{"id":16969,"date":"2021-10-18T12:37:13","date_gmt":"2021-10-18T16:37:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/News\/?p=16969"},"modified":"2021-10-18T12:45:11","modified_gmt":"2021-10-18T16:45:11","slug":"blackfeet-nation-mourns-passing-of-longtime-chief-earl-old-person","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2021\/10\/18\/blackfeet-nation-mourns-passing-of-longtime-chief-earl-old-person\/","title":{"rendered":"Blackfeet Nation mourns passing of longtime Chief Earl Old Person"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\n\t\t\tBadger Two Medicine Song by Blackfeet Nation Chief Earl Old Person\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t
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Blackfeet Nation Chief Earl Old Person presents the Badger Two Medicine Song during a screening of “Our Last Refuge: The Badger-Two Medicine Story” the Natio…<\/p>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t

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Indianz.Com Video:\r\nChief Earl Old \r\nPerson of the Blackfeet Nation presents the Badger-Two Medicine Song<\/A><\/figcaption>\r\n
Blackfeet Nation mourns passing of longtime Chief Earl Old Person<\/div>\r\n
Monday, October 18, 2021<\/div>\r\n
Indianz.Com<\/div>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe Blackfeet Nation<\/a> is mourning the loss of Earl Old Person<\/a>, the tribe’s longtime chief and former chairman.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nOld Person passed away last Wednesday after a long battle with cancer, the tribe said<\/a>. He was 92 years old.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\u201cThe Blackfeet People have suffered a huge loss today with the passing of Chief Old Person,\u201d the tribe said in a statement<\/a>. \u201cA chapter in our history has come to a close. The Blackfeet Tribe offers prayers and support to the family of Earl at this time.\u201d\r\n

<\/p>\r\nOld Person joined the tribal council in 1952. He served for over 60 years, including more than 50 years as chairman.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\u201cDuring 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,\u201d the tribe said.\r\n

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“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. Old Person passed on at the age of 92. #EarlOldPerson #Obituaries<\/p>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t

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<\/p>\r\nOld Person continued his service to the tribe following his stint as chairman. He was bestowed the title of chief, a hereditary position, in 1978.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\u201cWe recognize that with Chief Old Person\u2019s passing, an era has come to an end in Blackfeet and Montana Indian history,\u201d the Montana American Indian Caucus<\/a>, consisting of state lawmakers in Montana, said in a letter to the Blackfeet Nation on Friday. \r\n

<\/P>\r\n \u201cHis legacy will live on for generations in the collective memory of Montana and the country,\u201d the lawmakers said.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nIn 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<\/a> and was president of the Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest Indians<\/a>.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n \"Earl<\/a>

Chief Old Person of the Blackfeet Nation Montana sings a prayer at the opening of the U.S. Department of Agriculture 150th anniversary celebration in Washington, D.C., on May 15, 2012. Photo by Bob Nichols \/ USDA<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\u201cChief Old Person was a fierce advocate for the Blackfeet Nation and all of Indian Country for his entire life, and the world is a better place because he was in it,\u201d Sen. Jon Tester (D-Montana) said in a statement<\/a>. \u201cHe will never be replaced, and we are holding his loved ones and the Blackfeet people in our hearts.\u201d\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\u201cHe was a great Montanan and a great American,\u201d Sen. Steve Daines (R-Montana) said of Old Person<\/a>. \u201cMy prayers are with his family, friends and the entire Blackfeet Nation. It was an honor to know him.\u201d\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\u201cIt is with heavy hearts we mourn the passing of Chief Earl Old Person,\u201d Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) said in a statement<\/a>. \u201cWith the confidence of his people, Chief Old Person put others before himself to serve a greater good. Chief Old Person leaves a lasting legacy with his love for people, unparalleled strength of character, dedication to service, and commitment to preserving cultural heritage.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\u201cChief Old Person dedicated his life as a tireless advocate, educator, storyteller, and song singer not only for the Blackfeet people, but also for our state and nation,\u201d the governor said. \u201cHis legacy will live on for many generations. Our prayers are with Chief Old Person\u2019s family, friends, and the Blackfeet Nation.\u201d\r\n

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