Mike Matzinger
Earl Old Person, known by his Blackfeet names Stu Sapoo (“Cold Wind”) and Ahka Pa Ka Pee (“Charging Home”), was a revered Native American leader and the longest-serving elected tribal official in U.S. history. Born on April 13, 1929, near Starr School on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana, he passed away on October 13, 2021, at the age of 92 after a prolonged battle with cancer.
Raised in a traditional Blackfeet household, Old Person was the son of Juniper and Molly Old Person. He was part of the last generation to speak the Blackfoot language as a first language, learning English only upon entering elementary school. His upbringing was steeped in Blackfeet culture, and he became a living repository of traditional stories, songs, and dances. His remarkable ability to memorize and preserve Blackfeet music was noted by contemporaries, with some describing him as having a “genius-type ability” to recall Indian music after hearing it just once.
Old Person’s journey into public life began with his involvement in Boy Scouts of America Troop 94 in Browning, Montana. He credited his early experiences in Scouting for developing his public speaking skills, stating that it was in Scouting where he learned to speak from the heart without relying on written speeches. His confidence and oratory skills, honed during his Scouting years, would later serve him well in advocating for his people.
In 1952, at the age of 23, Old Person was elected to the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council, becoming its youngest member. He served on the council for over six decades, including more than 50 years as chairman. In 1978, he was bestowed the honorary title of Chief of the Blackfeet Nation by the family of the late James White Calf, the last principal chief of the tribe. His leadership extended beyond the reservation as he became a prominent voice for Native American rights, meeting with U.S. presidents, foreign dignitaries, and advocating for his people in various forums.
Throughout his life, Old Person was a staunch advocate for preserving and promoting Blackfeet culture and language. He was instrumental in efforts to revitalize traditional Blackfeet songs and stories, ensuring that they were passed down to future generations. His deep connection to his heritage made him a respected elder and a symbol of cultural continuity for the Blackfeet Nation.
Old Person’s legacy is commemorated in various ways, including the renaming of a section of Montana Highway 89 on the Blackfeet Reservation in his honor. His life’s work continues to inspire those who strive to preserve indigenous cultures and advocate for Native American rights. Earl Old Person’s passing marked the end of an era for the Blackfeet Nation, but his influence endures through the many lives he touched and the cultural heritage he helped preserve.