Craig Elkshoulder, age 53 of Washington, formerly of Lame Deer passed away on January 15, 2026 in Seattle, WA.
Craig Myles Elkshoulder Sr (Yellownecklace) was a one of kind, extraordinary person, loved and respected by his people and many communities. He was highly intelligent, possessed vast knowledge of his culture, and spread positive vibrations through his songs and stories. He will be missed by many, especially those closest to him. Blessings to his children and grandchildren; may Maheo continue to watch over them. Continue to light up the darkness with ONE LOVE.
Survived by: His Dog Soldier Society brothers, Chief Headsman, Linwood Tallbull, Headsman Lomar Wandering Medicine, Headsman/Whipman Wallace Bearchum, Doorman Tony Threefingers, Pipe Keeper Eugene Elkshoulder, Drum Keeper Donovan Taylor, Legal Advisor Roger Red Hat, Lieutenant Milan Goudreaux, and Lieutenant Tyrone Woodenlegs.
He is also survived by his oldest Autumn Rose; only son Craig “CJ” Elkshoulder Jr; 5 grandchildren Lily, Enoch, Luna, Alexandra and Daryle. His siblings siblings Lomar (Trina) & Boys, Marcia and, Marquel & Kids, Mark S. Elk Shoulder, Sam St. Owl, Janelle Turtle (wife), and Marley Irie Elk Shoulder, and cousins on both Elkshoulder and Spear sides and a very large NAC family.
Survived by: His Dog Soldier Society brothers, Chief Headsman, Linwood Tallbull, Headsman Lomar Wandering Medicine, Headsman/Whipman Wallace Bearchum, Doorman Tony Threefingers, Pipe Keeper Eugene Elkshoulder, Drum Keeper Donovan Taylor, Legal Advisor Roger Red Hat, Lieutenant Milan Goudreaux, and Lieutenant Tyrone Woodenlegs.
A special thank you to Jesus Figueroa, Sean Fay, Nelson Turtle Jr., and Jesse Bettis and family for being there for your friend until his last moments.
Graveside services will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at the Birney Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
Share
Diane Spotted Elk says
My thoughts and prayers to his family and many friends he prayed with around the many fire places across the U.S. Journey well.
Courage Elkshoulder says
Keeping you in Prayer and thought cousin. I will always remember our laughs and times together. You inspired me to be a better human being and stay focused. I love you. DM
Friend Of says
Prayers For Craig’s Wife JANELLE TURTLE And Her Family . All Friends Outside Of Montana Thank You For Taking Care Of Craig On His Journey Through Life . Craig You Will Be Missed
Sean Fay says
I’ve shed quite a few tears today, and off and on over the past two weeks since Craig’s been gone, thinking about him and the time I had the opportunity to share with him, I also am happy I had the fortunate opportunity to really get to know him.
I knew Craig as a nonconformist maverick and independent thinker who rejected standard social constructs, customs, rules, and prevailing norms who blazed his own trail, I really valued and enjoyed that about him.
Friends like Craig are
impossible to replace and exceptionally scarce, thus very pleasant and enjoyable but also very painful to lose.
Craig was a profoundly gifted extraordinary individual with above average capabilities in empathy and intellectual, spiritual and emotional intelligence.
It was really an honor to know him and be his friend, especially during his last days in the hospital in Seattle before he made this recent journey across the milkyway, I’ll never forget him and those times.
Something Craig had shared with me in the last times I got to spend with him is “To be careful about judging peoples prayers and getting in their way because we don’t know who the Creator will listen to, That only the creator decides that” and “Our friends and loved ones who have passed are in the cedar smoke”
Several eagles were soaring above our home place a few days ago whistling, I thought it might be Craig and some friends and relatives that have passed on coming to
acknowledge us on their Journey.
Condolences to Craig’s family and friends/everyone mourning with the grief and profound bereavement of this significant loss of Craig here in our lives.
Now his memory lives on with all of us.
💫🦅✨🌹⚡