Kenneth Edmond Ryan, Tashunga Saba (His Black Horse), 80, of Wolf Point died Feb. 17, 2024. He was born Oct. 8, 1943, at Chicken Hill (Shiyo Baha) to Thomas Ryan Jr. and Agnes Jackson Ryan. His sisters were Joy Ryan Payne, Cleo Ryan, Charity Ryan, Bernadine Ryan and Beatrice Ryan. His grandparents were Thomas Ryan Sr. and Susie Baker Ryan. He was raised by his parents, grandparents, other family and the community members of Shiyo Baha. He was raised to be Wadopana and Nakona. He was a proud member of the Fort Peck Assiniboine Tribes. He graduated from Wolf Point High School in 1962. He served in the United States Army from 1965-67. In 1969, he met and married Sylvia Stanley from Rocky Boy. They met at the Rocky Boy powwow and have been inseparable since. For the past 55 years, they have spent their lives together as best friends. He received a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Weber State University in 1975 and received a master of human services from the University of Great Falls in 1998. In 1995, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in humane letters from the University of Montana. He was bestowed this degree for his work on the Assiniboine language orthography and curriculum. He devoted his life to serving Native American communities throughout the country. Over the years, he has worked for the Administration of Native Americans, Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service. In addition, he served the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, as an elected Tribal Council member and as Chairman of the Tribes from 1985-1987. In every work capacity, he sought to ensure Native Americans had access and support for federal, tribal and state programs. He contributed to many great initiatives throughout his life. The outcomes of his work are evident in our community. Not only was he a pipe carrier and lodge maker, but he was also at the forefront of establishing the Fort Peck Community College. He was the second Indigenous person to create an orthography for a heritage language. He authored 23 Assiniboine lessons. He worked to develop Native American language courses in Native spirituality, language and culture. His final work was assisting his granddaughter, Mahu, in creating Nakona University, an online Nakona I?abi (Assiniboine language) school for children and adults. He was currently serving as the vice-chairperson since its establishment in 2022. Other life accomplishments include his work which led to repatriating remains from the boarding school era. In 2013, he accepted the Fort Peck Code Talkers Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of the Fort Peck Tribes. In 1994, he was the ceremonial leader on behalf of the American Indian College Fund in Rome, Italy. There, he met the Pope and conducted a pipe ceremony. He is survived by his wife, Sylvia Ryan; daughters, Traci Caplette and Kimberly Ganade; two grandchildren; and three great-grandsons. He was preceded in death by his son, Knu owada; sisters, Joy Ryan Payne, Cleo Ryan, Charity Ryan, Bernadine Ryan and Beatrice Ryan; and one great-grandson. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Feb. 20, at the new Community Hall in Wolf Point. Burial was at Oswego Presbyterian Cemetery.

Brandon Jon Matejovsky passed away peacefully on Feb. 16, 2024. He was born on Sept. 6, 1976, to Dave and Kay Matejovsky in Wolf Point, Mont. After graduating from Wolf Point High School, Brandon started his first job with the Roosevelt County Road Department, where he loved working alongside his dad. Brandon proudly served on the Wolf Point Volunteer Fire Department for 10 years. During his tenure, he was elected as the training officer to which he took great pride. Brandon loved serving his community and was always willing to suit up in the “Sparky” costume and walk along the parade route on those hot stampede days. The biggest highlight for Brandon while on the department was when he had the opportunity to share his passion for firefighting with his brother Dana when he joined. Brandon married Melissa Whitney in 2006 and then welcomed his son, his pride and joy, Maxton Matejovsky. He enjoyed spending time with his son, swimming and going to car races and was always Maxton’s number-one supporter in all of his sporting events. Brandon moved to Great Falls, Mont., in 2014 and worked for the U.S. Postal Service. He loved spending time on the farm and lending a hand, be it helping out with branding or driving a truck for harvest. Brandon was known for his huge heart and gentle demeanor. Family meant the world to Brandon and nothing made him happier than when he was surrounded by all those he loved. In January of 2024, Brandon moved home to Wolf Point where he spent his last month surrounded by his family he so dearly loved. Brandon was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, John and Anna Matejovsky; grandparents, Leo and Angela Richard; his aunt, Marlene Teel; aunt, Patty Kessler; and his cousin, Anthony Matejovsky. Brandon is survived by his wife, Melissa; his son, Maxton Matejovsky; his parents, Dave and Kay Matejovsky; brothers, Dana (Tori) Matejovsky and Joey (Brianna) Matejovsky; his sister, Nicole (Rodney) Paulson; nine nieces and nephews; his grandparents, David and Gus Matejovsky; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Brandon’s last wish was to tell everyone to “Look at the blue skies and I’ll be waiving.” In lieu of flowers, Brandon would have wanted donations made to the Wolf Point Fire Department. A viewing will be on Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 4 to 6 p.m. with a rosary service starting at 6 p.m. at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will be on Thursday, Feb. 22, at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. A luncheon will immediately follow at the Catholic church and burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery north of Vida. (Paid Obituary)

