Ga Ni Gabi “Chosen One”, his English name Walter E. Clark, age 76, passed away on May 2, 2017 at NEMHS Trinity Hospital in Wolf Point. Walter was born on March 13, 1941 in Poplar, MT and was the 6 th child of Walter and Nellie Clark. The reason he was the youngest was because they finally got a good one.
When he was 16 years old he left home to try to get a better life than the one he had, by getting an education. His best friend Bill Jackson “Gee” and dad went to Haskell. They signed up and were on their way. He was there for 3 ½ years and graduated with a Masonry Degree. Dad relocated to Oakland, CA as a bricklayer. Then Uncle Sam drafted him into the Army, where he served for 2 years. When he got out he came home and hooked up (married) June Daniels. He later worked in a steel mill for 3 years and moved back home where he worked at the Tribal Court as a Clerk of Court and later as an Associate Justice. In 1979, he was elected to serve on the Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board and served a total of 28 years on the Fort Peck Tribal Council. While on the council he was the Land Chairman and full supported buying land for the Fort Peck Tribes land base. He was on the Montana Reserve Water Rights Compact Negotiator. He was one of the Negotiator for the Salazar vs Cobell in Washington, DC. He was the Flag Bearer for Red Bottom Celebration for many years, at one time they had 28 drums. He served on the Frazer School Board for many years. He was a Medicine Lodge Society Leader and Name Giver.
Walter is survived by his wife June of 51 years; children Kristine Clark, Ervin Clark, Kimberly (Charles) Johnson and Richard Clark; grandchildren Kristofer Clark, Mabel Clark, Steven Bearcub, Michael & Stephanie Bearcub, KC & Eden Johnson, Bradley & Dani Clark, Linnea Clark, Brett Clark, Katelyn Clark, adopted grandchildren Cher (Leon) Desjarlais, Santio DeHerrera, Eloisa DeHerrera, Hunter Archambault, Quincee Clark, Sioux Ella and Shaylene Moffit, Daniel DeHerrera and Brandon DeHerrera; great-grandchildren Elliyah Clark, Kameron Clark, Brylee Bearcub, Brayden Bearcub, Bailey Bearcub, Brody Bearcub, Jessa Bearcub, Brooklyn Bearcub, Abel Johnson, Isaiah Johnson, Malyna Escarcega, adopted grandchildren, Calvin Adams and Cayana Adams and Luna Bird in Ground, Nakoa Heavy Runner and Beefy Archambeault, adopted children Amy and James DeHerrera, Gale Headdress, Shari Daniels, Ronnie (Ruth) Jackson, Mary (Verle) Follette, Coleen Clark, Resa Todd, Diane & Diego Wetsit-Hoy,Toni Henderson, Lori & Donovan Archambault, Debbie His Horse’s Thunder, Loren Lewis, Harold Wetsit; nephew Marty Reum and all his Medicine Lodge Family; adopted brothers and sisters Ken (Sylvia) Ryan, Larry (Edna) Wetsit, Butch Bell, JoJo Miller, Richard Jackson, Jim Shanley; extended family Ackerman, Menz, Windy Boy, Daniels, Bighorn, Spang. Dad had many people who would call him dad, uncle, grandpa, papa. Our apologies if we forgot anyone for he had a huge family.
Preceded in death by his great-grandson Aaron Johnson, his parents Walter and Nellie Clark, his siblings, Calvin Clark, Wm Ernie Clark, Donald “Duck” Clark, Bernadine Wallace, Rita Track, his nephew Laramie “Fooge” Wallace and Lanelle Wallace.
Dad, we love you and you will be missed very much.
“If you’re reading this, I must be gone. I wish you all well and good health, I love each and every one of you and all I ask is that you love each other.”