Curtis George Elkshoulder, Sr

CURTIS GEORGE ELKSHOULDER SR.

Ho’neoxheovaeste, Yellow Wolf, made his journey to the everlasting kingdom of God on March 11, 2024.  He was born on May 23, 1970 to the late Leonard Elkshoulder, Sr. and Julie Elkshoulder at the Northern Cheyenne Service Unit in Lame Deer, MT.  Curtis, or “Curtsie” as his siblings called him and his high school buddies knew him as “High Tower” grew up at the family home along Highway 212 just outside of Busby. In his younger years, he participated as a fancy dancer in local pow-wows, gourd dancer and played handgame with the N. Cheyenne Juniors.  He graduated from Colstrip High School in 1988 where he lettered in football and basketball as a Colstrip Colt.  CHS is where he also met the mother of his two sons, Curtis G. Elkshoulder, Jr. and Todd J. Elkshoulder.  He started his career when he went to the Indian Police Academy to train as a Corrections Officer and Dispatcher for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Marana, Arizona.  He later went on to work and serve his people proudly with the Northern Cheyenne Tribe as a Prosecutor, Tribal Probation Officer and Legal Advocate by always upholding the true color of law.  His ambition was to achieve the status of Tribal Judge for his people in order to continue to protect the integrity of our Tribal Justice system, although he never attained a Judgeship, his advocacy in the courts yielded him many victories over Attorneys at law who encouraged him to pursue training from many Law Schools, his mentor Ron Arneson always offered to serve as his sponsoring Attorney at Law if Curtis ever decided to go to Law School.  Curtis recently received a grant from the Vocational Rehabilitation Program through Chief Dull Knife College so that he could continue his efforts of practicing and advocating tribal law for his people.  Though he was born into a traditional family, Curtis followed the word of God and always shared the holy word to his friends and family.  Former Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer spent many days working with and became very close friends of Curtis, Sr.  Through his many accolades, Curtis’ most treasured were his children, Curtis (Lindi) Elkshoulder, Jr, Todd Elkshoulder, Josie Fisher, and Vonnda Jade (Jericho) Ontiveros.

He is survived by his mother Julie Ann Elkshoulder, Sisters Meredith (Rob Sr) McConnell, Victoria K and Candace Elkshoulder, Sue (Lannigan) Capitan, Rayette King, Melody (Ian) Loos, Michelle Herrada and Denise (Frank) Swank. Brothers Leonard Jr, Michael, John Elkshoulder, Rudolph (Mary) King III, Melvin Strange Owl, Allen Pine, Vernon Littlebear, Fr. David Bailey and Sheldon King.  Nieces Eva (Tianna) Little Light, Brittany, Ashley (Josh), Kira McConnell.  Sydney (Jessie) Elkshoulder-Ramirez, Leyva (Torren) Russell.  Presley (Ian) Bracken.  Alyssa (Michael) Parker.  Savanna, Rianna, Micca, Julianna, Sadie Elkshoulder.  Hailee Elkshoulder, Delphine, Jordan and Kalista King-Magpie, Brianne King.  Alisha and Lei Lei Capitan, Shelby King. Nephews Robby Jr (Leena), Dylan McConnell. Jeffrey (Suntaya), Jonathan.  Cameron, Latrell (Syd), Ean (Eva).  Kingston Elkshoulder.  Mike Elkshoulder Jr, Drey Hogan, Ryan and Rudy King, IV, Sheldon King, Jr and Isaiah Capitan.  Grandchildren Aliyah, Asia, Leilani, Halen, Delonte, Layla, Tyra, Jailyn, Gracelyn, Ean Jr, Leveyah, Audrey, Jericho, Andromida, Alaina, Blaine, Thomas, Jesse James, Blake and Piper, Jadrian, Kolson, Kalon, Kiersyn, Wyatt, Leo, Dane, Malichi, Angel, Aurora, Jaydell and Phoenix.  His close friends Mary Ann Weaselbear and Anthony Foote.  Uncles Eugene Elkshoulder,  Grandmother Claudine Littlewolf,  Aunt Gloria Waters and his namesake, Jordell Strange Owl.

Curtis is preceded in death by his Dad Leonard Elkshoulder, Sr, Nephews Chad R. Elkshoulder, Joseph J. Anketell-Killsontop, Grandparents Rudolph and Eva King Sr., George Sr. and Eva Elkshoulder, and his brothers Darrell King, Jason Fisher, Uncles Rudolph King, Jr and Raymond King, Mark Wanderingmedicine, Andrew Elkshoulder, Sr, George Elkshoulder, Jr, Clifford “Big C” Big Head, Sr, Floyd Waters, Sr. Cousin Floyd Waters, Jr. Aunt Imogene Big Head.

The family would like to take this time to thank the many health care providers who cared for our beloved Son, Brother, Uncle, Father and Friend and the many extended heartfelt condolences.  A special thank you to Donovan at Community Home Oxygen in Hardin.  Another special thank you to Lydell Keith for his support and help by taking care of the fire for Curtis. Thank you to Bullis Mortuary, Big Horn County Coroner, and Northern Cheyenne EMTs Paula Castro and Barbara Harris.  BIA Officers Keri Lyn Brady, Chris Chavez and NCIS Investigator Kirby Small.    

He is also survived by his extended families, Littlebirds, Kings, Littlewolfs, Waters, Big Head, Medicinetop, Medicine Bull, Little Mouths, Sandcranes, Wanderingmedicine, Birney Fishers, Strange Owls, Standing Elk, Shoulderblade, Clubfoots, Tallwhiteman, Speelman, Limpy, Hiwalkers, One Bears, Magpie, Rockroads, Swanks and Glenmores, Stands In Timber.     

If we have omitted anyone, it was not done intentionally and we kindly ask you to forgive us in our time of grief.

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