Janice Nancy Silk Poowegup, ”Akewanzi,” age 67, of Ft. Duchesne, Utah, passed away on Jan. 27, 2024, with her family by her side. “Akewanzi” was delivered into this world by her aunt Elizabeth Mary Ann GreyBull during the Montana winter, when the vehicle they were traveling in slid off the road on their way to the Poplar Hospital. She would be the youngest of three children born to her mother, Nellie - Wha Ina Pe Win “Takes Them Out Woman,” and father, Charles Bernard Silk. Janice and her older brothers, Charles D. Silk Sr. and Frederick D. Silk Sr. (1/6/2002), would be raised together between Fort Peck, Mont., and the Standing Rock Reservation, N.D. Akewanzi comes from a strong linage of a traditional family. She was an enrolled member of the Standing Rock (Sioux) “Hú kpap a” — Head of the Circle, one of the seven council fires of the Lakota tribe. This included her grandparents, John and Nancy Follows The Road, and her great-grandparents, Thomas “Hunkaiapi” and Mary “Good Pipe Woman” LongCloud. Our mother would become blessed with seven children and four bonus sons in her lifetime, whom she adored and cherished dearly. Charlie Headdress Sr. would bring her first and oldest son Charlie (Teresa) Headdress Jr. and, in time, a granddaughter, Samantha Headdress (12/30/1993). Ronnie Desjarlais Sr. gave her three children, Ronnie Wasü Jr., grandchildren, Jesse (Dakota), Keilby (Yoi), Kylen, Joaquin (Spring), Angelena, JoJo and Beau Redhawk. Her daughters, Gloria (1978) and Sheryle (Jerimy, grandchildren, Kathryn, Kaden and Kayla. In the year of 1982, Janice and Juan Amillategui Sr. would welcome John Jr. (Stephanie) and grandchildren, Kammie, Elyza, Sidney and Araya. The following year, in 1983, their son Joseph would be born. She later met Gary Poowegup Jr. while working at The Bottle Hollow Resort on the Ute Indian Tribe Reservation, Utah. They shared many years together, traveling to casinos, farming and ranch conventions, rodeos, hunting elk, deer, buffalo and fishing. They blended their families and that’s where she had her part in raising four more “Sonny Boys.” Charles “Bigg” Reed (3/16/2013), grandchildren, Athelia and Ethan; Ryan (Rachelle), grandchildren, Kyle (Alexis), Serena, Makal, Avary, Peyton and Darius; Dovon (5/12/2009), granddaughter, Brooke Waylon (1/12/2021), (Tonie), grandchildren, Yampa, Shawtove and Syd Fightingbear. In the year of 1987, the youngest son of all children, Garrie Joaquin “Husha,” would complete their family. Our sweet mama was known to help those in need with welcome arms. Whether you needed food, clothes or a listening ear, she was there to support you. She had an impact on all of her nieces, Carmen, Trish and Colleen and Carleen Silk, Dorice Follows The Road; her nephews, Mister Silk Jr. and Charles Robert; her grandchildren, Kobe, Katriel, Kraven, Kali, Kane, Larissa, Carmen, Ablazah, Bryce, Jade, Bently, Dustan and Acacia; uncle Oscar and Joe Follows The Road, who all reside in Montana Janice was well-known within Indian Country. She gave her all in helping and traveling to the camps of #NODAPL, supported the MMIW and was a survivor of NoKidLeftBehind. We know she met many, many people during these trips. We’d like to extent our love to those who shared memories and laughter with her along those travels. We will miss our mother terribly as we transition through this life without her here physically. She leaves behind her furbabies, Tootsie, RootBeer (Handsome), Ewok, Shaggy, Isabell, Brown Sug, Stinky Butt and Sunka, who were by her side the morning she made her journey to the stars. She will also leave behind her chickens, geese and hen, Red. She had many great-grandchildren who spent her last days with her, KeyDenn, Krayson, KarLynn, Ariyah, KreeDawn-LongCloud, KeNai, Geneviecia, Launi, Braven Wasü, Delzei, Lena and Eli. They brought balloons, their drawings, a scrunchie, stuffed animals and made sure to always tell her, “Goodnight Grandma, we love you, see you tomorrow.” She was preceded in death by Maryann GreyBull, Wayung Hipi Win “They Came to See Her Woman” and Barbara Jane Swift Eagle Birdsbill, “Wawokiya winyan’’ Helps Others Woman. Funeral services were held at her home on Independence Road on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, at 10 a.m. A wake was held after 3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 3. Burial took place in the Red Knoll Cemetery. (Paid Obituary)