Sidney Bird

Four Day Feast: begins 2:00 PM Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Wake: Friday, April 6, starting at 2:00 PM with prayer service at 7:00 PM

Funeral Services: Saturday, April 7, 2007, at 10:00 AM all at the Frazer Community Hall

Interment: St. Joseph's Cemetery, Frazer, MT

Sidney Bird, age 76, of Wolf Point, MT passed away Sunday, April 1, 2007 at the Billings Clinic in Billings, MT.

Sidney was born September 15, 1930 in Poplar, MT the son of Harry Bird and Sarah (Red Door) Bird MartinHe attended country school, boarding school, public school and Haskell Indian Junior College where he was educated in business.Sidney served in the US Army during the Korean War. He was a paratrooper in the 187th Regimental Combat Team. He received his honorable discharge in October of 1951. During his service time he was decorated with various medals and awards including: Parachute Wings, Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal with Bronze Star, Occupation Medal (Japan). He loved basketball and competed in the Worldwide Military Basketball Championship. In April 2002 he was selected by U.S. Secretary of the Army and went to Ft. Campbell Kentucky, home of the 101st Airborne Division part of 187th Regimental Combat Team, where he was awarded the DMOR by two Generals. He was one of 12 paratroopers selected nationwide from Korean War, the only Native American honored that year. Sidney was a charter founding life member, of the 187th ARCT Association.

He was an Assiniboine from Poplar, MT. A strong advocate for his tribe, he held positions both locally for his community as well as nationally. Locally, he owned the Blue Feather Indian Store, was Chairman of Frazer Community Council. He served the Fort Peck Tribes as Chairman and on the Board of Directors for the Tribal Museum, Chairman of the Credit Committee and Chairman of the Tribal State Agreements Oversight Commission. On a national level he served on the Advisory Committee for Minimum Internal Control Standards, National Indian Gaming Commission in Washington, D.C. and National Indian Gaming Association in Washington, D.C. Sidney was tapped by the National Indian Gaming Commission to sit on their Advisory Committee for the Minimum Internal Control Standards (MICS) where he received an Award of Commendation. He was the Billings Delegate to NIGAs Executive Committee since 1999.Sidney loved his Indian heritage and was a role model for the youth. He encouraged students to stay in school and college. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his daughter, Patricia Bird of Frazer.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Pearl.