Vonȧhe’kȧse’hehe, Young Ceremonial Woman, Adeline Faye Spotted Elk was born November 29th, 1953 to Alec Spotted Elk and Fern (Powderface) Spotted Elk. Adeline made her final journey to the Spirit World on September 29th, 2022 in Billings, Montana. She’s a descendant of Chief Littlewolf, Wildhog and Spotted Elk. Adeline is survived by her sisters Rhoda Bullcoming of Lame Deer, Montana; Lydia (Francis) Hamilton of El Reno, Oklahoma; a special granddaughter Irene Spotted Elk/Wilson and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Adeline loved each and every one of them unconditionally.
Our Cheyenne language was held with passion and respect in life. Reading and writing in the sacred language and dedication to ensure our language was alive. She spent a majority of her time teaching children, adults and whomever wanted to speak the sacred Cheyenne language.
While in the Mormon placement program she learned to play piano. She was an alumni of Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute and attended Haskell Indian University from 1977-1979, earning her graduate degree from Chief Dull Knife College in 2001. She worked for Lame Deer School and the Northern Cheyenne Head Start Program as a cultural teacher. Adeline traveled many states accompanying her niece Diane attending Cheyenne Historical Sites and commemorations. In her younger life, she traveled with Marie Sanchez and Mildred (AKA Mustard) Redcherries attending rallies and protests for Indigenous Rights.
Her pride in being Northern Cheyenne showed in how she walked with dignity, it was important to her that her nieces and granddaughters knew that they came from Chiefs and should always carry themselves with respect and pride while always remaining humble. Her favorite pass times were playing cards; going to social gatherings like powwows and basketball games; supporting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; listening to Bob Marley, Bob Seger, Peyote music, and round dance music. Adeline encouraged us as a mother lovingly caring and nurturing us whenever hard times came upon family. She will be missed, but we take comfort in knowing her spirit will be forever present in our lives through her teachings. Her body grew tired from the lung disease but her mind and spirit remained strong even in her passing, she had faith and trust in Ma’hēō’o and accepted her plan for her life.
She is preceded by her son Wamblee Spotted Elk, two unborn daughters, and companion Joel Woodenlegs. Her parents Alec and Fern Spotted Elk; brothers Abraham Spotted Elk Sr, Kenneth Spotted Elk Sr, Cedric Spotted Elk, Joseph Medicine Elk and brother in law Vernon Bullcoming; sisters Irene Spotted Elk-Wilson, Jenny Spotted Elk, Cora Spotted Elk, Alice Spotted Elk-Yellow Plume, Inez Spotted Elk-Wilson and Virginia Spotted Elk-Whitedirt; nieces Pamela Spotted Elk, Monica Whitedirt and Jennifer Spotted Elk; nephews Clement Wilson, Kenneth Spotted Elk Jr, Dino Spotted Elk, Clovis Wilson, Anthony Prairiebear; grandchildren Danny Seminole, Alex Spotted Elk and Simon Longneck.
Pallbearers are Zack Wilson, Johnny Wilson, Kipp Wilson, William Wilson III, Zyler One Bear, Koan Komas, Peyton Killsnight, Beau PrairieBear and Anthony Morrison.
Families are Runsabove, Redcherries, Pines, Blackstones, Wildhogs, Whitedirts, Seminoles and other numerous relatives whom are in our prayers and thoughts. Adeline’s family would like to thank Billings Clinic, Circle of Life, Joyce Wounded Eye and her neighbors at Shoulderblade Complex for their care of Vonȧhe’kȧse’hehe.
Adeline F. Spotted Elk, age 69, of Lame Deer
November 29, 1953 – September 29, 2022
tamera sooktismann says
Dalene: I am so sad to hear of your passing. As I sit here, I am thinking about the old days, of when you use to come to mom and dads place. I was always happy to see you, because your happy spirit, smile and attention/personality, would take the time to come and greet all us kids out in muddy with a hello or a hug was in place. I thank you and appreciate all the welcoming words you would give me, when you saw me. Condolences to all the family…She is our angel….that will continue to watch over all of us and pray for us, like she did when she was here with us…..(tears)…..Prayers….
