Yellow Bird: Making the final journey

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2002

"Lateman Fox, my relative, drew a line last week that said enough is enough. He stopped his kidney dialysis and began to prepare himself in the traditional way to cross over.

He's had diabetes for many years.

Lateman married into the Spirit Lake Dakota Sioux tribe and lived at Fort Totten, N.D., most of his adult life with his wife, Winona, and their 10 children. My brother took me to their house one day several years ago. They welcomed me as a part of their family, and I have felt at home at their place since.

If he is sleeping or in his bedroom when I get there, he hears me talking in the kitchen and wheels his way to the table. He had both legs amputated a few years ago, and if he had not chosen to quit dialysis, he next would have lost his hands. . ."

Get the Story:
DORREEN YELLOW BIRD COLUMN: Beloved elder approaches final drum on own terms (The Grand Forks Herald 10/22)

Related Stories:
Yellow Bird: No McDonald's in Mongolia (10/21)
Yellow Bird: Next stop, ESPN Sportszone (10/18)
Yellow Bird: Keeping traditions alive (10/08)
Yellow Bird: Burgers, chips and fries oh my (10/1)
Yellow Bird: The smallpox threat (9/30)
Yellow Bird: Oops, I did it again... (9/24)
Yellow Bird: Reservation elections (9/17)
Yellow Bird: Learning from 9-11 (9/16)
Yellow Bird: Remembering 9-11 (9/10)
Yellow Bird: Protecting the Badlands (9/9)
Yellow Bird: My secret nickname (9/2)
Yellow Bird: Appreciating art (8/28)
Yellow Bird: An unsung hero (8/26)
Yellow Bird: I say Sakakawea (8/20)
Yellow Bird: Changing views on rape (8/19)