Mark Edward Small, Nahkȯxhaa’eho’oesėstse (High Bear), age 79, of Ashland, MT was called home by Maheo on September 20, 2016 in Lame Deer. He was born in Crow Agency Montana on October 31st, 1936 to Edward Eli and Irene LaRance Small. He was the first born of 3 children. He grew up and attended school in Busby, MT. After attending three years of high school, Mark then graduated as valedictorian. Mark attended Haskell Indian College for one year where he studied Business and participated in Rodeos. After returning home to Montana, he worked on the family ranch, and then owned businesses in Busby and Lame Deer, MT.
In October 1970, Mark travelled to Brigham City, Utah to meet with National Indian Training Center staff about a brilliant concept he had with respect to alcoholism and drug abuse in Indian country. The result of this creative meeting, in January 1971, the first organizing meeting of the American Indian Commission on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse occurred in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mark and the National Indian Training Center staff successfully sponsored this organizing meeting and the American Indian Commission on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse was created and signed off by the late Mr. Sweeney Wind Chief and Dr. Lenore A. Stiffarm. Mark creatively and successfully lobbied the U. S. Congress to allocate funding to the National Institute of Alcohol, Abuse and Alcoholism for the specific purpose of combatting the astronomical effects of alcoholism in Indian country. This work created by Mark was replicated in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The program was comprehensive in that funding was available to train alcoholism counselors as well as to fund prevention and intervention efforts throughout the United States and Alaska. Numerous states started a state American Indian alcohol abuse and alcoholism commission with which to respond to the grass roots needs of indigenous communities. The American Indian Heritage Program with Seattle Public Schools, Seattle, Washington, was the only school in the world that was utilizing our ways of knowing and being (culture) as a way of retaining and graduating American Indian students. Dr. Michael Joseph Raymond and Dr. Lenore Stiffarm replicated this model so that the American Indian Commission on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse could use this in the recovery modalities for indigenous communities. Under Dr. Raymond’s guidance, Mark successfully established Morning Star in Billings, MT. This was another prosperous venture that was successfully adapted within indigenous communities in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Mark’s successful efforts with these universal endeavors regarding alcoholism and drug abuse recovery catapulted him into areas where he received numerous awards nationally and internationally.
Mark then worked with the Fellowship Foundation in Washington DC until 1977. Returning to the family ranch after the death of his father, Mark worked on the family ranch for a few years before selling to his brother and returning to Washington DC to work as a lead investigator for the Native American Rights Fund. After his retirement, Mark moved home to Ashland, MT. Even after retiring Mark continued to be an advocate for people in the community who had no one else to speak for them.
He is survived by three uncles, Melvin Small, Clinton Small and Johnny Small. A brother Lemuel “Butch” Small, and a sister Gertrude “Trudy” Small; six children, Lyle Small, Dixie Hofer, John Stiffarm, Doug Small, Chance Joy (CJ) Small, and Lisa McCaulley; 15 Grandchildren and 8 Great Grandchildren. He is preceded in death by one daughter Marva Sioux.
Wake will be from 7pm-11pm Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Lame Deer Montana on Sunday September 26, 2016. Rosary and Funeral service will be at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Lame Deer Montana on Monday September 27th, 2016 at 11am. Burial will be in the family Cemetery at the Small ranch, Busby Montana. Dinner will at the church.
“I was a fighter for my people and willing to stop and help a brother in need.” Mark Small July, 2011
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 PM
Sunday September 25, 2016
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish
630 Cheyenne Ave.
Lame Deer , Montana 59043
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Monday September 26, 2016
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish
630 Cheyenne Ave.
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 PM
Sunday September 25, 2016
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish
630 Cheyenne Ave.
Lame Deer , Montana 59043
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Monday September 26, 2016
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish
630 Cheyenne Ave.
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
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Bob Bragg says
Mark was a good friend and helped me on my journey. I pray his journey has brought him home and he will be cradled by Maheo. Sleep well old friend.