Limberhand Family says
Sending our deepest condolences. She was such a kind soul. Loved working with her at LD school. May she R.I.P
Jane Nightwalker says
I had the honor of attend Cheyennd Language class she taught at Dull Knife College. She would just laugh as I tried to say Cheyenne words. The best times of my learning. You could she see loved our Cheyenne Language. A strong beatiful women! Appreciate the patients she had with me, because I was a Okie trying to learn our language! Condolemces and prsyers to her family!
Janet Lassen says
Sending condolences and prayers. Will miss her grace and smiling presence. Such a loss for family and loved ones.
Mina Seminole says
Deline will be missed a lot, especially as we continue to work toward preservation of our beautiful Cheyenne language, she was a great language teacher. One summer she taught several of our ladies here at the college and she pushed them to speak the language. They had to introduce themselves in Cheyenne by telling their Cheyenne names, where they came from (what district) how old they were, who their parents were. The ladies in her class sure learned their numbers especially when they had to know how old they were. It was a fun class. Now our Cheyenne speakers are that much poorer with her leaving us, she knew how to read and write the Cheyenne language. One of the precious few that can read and write our language. What a loss for our people. Deline, I wish you would have gotten well. Journey well as you travel back to your loved ones who are waiting for you. You will be missed a lot.
Denise Swank says
So sad to hear of her passing. She was such a humble person who would talk Cheyenne to me n say one day you will be fluent keep saying things in our language n listen to those of us who speak it. I will miss her. Missed her slot after she got sick I never saw her anymore but I kept her in prayer. My condolences to the family.
Brooke Gondara says
My gratitude runs so deep – – during very formative years of my life, you were my teacher and friend. The visits and the memories of you coming to my office at the college with your radical, rally, and rights ladies are priceless. I learned so much from you all and I know it was divine intervention that I was blessed with you all in my life. Travel easy.
Dr. Brooke Beaverhrart Gondara
Lori Fourhorn says
I will forever remember your stories …you will be missed in our community.
Corrina Horn says
I’m so sorry to hear of Adeline’s passing! 😭 She was one of the sweetest, most honest people I have ever met. I wish we would have had more time.
Travel well, my friend. See you on the other side! ❤️
Addie Baker says
Adeline we were classmates all through our elementary years. You were so graceful and humble. I will always remember we were on the relay team for Lame Deer Chiefs and always won at our meets. We parted ways but you always held a special place in my heart. I wish we could have visited again. I didn’t know you were ill. Journey well my Cheyenne sister.
ROBERT LITTLE WOLF says
THE NORTHERN CHIEF COUNCIL EXTEND THEIR CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS FOR STRENGTH DURING THIS MOST SAD, SORROWFUL AND MOURNFUL TIME FOR THE LOSS OF A BELOVED LOVE ONE
Rayford Gray says
Rest in Peace my long time friend. I remember all the fun times we shared with my cousin Maurine during our visits to our Northern relatives. Your loving memory will be kept alive by those of us who who fortunate enough to have crossed paths with you and counted you as “Friend”.
Prayers and Condolences to the Spotted Elk Family…
Mary Dillon says
Sending my love and My sincere sympathy to all of her family.
Elleni Sclavenitis says
I’m so sorry for your loss. Adeline’s impactful and moving story about the Sand Creek Massacre was an invaluable contribution to the historical record, and will live on in the forthcoming exhibition at History Colorado as well as the archives of the Center for Sand Creek Massacre Studies. She was a great storyteller, gentle but powerful. I am honored to have met her.
Jennifer J Johnson says
My older brother just informed me of her passing…she came to us from the Indian Placement Program through the Church and lived with our family in Rochester, Washington the first year we moved to the old farm and I remember her standing by the old wood kitchen stove helping cook meals as this was the only source of cooking and heat in the kitchen. Over the years we updated everything, but she was a trooper with all the rest of us dealing with more primitive living that first year there, even sharing the bath water amongst seven others. I am two years younger than she and remember her elegance and quiet, happy ways. We love all our foster brothers and sisters who graced our lives through the years. Her accomplishments were many and I look forward to seeing her again one day…