Tags
More Headlines
Native America Calling: A sample of Native Guitars Tour 2024
Native America Calling: How Native literature is changing the mainstream narrative
Native America Calling: No ordinary animal
Native America Calling: Safeguards on Artificial Intelligence
NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know this Week
Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation takes the lead for our environment
Native America Calling: Earth Day assessment for Native peoples
Cronkite News: Gathering addresses ‘epidemic’ among Native people
VIDEO: Cody Desautel on tribes and federal forest management
AUDIO: Legislative Hearing on Discussion Draft of Forest Management Bill
Native America Calling: Remembering the 1974 Navajo border town murders
Native America Calling: Can the right approach close the Native immunization gap?
Cronkite News: Long COVID cases remain high in Arizona
Native America Calling: Eyes in the sky for development, public safety, and recreation
Native America Calling: Three new films offer diverse views of Native life
More Headlines
Native America Calling: How Native literature is changing the mainstream narrative
Native America Calling: No ordinary animal
Native America Calling: Safeguards on Artificial Intelligence
NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know this Week
Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation takes the lead for our environment
Native America Calling: Earth Day assessment for Native peoples
Cronkite News: Gathering addresses ‘epidemic’ among Native people
VIDEO: Cody Desautel on tribes and federal forest management
AUDIO: Legislative Hearing on Discussion Draft of Forest Management Bill
Native America Calling: Remembering the 1974 Navajo border town murders
Native America Calling: Can the right approach close the Native immunization gap?
Cronkite News: Long COVID cases remain high in Arizona
Native America Calling: Eyes in the sky for development, public safety, and recreation
Native America Calling: Three new films offer diverse views of Native life
More Headlines