Darrell Youpee

Darrell “Curley” Youpee, Sung’ Gleska Tatanka Nunpa: Spotted Horse Two Buffalo from Poplar Creek, 70, of Poplar died Saturday, May 22, 2021.

He grew up on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in northeast Montana. His ancestors came to Montana as a result of the Dakota uprising in Minnesota and also the unfulfilled treaty obligations, which brought on starvation of the people on the reservations of Cheyenne River and Standing Rock.

His approach to reducing racial hatred and social injustice against his people has earned him a seat in human rights circles and won him national recognition among U.S. government organization such as Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Bureau of Land Management, and Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.

As cultural resources department director of the Fort Peck Tribes, he coordinated cross-cultural training and presented historical and cultural backgrounds of the Assiniboine and Sioux people. Concerned with the loss of tribal culture, he started collecting oral history in 1982 to assemble the Tribes’ principal audio/visual collection. He lectured across the country using the history, traditional beliefs and storytelling of the Assiniboine and Sioux people. He shared legend and creation stories of his people.

He was a talented artist who brought together carved symbolic horses and dramatic imagery in a traditional abstract manner, achieving an illusory, mysterious effect that connects the viewer’s imagination. In addition to being collected by museums, his horse carvings are displayed throughout the northern plains’ region at popular galleries and gift shops.

He enjoyed traveling, reading, writing, socializing, lecturing, arts and crafts and, most of all, passing on the tribe’s history, culture, traditions, and language. He always had time to visit with friends or anyone who wanted to talk.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Cathy Youpee Hurd; brothers, Louis Youpee Jr. and Charles “Red” Youpee; and granddaughter, Winona Youpee.

He is survived by his sisters, Jewel Hanna and Frances Nation; brother, Eugene “Bubby” Youpee; children, Willard White of Washington, Michael and Bernice Youpee Jordan of North Carolina, Waylon Youpee, Chris Warclub of Montana, Jackson Chaser of Colorado, Brian Eder, Malachi Stops, Dylan Youpee and Dyan Youpee, all of Poplar; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and adopted son, Fernando Truillo. His funeral service was held Saturday, May 29, at the Curley Youpee residence. Interment was at the Poplar Cemetery.