Arthur E. Thompson

Arthur E. Thompson, Œunka duzahan Hokœina (Fast Horse Boy), born in Ft, Totten, ND on April 27, 1943, son of John and Katherine (Grey Wind) Thompson. Died on Monday, December 8, 2008 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND Mass of Christian Burial for Art will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, St. Michael, ND. Fr. Brian Moen will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery. A Wake and Prayer Service will be held at the Wood Lake Recreation Center, Tokio on Friday, December 12, 2008 beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 8:00 p.m. Music provided by Kris White, Kyle White, Elmer White and Melissa Merrick, Tony and Vina McDonald. All drums welcome. The Procession to Wood Lake will leave at 4:00 p.m. from the Wal-Mart Parking Lot. Casket Bearers for Arthur will be Kyle, Jodi and Elmer White, Troy and Joel Redfox, Lonnie Smith, Vance Thompson and Peter Owlboy Sr. Honorary Pallbearers are Donnie Belgarde, Michael “Buggs” Thompson, Delbert Cloud, Pete Belgarde, Alfred “Fatz” Thompson, Tony and Vina McDonald, Demus McDonald, Cornelius Kirk, Ken Hill, Oliver Gourd Sr., Walter Cavanaugh, Darryl and Noreen Smith, Mahlan Redfox, Russell Brown, Joe Brown, Jerry Guy, Archie Redfox Jr., Louis and Hilda Garcia, Al and Sharon Georgeson, Vincent Shaw, Bill and Charlotte Monette, Brooks GoodIron, Raymond Sherman, David Redfox, Sheila Thomson, Louella Thompson, Pauline Greywater, Lorraine Greybear, Patty Christianson, Lawrence Littleghost, Blaine Leftbear, Hilda Weiker, Thaddius Demarce Sr., Craig and Bernadette Brown, Arlene Demarce, Imogene Belgarde, Tim Cottonwood, Justin McDonald, Esther Abraham, Hermina McKay, Norma Rainbow, Diane Jackson, Francis Owlboy Sr., Elmer Brown, Ambrose “Buddy” Longie, Joseph Lawrence, Aloysius Cloud, Larry Thiele, Elders of the Spirit Lake Nation, Drum group Tatanka Nagi (Buffalo Spirit). Arthur lived in the St. Michael and Woodlake areas through out his life. He attended school in Tokio, ND and Little Flower Catholic School in St. Michael. Arthur was united in marriage for over 28 years to Catherine “Topsy” Thompson. He worked for various farmers in the area. For many years, Art took great pride in caring for the buffalo herd for the Spirit Lake Nation. Arthur was involved in preserving the language and culture through different programs for Spirit Lake, including Cankdeska Cikana Community College and SL Head Start Program. He was a member of the Spirit Lake Tribal Enrollment Committee, Spirit Lake Elder Advisory Board and on the Language Advisory Board. He was also elected as the Elder Representative for the Woodlake District. Arthur was among the few individuals who knew moccasin game well enough to share with others. He was asked on many occasions to demonstrate and teach others the game. During his spare time, Art enjoyed attending pow-wows, going to rodeos, moccasin games, chariot racing and tending to horses. He also loved spending time with family and friends. Survived by daughters Leola and Alvina Thompson, Grandchildren Jodi, Charlie, Jonathan, Kami, Elmer, Kyle, Krystal, Kathy, Krista, Kristy, Kris, and Denise. Sisters: Geraldine (Archie) Redfox, Violet (Calvin) Smith, Viola Thompson, and Charlotte Rickford. Step Children: Clarence and Bonnie Leftbear and Maxine Paul. Special Grandchildren: Renae Mosher, Kara Longie, Maressa Redfox, Tyler Redfox and Kris White. Arthur was preceded in death by his parents John and Katherine Thompson, wife Catherine “Topsy” Thompson, Brother Calvin Thompson, Sister Violet Rose, nephews Marion “Med” Redfox and Cletus Green, stepsons Willard and Carl Leftbear, grandchild Patrick Dean White, niece Melissa Redfox.