Emerson Paul Birdtail Sr.

Emerson Bird Tail Sr, Aaninin (Gros Ventre) Name “Eater (Old Running Bear)” He was given this name by his Father James Bird Tail Sr. He was named after his Great Grandfather Eater (Old Running Bear) Emerson belongs to the (Stands Alone Clan) of the Aaninin (Gros Ventre) tribe.

Emerson was one of the original founding members of AIM in Minnesota at the little Red School House and a survivor of the Boarding school. He worked at many farm jobs and picked apples in Washington State and work for the original CDC with Billy Cochran and did fencing for Housing at the tribe. He was disable but that didn’t stop him from trying to work. Emerson was very proud of his sons dancing at the Pow wows when they were Young, He also loved to watch his grandchildren dance at pow wows.

 Emerson “went west as the old folks would say” on November 15, 2024, to be with his wife Rossella (Medicine Bear) Bird Tail and all his family and relatives that went west before him. Emerson and Rossella were married for 59 years. Rossella went west before him, and she wait for him over there with open arms as is the rest of his family and relatives.  

Emerson left and went west on November 15, 2024, at home of natural causes. A viewing will be Monday, November 25, 2024, from 1pm to 4pm at Wilderness Funeral Home, Chinook, Montana and taken to Malta for Cremation. A dinner and services will be on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 from 4pm to 6pm at Fort Belknap Catholic Church where is ashes will be brought from Malta

Emerson was born September 20,1940 in Fort Belknap to James Bird Tail Sr., Aaninin (Gros Ventre) name “Buffalo Bull Shirt” and Alvina Marsette of the Little Shell Tribe. Emerson’s Grandfather is Eagle Tail or Many Eagle Tails (Old Bird Tail) and his grandmother is Bright Eyes.

Emerson was Preceded in Death By his wife Rossella (Medicine Bear) Bird Tail, Grandson Jason Bird Tail Jr, and three other Grandchildren, Father James Bird Tail Sr, Mother Alvina (Marsette) Bird Tail, Uncle George Sr. (Wolf Tail) Bird Tail, Aunt Jenny Cliff (First Chief),

 Sisters Dana (Bird Tail) Buckman, June (Bird Tail) Small Leggs (Kicks A hole In the Sky).

Brothers, James Bird Tail Jr (Eagle Tail or Many Eagle Tails), Donald Bird Tail     ( Sitting High), Gordon Bird Tail (He who owns His Gray Horse) Tyrone (Rocky) Bird Tail.

Cousin, Joyce (Bird Tail) Gone (little Girl), George Bird Tail Jr, Wayne Bird Tail, Homer Bird Tail, Henry Bird Tail, Rube Bird Tail, Deloras Bird Tail, Ophilia Bird Tail, Almeda Bird Tail (Blue Crane),

mother in-law Marie Medicine Bear, father in-law Wallace Medicine Bear, Brother in-law Busy Medicine Bear, Bobby Medicine Bear, and Alwood (Brother) Medicine Bear, Sister in-laws Ethel and Claudia Yellow Tail.

Emerson is survived by his sons: Jason (Faith) Bird Tail and family, Nickolas Bird Tail and family, Emerson Jr (Kristy) Bird Tail and Family

Brothers: Myron Bird Tail, Leon (Child Of the Beaver) ( Marjean) Eagle Tail (Bird Tail), Vince Bird Tail, Joyce Bird Tail Gone family, Adopted Son Donald “Cody” Eagleman, Verna Bird Tail and Ty Stump, The Boy Family, Red Whip descendants Warrior family, Browns family, Perry Family, Skinner descendants, White Cow family and descendants, Vina Stiffarm Family, Gin Stiffarm family, Horse Capture Family, Buckman Family, James Jr Bird Tail family, Gordon Bird Tail Family, Myron Bird Tail Family, Leon Eagle Tail (Bird Tail) family Vince Bird Tail Family, and life long friend William Snuffy Main.

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