Adrian “Chuck” Spotted Bird Sr. (Black Hills Boy) Dakota Sioux/Hidasta of Brockton, Montana entered into eternal peace to be with the Lord on October 22 nd , 2018, he was 67.
Chuck was born April 8 th , 1951 to his parents, Viola Spotted Bird (Brockton-Ft. Kipp Community), and Austin Lone Bear (New Town-Mandaree Community). He has many cousins, nephews, and nieces of the New Town-Mandaree area that are too numerous to mention. He comes from the Chicken Society. He attended the local schools in Brockton and Busby, Montana. He married Bernice Russell in 1970 and worked various positions for the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes. Chuck enjoyed spending time with his son Adrian Jr. and was a proud grandfather to both Austin and Ryan Spotted Bird with a great grandson Kancq Big Horn-Spotted Bird.
His favorite past time was attending powwows and he was well known as the lead singer of the original Badland Singers in the 1970’s and 80’s. The drum group consisted of Rusty and Lyle Denny, Gary Drum, Ben Gray Hawk Sr., Buzzy Red Eagle, Matt Big Talk, Leland Spotted Bird, Shaw Grey Bull, Geish Lambert and Ray Azure. Along the route of his singing days, he had the pleasure to sit at the drum with Seymour Eagle Speaker, late Kenny Merrick Sr and Jr., Bill Runs Above, late Butch Brown, Eldon Weasel Child, Merle Tendoy, late Brad Buffalo Calf, late Delray Smith, Earl Jones Sr., Harry Three Stars Jr, Dana and Sam Buckles.
Over the past 18 years, Chuck continued to be involved with the Badlands Powwow Committee as a main stay to ensure the celebration would continue for its visitors, singing, dancing and enjoyment of life. He was always kind and accommodating to his powwow family and friends. He traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada and enjoyed visiting with friends and relatives throughout Indian Country.
He and other Badland Singers were invited to perform at various prestigious events and locations including Moscow, Russia-Gorky Park in the 1990’s, (1993) Bill Clinton and Al Gore’s Presidential Inauguration Parade and Carnegie Hall in New York City in the 1990’s. Chuck’s dedication to his community included serving on several committees for the Fort Peck Tribes of Tribal Enrollment along with the Fish and Game Commission.
He was a strong supporter of education and was dedicated as a Brockton School Board Member. As a long time resident of his community he also served as the Mayor of Brockton. Chuck was recognized by many as an adopted family member to numerous individuals near and far. Chuck never turned people away from his home when passing through Brockton on Highway #2. It was the prominent house that always embodied a warm and welcoming gesture to all people. He particularly formed special friendships and close ties with his powwow brothers and those that helped him through the difficult moments and supported him in joyous times were: Benny and Judy Johnson, Bill and Dana Runs Above, late Dawson and Paula Fire Moon, Jim and Marty Dillon and family, late Kenny Merrick Sr. and Family, Tony Isaacs (Taos, New Mexico), Al Bighorn and Jim Clairmont.
Chuck is survived by his son Adrian Jr.(Marjorie) Grandsons Ryan, Austin (Paula) his sisters, Lorna Drum (Brockton), Charlene Drum (Brockton), Brother Silas Drum (Brockton), sister Verdis Grey Bull-Russell, brothers Joel (Sweepy) Grey Bull, Richard Grey Bull, (Enterprise, Alabama), and Perry Lee Grey Bull. He is preceded in death by his mother, Viola Spotted Bird, Father Austin Lone Bear, wife Bernice Russell Spotted Bird, his uncle Leland Spotted Bird, sisters Carol, Catherine, and Melvine Spotted Bird and Josephine Black Dog.
Chuck had many friends and relatives near and far and the family would like to thank you for all of your support, prayers and condolences.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements and condolences can be sent to the family by using the form below.