Adrian Frank Medicine Horse

Services will be held Thursday December 2, 2021 at the Spirit of Life Foursquare Church in Crow Agency at 1:00 with burial to follow in the Lodge Grass Cemetery.

Adrian Frank Medicine Horse, 72, went to The Other Side Camp on November 27, 2021 while in hospice/comfort care at the Crow Northern Cheyenne Hospital. Adrian was born on March 16, 1949, to Lewis Rides Horse and Violet Medicine Horse Birdinground. He was a member of the Newly Made Lodge Clan and a Piegan Child. He was given his Indian name Kaláasheen dakáakish (Morning Bird) by the late Walter White Arm. He was adopted by Mary Black Eagle. He was raised by his maternal grandmother, Hazel One Goose Medicine Horse. Mama Kaala Hazel was his primary caretaker with the help of his maternal great grandmother, Mary DuChien-One Goose. This made him truly a “Grandmother’s Child”. He was raised in Wyola, Montana and attended Wyola Elementary School where he graduated from the 8th grade. He then attended Flandreau Indian School in South Dakota graduating in 1968. While a student at Flandreau, he excelled in cross country and basketball. He and his teammates went to state competitions twice in both cross country and basketball. He would refer to high school at Flandreau as his “glory days”. He represented FIS and at South Dakota Boys’ State in his junior and senior years. He was very proud that he did well at FIS and enjoyed himself while getting his education.There are conflicting stories of how he got the name “Ajax” but whichever story you heard that one is the truth! He made many friends with his fellow students; he cherished these friendships his whole life.

After graduation, he returned to Wyola to live with his Mama Kaala. He made an attempt to join the military but he was denied entrance due a medical issue. This prevented him from accepting a Senatorial appointment to West Point. Throughout the years, Adrian would remember and use the words of encouragement his Mama Kaala shared with him. Adrian worked as a custodian for the Lodge Grass School District. He retired after 19 years at LGHS.

In 1974, Adrian’s first son Brandt was born to him and Brandt’s mother, Cynthia Teran. In the following years, Adrianna and Adrian Joseph were born to him and their mother, Deloris Solis. Following the death of his companion, Deloris, he raised his daughter and son as a single parent. This was out of the ordinary, according to Crow Tradition, the women are responsible for rearing the children. This was a challenge he readily accepted.

While employed at LGHS, he made a point of encouraging the student athletes to perform at their best and also to excel excel academically. He was their number one fan! He always kept the students and staff in prayer by smudging the entire school and offering a daily prayer over the intercom. Adrian always took time for the students and shared hugs with the little ones.

Adrian was a very traditional man, participating in sweat lodges, Native American Church, Sundance ceremonies. Adrian was recognized as an accomplished arrow thrower and won many events. His culture, traditions and family were his life. He shared his Crow values and traditions with his family members. He was a man of prayer and encouraged others to pray and to include yourself in your prayers.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his maternal grandmothers Hazel One Goose and Mabel Pretty on Top; his great grandmother Mary One Goose; his aunts Charlotte One Goose, Belva Tushka, Jewell Williams and Henrietta Pretty on Top; his uncles Cleo, Frank, Jr. and Archie Medicine Horse, Clifford Whiteman, John “Sonny” Pretty on Top, Larson and Donald Medicine Hose; his sisters Patricia, Kandee, Magdalene Medicine Horse; brothers Barney Birdinground, Jeffery Medicine Horse-Jefferson; sibling/cousins Wayne and Patricia Williams, Mary Cummins, Melanie Vicki Falls Down, Anita Bull Chief, Penny, Lydia and Diane Medicine Horse; special nephews James and Andrew “Little Bear” Cummins.

He is survived by his sons Brandt Teran and Joseph Medicine Horse; his daughter Adrianna Medicine Horse; his grandchildren; his sisters Twyla (Wesley Stewart) Birdinground and Lois Marie Rides Horse; his brothers DuWayne (Linda) Birdinground, John (Mary Evelyn) Grim, Roy, Stanford, Curtis and Karey Grant Rides Horse, Sean Fog in the Morning; sibling/cousins Wesley (Melissa) and Myron (Victoria) Falls Down, Coolidge (Michelle) Jefferson III, Pansy (Andy) Yellowmule, Scott (Lauren) and Myrna Medicine Horse, Greg (Christine), Darin and Ryland Williams, Lynn, Kaylene and Jewel Tushka, Mikki Riddle and Jimmy Tushka, Jr., Tina, Kathleen Black Eagle, Mary Ruth (Danny) PlainFeather, Mike Old Crane, Sr., Theo (Elias) Hugs, Ora Mae Shane, Roberta Old Bear, Lydia Birdinground., aunties Patti Medicine Horse, Myrna Dawes, Deana LaForge, Barbara Bacon, Paulette High Hawk, Arvilla (Tom) Fly, Marilyn Not Afraid, Francine Amyotte, Ardith (Lloyd) Hogan; uncles Garland (Toni) and Marlin (Reva) Not Afraid, Woodrow PlainFeather and Jackson Pretty on Top; special nieces and nephews Thomas and John (Angie) Cummins,, Crescentia and Terryanna Cummins; special friends Eric Tiner, Isaiah Singer and all the students and staff of Lodge Grass High School. His extended family includes the descendants of Pierre DuChien, One Goose and the late Frank Medicine Horse’s children, Eastman, Cummins, Brien, LaRance, Mable Townsend Pretty on Top’s children, Old Horn, Round Face, Heywood Big Day and children, Morrison and Williamson families, Sioux relatives Little Warrior, Whirlwind Horse, Pretty Voice Hawk and Bad Hand.

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