Hobby & Recreation Group
Tatanka Chante - Gary Silk
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| Copyright © 2010 Red Lake Net News All Rights Reserved. |
Tatanka Chante, Lakota for Buffalo Heart, also known by his English name,
Gary Silk, of Bemidji, formerly of the Standing Rock Reservation, Ft. Yates, N.
D., began his journey back to the Spirit World, peacefully at his home, on the
morning of the welcoming back of the Thunders’ Spring Equinox March 20,
2010.
A memorial service will be held at his home in Bemidji, at noon today, March
23. His Koda, Henry Skywater will guide his brother into the Spirit World. It will
be done Tatanka Chante way.
He was born on Oct. 1, 1948, on the Standing Rock Reservation, Ft. Yates,
the son of Arthur Silk and Mazie Louise Jordan.
Shortly after joining the United States Army, his life changed forever. He
understood what his journey in life would be; he was to be a warrior for the
People. He would continue the fight that the warriors and his ancestors before
him fought. It was walking in the Longest Walk in 1978 and the teachings of
the Treaties taught to him by the Elders that guided him in the right direction.
His greatest weapon in this fight was the guidance he received from the
Creator and the Spirit helpers.
This Guidance led him on a series of spiritual journeys. Iron Cloud and Pazi,
his brothers from the Horse Nation, carried him on these journeys. Alongside
him each time on the Bigfoot Ride, Treaty Ride, Unity Rides, the Buffalo Walk,
Trail of Red Tears and others were the Riders, his Kolas. With each Ride he
was on – his path crossed someone else’s and he enriched their lives so
much.
Tatanka Chante was a humble man. He didn’t believe in making a big show of
what he did and he didn’t believe in doing things the easy way. He knew that
there is little value in things that come too easily. He willingly endured many
hardships and difficulties for what he believed in, for the sake of the People
and for the good of Mother Earth and all living things. He gave freely of himself
and knew that this was the greatest offering that he could make.
Some looked upon him as a leader. In an earlier time, he might have been
known as a legendary Lakota Warrior. Some say he walked with the Spirit of
Crazy Horse.
He would make no claims to such things. He just thought of himself as Ikceya
Wicasa, a common man of the People. But to those who loved him he was
indeed legendary. A legendary Husband, as well as Father, Grandfather,
Uncle, Son, Nephew and Friend.
Tatanka Chante, You can rest now. Your legacy will live on and those who
loved you will strive to walk in your honor.
Ho, hetchetu alo.
He is survived by his wife, Jolene (Gurneau) Silk of Bemidji; children, Gabriela
Silk of Denver, Colo., Martin Chasing Hawk of Mitchell, S.D., Nicole Silk of
Green Grass, S.D., Courtney Silk of Green Grass, Wilford Looking Horse of
Green Grass, Kota Silk of Green Grass, Ashley Gurneau Gibson of Bemidji
and Cody Gurneau Wagner of Bemidji; brothers, Raymond Silk of Pacifica,
Calif., Robert Silk of Selfridge, S.D., Milton Silk of Glenullen, N.D., Arthur Silk
III of Ft. Yates and Gordon Silk of Bismark; sisters, Sylvia Silk of Stockton,
Calif., Yvonne Lacher of Rockland, Calif., Shirley Morton of Ft. Yates,
Geraldine Schriock of Mandan, N.D., Carmelita Silk of Bismark and Colleen
Miller of Morristown, S.D.; special granddaughter, Courtney Silk; 13
grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an unborn child;, brothers, Elmer
Silk and Henry Silk; sisters, Nancy Thompson and Judith Ann Silk; nephews,
Nekoma Rangel, Jimmy Laundreaux, Grant Marshall, and David Fernandez.
Honorary Casketbearers will be The Riders sons, Kota Silk, Wilford Looking
Horse and brother, Robert Silk.
Messages of condolence may be left at ceasefuneralhome.com.
Gary Silk, of Bemidji, formerly of the Standing Rock Reservation, Ft. Yates, N.
D., began his journey back to the Spirit World, peacefully at his home, on the
morning of the welcoming back of the Thunders’ Spring Equinox March 20,
2010.
A memorial service will be held at his home in Bemidji, at noon today, March
23. His Koda, Henry Skywater will guide his brother into the Spirit World. It will
be done Tatanka Chante way.
He was born on Oct. 1, 1948, on the Standing Rock Reservation, Ft. Yates,
the son of Arthur Silk and Mazie Louise Jordan.
Shortly after joining the United States Army, his life changed forever. He
understood what his journey in life would be; he was to be a warrior for the
People. He would continue the fight that the warriors and his ancestors before
him fought. It was walking in the Longest Walk in 1978 and the teachings of
the Treaties taught to him by the Elders that guided him in the right direction.
His greatest weapon in this fight was the guidance he received from the
Creator and the Spirit helpers.
This Guidance led him on a series of spiritual journeys. Iron Cloud and Pazi,
his brothers from the Horse Nation, carried him on these journeys. Alongside
him each time on the Bigfoot Ride, Treaty Ride, Unity Rides, the Buffalo Walk,
Trail of Red Tears and others were the Riders, his Kolas. With each Ride he
was on – his path crossed someone else’s and he enriched their lives so
much.
Tatanka Chante was a humble man. He didn’t believe in making a big show of
what he did and he didn’t believe in doing things the easy way. He knew that
there is little value in things that come too easily. He willingly endured many
hardships and difficulties for what he believed in, for the sake of the People
and for the good of Mother Earth and all living things. He gave freely of himself
and knew that this was the greatest offering that he could make.
Some looked upon him as a leader. In an earlier time, he might have been
known as a legendary Lakota Warrior. Some say he walked with the Spirit of
Crazy Horse.
He would make no claims to such things. He just thought of himself as Ikceya
Wicasa, a common man of the People. But to those who loved him he was
indeed legendary. A legendary Husband, as well as Father, Grandfather,
Uncle, Son, Nephew and Friend.
Tatanka Chante, You can rest now. Your legacy will live on and those who
loved you will strive to walk in your honor.
Ho, hetchetu alo.
He is survived by his wife, Jolene (Gurneau) Silk of Bemidji; children, Gabriela
Silk of Denver, Colo., Martin Chasing Hawk of Mitchell, S.D., Nicole Silk of
Green Grass, S.D., Courtney Silk of Green Grass, Wilford Looking Horse of
Green Grass, Kota Silk of Green Grass, Ashley Gurneau Gibson of Bemidji
and Cody Gurneau Wagner of Bemidji; brothers, Raymond Silk of Pacifica,
Calif., Robert Silk of Selfridge, S.D., Milton Silk of Glenullen, N.D., Arthur Silk
III of Ft. Yates and Gordon Silk of Bismark; sisters, Sylvia Silk of Stockton,
Calif., Yvonne Lacher of Rockland, Calif., Shirley Morton of Ft. Yates,
Geraldine Schriock of Mandan, N.D., Carmelita Silk of Bismark and Colleen
Miller of Morristown, S.D.; special granddaughter, Courtney Silk; 13
grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an unborn child;, brothers, Elmer
Silk and Henry Silk; sisters, Nancy Thompson and Judith Ann Silk; nephews,
Nekoma Rangel, Jimmy Laundreaux, Grant Marshall, and David Fernandez.
Honorary Casketbearers will be The Riders sons, Kota Silk, Wilford Looking
Horse and brother, Robert Silk.
Messages of condolence may be left at ceasefuneralhome.com.
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