Fran Oswald says
Thoughts and prayers for Mark and family. He will be missed.
Porter & Ann Knows His Gun says
Condolences to the Small Family, your in our thoughts and prayers.
Anna Crow says
Mark, I am glad I had a chance to greet you and tease you the morning you died. And I know you are already playing cards with Bisco and Father Emmett. Save a seat at the table for me. And please have our usual steak (medium rare) and lobster waiting. I miss you, Brother!
Dear family of Mark, I know you miss him even more than I do. You do know, I hope, that you are all welcome to come by occasionally and be hugged and picked on for old times sake.
With
Eva Foote says
Mark, thank you for all the fun times we had at the front desk, i miss giving you a hug and i know it helped us both. , but i know that you are back with the Creator and all your loved ones. Thank you for the encouragement you have given me through out the years here at the Heritage Living Center, Bye for now my friend. Eva
Gods Comfort and Peace to all of Marks Family and friends
Bert Rickman says
Lyle, so sorry for your loss. Hugs.
Deb Bartholomew says
Dixie and Families:
Sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. Hugs and prayers to you all. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
James Arneson says
Dixie, I am sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. May God comfort you and your family during this time of losd and bless you with wonderful memories.
Clayton Small Sr says
Mark,
I will miss our good visits regarding “teachings” that help our Native people in their healing journey, especially from substance abuse. I remember our prayers in the sweat lodge…your compassion touched many lives. Travel quickly my relative to our Heavenly Father where life is good and peaceful! Your family are in my prayers for moving forward and loving and remembering you…
Christine Valentine says
Mark was a landmark figure in bringing Recovery Programs to the area. He helped many people. I have a lot of respect for the work he did. My deepest sympathy to his family.
Wanda Linnell Richlen says
Dixie and family:
I’m so sorry for your loss. This is not good bye but until you meet again. Cherish the memories
Tameka says
To the family: May you find comfort in knowing that God is close to the brokenhearted.
-Psalms 34:18
Mary and Jolyn Dillon says
To all theSmall family–I am sending my deepest sympathy. Your family will be in my prayers. May you find comfort in knowing that we will see our loved ones again.
Mary Dillon
Donna McCulloch says
Lyle and Dixie, I was saddened to read about your dad’s passing. His legacy will live on in the program’s he was instrumental in developing. May you be comforted by the knowledge that he is with those he loved and that you will see him again one day. Rest in peace Uncle Mark.
Vance Trube says
Sorry to hear about Mark’s Passing.
Georgia Ann Burns says
I am sorry for the Small families lost. I offer my sincere condolences! I have known Mark, for many years. He was the director
of “Morning Star” treatment center in Billings, while I was a client there. Even though I was kicked out, he gave me another chance. I give him full credit to my recovery process!
I will miss his teasing and smile.
He was the guru of recovery, and brought the message to many of our “Northern Cheyenne”
people. He was an exceptional mean.
May you fly with the angels.
You are not here, but forever you are in our hearts.
We will all meet on the “other” side!!
Sandi Kohones and Jon Wilkerson says
Lyle and Dixie, Jon and I are so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Nadine R. Weaselbear says
Mark was a good guy. I had the honor to meet as I worked at the Heritage.. It was a blessing to meet such a awesome guy, he was quiet and friendly. One thing he always asked me when you coming back to work? It’s gonna be hard not to see him there but my heart and prayers are with your family.
Pauline LaRance Eaglefeathers says
Sending love and blessings on your journey home brother. Condolences to the rest of the family.
Mary Gauna says
My heart goes out to the Small family. Prayers and thoughts are with you. May you have much healing in this time of hurting.
Bobbie Becker Walstad says
I will cherish the time and memories I shared with Mark. My heart goes out to the Small Family. Sending lots of hugs and love.
alice larsson says
keep this listing for Mark