Franklin Clay Rowland

Dr. Franklin Clay Rowland, Indian name Ma’o’ne’ he, “Red Wolf”, 71 years old, was born on October 28th, 1954, to his mother, Beatrice Horn, and father, Claude Rowland.  He made his journey to the other side camp on December 12, 2025, after a long illness.  Frank was a member of the Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church. 

Frank received his HS Diploma from St. Labre High School, where he excelled in track.  In 1972, his team took 1st place in the 400-meter relay at the state track meet.  He was recruited to run for Haskell Indian Nations Junior College, where he earned an Associate Degree in General Studies and continued to excel as a runner on the track team.  He attended Kansas State University with his wife, Joanie, where they were avid Jayhawk fans and did not miss a single basketball game.  Frank went on to earn his Bachelor of Science, Master's Degree, and Educational Doctorate from Montana State University in Bozeman.  He challenged the Dissertation requirements and won, and went on to write his Dissertation on A Case Study of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. Frank received fellowships to do research for both the Montana State University Kellogg Foundation and the Newberry Library in Chicago, Illinois. Frank received the top Dissertation Award at his graduation. Although Frank was very humble about his academic accomplishments, he received many awards for his outstanding contributions to education, including an international award for his dissertation. His dissertation has been used by other Tribes to successfully obtain grants to support Indian Education. 

 Frank was a free thinker and always ahead of his time. He was a poet and was known for his writing abilities. He liked to read poetry to his granddaughter Danielle on her way to school. Frank mentored Danielle in her writing, leading her to second place in the poetry slam at AIHEC in 2023. 

Frank mentored other Native American Doctoral Candidates and was unselfish with his knowledge.  Frank had a deep respect for the Northern Cheyenne Traditions and Belief ways. He shared many stories and knowledge with his children and emphasized the importance of culture. Frank worked as an administrator and educator for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe - most notably as a Dean of Students for Dull Knife College and as the high school Principal for Northern Cheyenne Tribal Schools.  He was appointed as an Appellate Judge for the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Courts. He worked with the University of Montana Law School and brought law students in to review the backlog of cases at the Tribal Court, where they were able to resolve the cases and bring the appellate court up to date.

Frank loved sports and was known for his speed as a runner; some called him “Bullet”. He was a state champion in Softball with a team from Bozeman in 1989.  He coached the Northern Cheyenne Tribal School Cross Country team in 1978, and they took the State Class C Cross Country championship. He remained close with his cross-country runners.  He was an avid Denver Broncos fan, and not even a blizzard could stop him and Kenny Wyles from barbecuing during the Super Bowl.

Everybody knew Frank for his sense of humor.  He would make everyone laugh wherever he was at.  His Children, other family, and friends remember his crazy stories and jokes, and all the fun they had with him.  He was young at heart and would often tease his children, making them laugh. You could find him chasing his kids and grandkids around the house when they dared to tease him back. Everybody will miss his crazy jokes and laughter.  

His mother-in-law adopted Frank, and he became a member of the Whistling Water Clan.  He was adopted into the Ree Society by the Lodge Grass Crow ceremonial societies.  

Frank was preceded in death by his son Franklin Grant, his parents Beatrice and Claude Rowland, and his siblings Ted, Pearl, Jocelyn, and Claudia. 

Frank is survived by his wife Joanie; daughters Chelsea (Charlie Tsoodle) and Miranda (Aaron Brien); his grandchildren Danielle, Truley (Austin), Marcus James, and Bruce Nomee; brother James Rowland, sister Anna Rowland, cousin-brother William Rowland, his adopted daughters Angie Gun Shows (John John) and Autumn White Clay, special nephew Brian Pretty Eagle, and cousin Tommy (Fatima) Crazy Mule; nieces and nephews Mary (Ron), Annie, Claude L., Claude R., Joel, Ben, Gina, Monica, Claudia, Maria, Shunshine, Kee, Christopher, Jeremy, Dawn, Jamie, Desi, Ariane, Darius JC, Angelica, and Feather.

He is also survived by the Horn Family; sister-in-laws Rhonda (Larry Hogan) Horn, Trivian (Jeff) Rides the Bear, Roseline Old Bear, Rebecca Stops, Deb Edwards and Miriam (John) Smith, Samuel (Darla) Horn, Dan (Letha) Gun Shows; nieces and nephews Mitzi, Sam, Samson, Thomas, Kandace, Zane, Shane, Lashawna, Shilo, Trinity, Kayla, Eddie BM, Morton BM, Willie, Darrell, Robin, Kevin, Vanessa, Karen, Brandi, Clay, Lessa, Jolee, Elyas, Saylee, and Silas Hogan.

Friends Terry King Fisher, Reggie Kills Night, Daniel Knowhisgun, John Beartusk, Ken Wyles, the Hochhalters, Albert Gros Ventre, Ryan Kaline and Burney White Clay.

Extended family includes Bixby, Eastman (Birdinground kids), Harris Taylor, Spotted Wolf, Fighting Bear, Fisher, Bement, Wolfname, Wolf Black, and Black Wolf.

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