I received word this weekend that our friend and Blackfeet elder Curly Bear died. I got to meet him years ago during my tribal tourism days in South Dakota with ATTA. We were reacquainted a few years ago when we brought the doc he did with Dennis Neary to Public Television. http://www.visionmaker.org/blackfeet_e.html

What a kind and caring soul who fought so hard against racism and for cultural identity. He opened his heart and home to many folks from all over the world who wanted to learn about the Montana Indians. Rest in peace, Curly Bear.

BROWNING — Clarence "Curly Bear" Wagner, 64, an Army veteran and Native cultural historian, died of natural causes Thursday at a Browning hospital.

Rosary is 7 p.m. Monday at KW Bergen School in Browning. Funeral Mass is 11 a.m. Tuesday at Little Flower Catholic Church, with burial at Billedeaux Ranch in Babb. Pondera Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include daughters Judy Gail Wagner of Crow Reservation, Tamara Wagner of Browning and Ann Wild Gun of Heart Butte; sons Bobby Jo Wagner of California, Joseph Wagner of Browning, and Junior Wells and Waylon Wells of Heart Butte; sisters Jean Billedeaux of Babb, and Melvina Johnson of St. Mary; and 13 grandchildren.