Mark Soldier Wolf facts for kids
Mark Soldier Wolf (born 1927 or 1928 – died 2018) was a respected elder and storyteller from the Arapaho tribe. He spent his life sharing the history, traditions, and wisdom of his people. Mark Soldier Wolf was known for his dedication to preserving Arapaho culture and educating others about it.
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Mark Soldier Wolf's Early Life
Mark Soldier Wolf was born in 1927 or 1928. He was raised by his grandmother on the Wind River Indian Reservation. His great-grandmother was the famous war chief Pretty Nose. She was part of the historic Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876.
In his younger years, Soldier Wolf was sent to American Indian boarding schools. He later shared that these memories were "bad memories, dark stories." He felt they were trained, not taught. Years later, he helped bring home the remains of three Native American children. These children had died at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School.
Serving His Country
Soldier Wolf joined the United States Marine Corps in 1948. He served during the Korean War. An accident there damaged his eardrum. He was honorably discharged in 1952.
When he returned to Wind River, his 101-year-old great-grandmother, Pretty Nose, greeted him. She wore her tribal cuffs, showing she was a war chief. Soldier Wolf worked with horses and sheep. He married Florita, the daughter of Richard Brown.
A Keeper of Stories and History
Before the Northern Arapaho Tribe had an official historian, Soldier Wolf was an informal one. He helped keep the tribe's history alive. His daughter, Yufna, often helped him. She later became the director of the Northern Arapaho Tribal Historic Preservation Office.
Soldier Wolf also gave Arapaho names to people. This included all of his grandchildren. These special names are given during official naming ceremonies.
He appeared in several documentaries. In Wolf Nation, he led a traditional wolf dance. This dance welcomed wolves back to Yellowstone National Park. He also explained the importance of wolves to Native American cultures. This was shown in the 2003 film Wolf: An Ancient Spirit Returns. He was also featured in Celebration! : the Plains Indian Museum powwow.
Sharing Arapaho Culture with Others
Mark Soldier Wolf was an Arapaho representative. He signed an agreement with Arapahoe High School in Colorado. This agreement allowed the school to use the tribe's name. In return, the school promised to teach its students about the Arapaho people and their culture.
On National Public Radio, Soldier Wolf explained why this was important. He said, "What makes it OK here, it helps advertise to the world who the Arapahoes are because there's hardly anything written about the Arapaho." He believed it helped share his tribe's story.
