Donnie Christopher Harjo

Donnie Christopher Harjo, 51, of Hardin, MT. passed away on June 7, 2026, in Hardin. He was born on October 21, 1974, to Johnny, Sr. and LouAnn Tobacco Harjo in Crow Agency, MT.

Donnie was raised in the St. Xavier and Crow Agency area by his grandmother Esther Plenty Hawk. He was known as “Bronco” by many of his family and friends.

Donnie was a member of the Greasy Mouth and Child of the Greasy Mouth.

He attended school at St. Xavier, Hardin, Chemaw Indian School, and graduated from Lodge Grass High School in 1993. In high school, he excelled in basketball and cross-country.

After high school, he started working in many various jobs. He worked as an Engine boss at B.I.A Forestry in Crow Agency and a Transit Driver. Most recently, he was the bus driver for Lodge Grass High School boys’ and girls’ basketball. He was very proud of the boys for being undefeated this season. He referred to himself as a “Champion Bus Driver.” He was also a “Golden Glove Boxer,” which he really loved but never really talked about.

Donnie loved Motorcycles and ATV’s. He also loved following Shandi on the Powwow trail and spending time with Shandre and Shay-Shay. He was a fan of the Denver Broncos, Montana Grizzlies, and OU. He was well respected and had a heart for people, especially children. He was a person who helped anyone in need. 

Donnie was so kind-hearted, especially to children that he took in as his own. He loved being called uncle/dad by Shanni, Alanni, Libby Teller, Cameron Getsdown, Jaz Redwolf, Hector Mercado, Eric Curlew, Robert Hogan, and Nadan WhiteClay.

Through all his various jobs, he made many lifelong friends who are too numerous to name. 

He was proud to have many adopted mothers and father: Rebecca Buffalo, Veronica WhiteClay, Cindy Bear Cloud, Regina Falls Down, Sister Brown, Maria Onion, Barbara Susan Stewart, Katherine Old Crow, and Garrett Stewart. Through adoption, he had many adopted brothers and sisters 

In June of 2008, he met and married Merlene BigMedicine. From this union, 3 daughters were born. 

Donnie is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ryan Sr, Leland Walks Jr, Conrad Walks Jr, Gordy Tobacco; sisters, Jody Harjo, Rochelle Walks, and Caroline Tobacco; aunts, Theda Walks, Bernadine Tobacco, and Lois Tobacco; uncles, Leland Walks Sr, and Gordin Tobacco; and adopted mother, Janice Sun Goes Slow.

He is survived by his wife, Merlene; daughters, Shandi, Shandre, Shaylin Harjo, Taliyah (Ian) Hugs, Arlanna PrettyOnTop, and Dorian BigMedicine; sons, Antwoine, Ryan Jr, and Derell Harjo; auntie mom, Arnetta Walks; aunts, Janice KnowsTheGround, Lucille Yarlott, Arlene Iron, and Laura Pickett; uncles, Ira (Bev), Manford (Julie), Conrad Walks, and Robin Iron, Larry and Dana Tobacco; brothers, Johnny (Erlis) Harjo, Kendall (Jonna), Cubby (Kim), Kevin Chavez, Allen PlainBull, Bryan KnowsTheGround, Joey KnowsTheGround, Tody Left Hand, Mattias and Emilio Walks, Levi OldElk, Jacob Carlson, Frank, Thomas, Burney, Delbert WhiteClay, Gary Dawes, Travis Brien, Cody Wilhelm, Chaney Springfield, Addikin Stewart, Clay Spotted, Muscles Bear Cloud, Darwin Spotted, Joe Old Horn, Taylan and Fred Alden, Allen Mecgarrd, Everett Walks, sisters, Shyra and Suellyn Walks, Michelle Iron, Christina and Lori Chavez, Jewelz KnowsTheGround, April, Kristy, Yolonda, Marcel, Rochelle Alden, Danelle Fitzpatrick, Danetta TakesEnemy, Kristie Sun Goes Slow, Kimberly (Jon) Fighter, Sarah and Charelle Brown, Annie, Jewanna, Alverna PlentyHawk, Bethany and Vanetta Walks, Sharmanda and Tony Mountain Sheep, Christina, Terry and Holly Stewart, Farrah Tobacco, Ashely and Tasha Walks, and Carlene Johnson, Peggy, Jamie, and Holly WhiteClay, Rhea Little Light, Cheryl Not Afraid, Carrie Other Medicine and Lucille Dawn Stewart; grandparents, Delma Yarlott, Henry and Anda PrettyOnTop; nephews, Indian, Carter, Julius, Jarred, Jayden, Justin and Maverick WhiteClay, Kayden Chavez, Isaiah Crooked Arm, Darin and Kota BigMedicine; nieces, Danyale, Valerie, Rachel, Jorie, Madison, Jontae, Kourtney, Emma, Genevieve and Kenecia Walks, Xandra, Shania WhiteClay, Dalynn Chavez, Lettie BigMedicine, and Sienna PrettyOnTop; grandkids, Zavian, Zayleigh, Zaniyah, Lael, Clarence Jr, Maella, Annessa, Azriana; and name sakes, Donnie Chief Child, and Christa Pretty On Top.

Extended Family: Harjo, Plenty Hawk, Walks, LeftHand, Blaine, Bulltail, WhiteClay, Tobacco, and Pickett.

The family would like to thank Hardin EMTs and Hardin ER staff for all they could do for Donnie.

We sincerely apologize if, through our grief, we forgot any family or friends.

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