Bonnie Marie Clincher Red Elk (A Stupi Win) Good Star Woman
Longtime journalist and newspaper publisher Bonnie Marie Clincher, who was the font of knowledge in the Fort Peck Tribes Tribal Executive Board Meetings, went Home with Jesus on Sunday, June 28, 2015. She suffered a stroke on October 20, 2014 and never fully recovered from it. She was 62.
Wake services will be held Friday, July 3 at 7:00 pm, followed by funeral services at 9:00 am on Saturday, July 4; both at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment will be held at Riverside Presbyterian Cemetery.
Bonnie was born on July 6, 1952 in Poplar, Mont., to Mercy (Walking Eagle) and Silas Clincher.
She attended Poplar schools and was active for four years in the Wambdi Ota Indian Club. She looked forward to fund raising for the annual trip to University of Montana in Missoula for the Kyi Yo Indian Club Pow Wow every spring. Bonnie graduated from Poplar High School in 1971.
Bonnie attended Haskell Indian Junior College and eventually earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the Native American Educational Services (NAES) College.
She enjoyed beading, sewing, photography, music, attending powwows and cultural gatherings, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She also made it a point to fix Sunday dinner for her family.
A woman who was generous to all who came in contact with her, Bonnie often opened her home to family and friends from all over helped out many people and organizations in need.
Bonnie began working in journalism in 1975 as a reporter for the Fort Peck Tribal Newspaper, the Wotanin Wowapi. One year later, she was hired as the newspaper’s editor. Journalism runs in her family, as her great grand father Sioux Indian Chief John Lonedog, the last Sioux chief on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, kept a buffalo robe winter count, which was essentially the first Indian “newspaper” because he recorded all of the events on this robe using pictographs. This robe is now on display in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC. She carried on this tradition of recording history through journalism, every edition she printed being it’s own “buffalo robe.” Bonnie was the watch dog of the tribal government, keeping the reservation fully informed of tribal government affairs.
For more than 30 years Bonnie covered all aspects of life on the reservation but her primary duty was covering the tribal government. As the newspaper continued to grow, so did the coverage of the everyday happenings on the reservation.
Bonnie was also a founding member of NAPA, the Native American Press Association, which organized in 1983 on the campus of Penn State University. The organization eventually changed its name to NAJA, or the Native American Journalists Association, a decade later.
The Wotanin eventually went from a bi-weekly tabloid to a full-size weekly newspaper and developed a readership that expanded off the reservation to include the offices of Montana’s Congressional delegation to the many tribal members living away from home.
With Bonnie as editor, the Wotanin received numerous awards including Best Native Weekly in 1994 from the Native American Journalists Association and three runner-up awards in the following years. In 2001 and 2002, Bonnie received first place in the Best Reporting of a Tribal Government category and numerous other writing awards throughout her career.
While at the Wotanin, Bonnie was eventually fired by the tribal chairman, at the time was
John Morales, for her coverage of his controversial administration.
After encouragement from fellow tribal members, family and friends, Bonnie started her own newspaper in 2006. The inaugural issue of The Fort Peck Journal was produced in a cut-and-paste format on her kitchen table and later moved into her father’s building in downtown Poplar.
Also in 2006, Bonnie received NAJA’s highest honor, the Wassaja Award, which recognizes Native Journalists and their dedication to a free and uncensored press. In 2008, she received the Montana Free Press Award, presented each year by the University of Montana Schools of Journalism and Law.
She is survived by her four children, all of Poplar. Her three sons include; Clifford Country, Vern Red Elk, and Randy Red Elk and a daughter, Char Red Elk; two grandsons – Adrian and Joseph Red Elk and two more grandchildren who are yet to be born. She is also survived by her ex-husband for 27 years to Herman Red Elk, Jr.; her brothers Stephen Clincher from Poplar; Barry Beach from Deer Lodge, Mont. & Brad Beach from Laurel, Mont.; four sisters – Annabelle Weston from Porcupine, SD, Carol Clincher and Marian (Bruce) Montclair, both of Poplar; Barb Beach Salinda from Cal.; step-mother Roberta “Bobbie” Clincher of Laurel, Mont.; Uncle Victor (Barb) Perry; nephews Jesse, Clayton, Gregg, Louis, Silas & John Montclair; Robin Youngman and Kristofer Boyd; Christian Clincher; and Verle Clincher; nieces Jo’e Youngman, Carly Sioux Stump, Karen Clincher, Marise Headdress, Ronetta Clincher, Fontella Clincher, Ashley Paine, Lee Ann, Lisa & Vicki Perry, Josephine Youngman, Shelly Burshia & Haven Burshia; many grandchildren from all the nephews & nieces to numerous to mention; adopted sisters: Catherine Spotted Bird of Brockton; Ilona Jo Matthews of Poplar; Crystal Albanese of Ohio; and Diane Richardson of Albuquerque, NM, extended family; The Perry Family; The Boyd Family; The Duboise Family; The Spotted Bull Family; The Longee Family; John & Stacey Summers & family; Candy & George Blount & family; Linda & Lowell “Buddy” Boyd & family; The Hollow Horn family; Donna & Don Gudgell & family; The MacDonald Family; cousin Iva Bear Dean, Dave Kelly & Family from Pine Ridge Reservation in SD and The Clincher families in SD & Colorado.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Abraham and Ronnie Clincher; a sister Nancy Eagle; nephew Thomas Montclair, Sr.; aunties Fannie Kao, Irene Hollow Horn, Marie Summers, Mabel Chapman, Evelyn Smith, all of Poplar; adopted sister Minnie Two Shoes,
Bonnie was a one-of-a-kind and will be deeply missed by all those who loved her.
Kim Adams says
The best sister-in-law, always happy and asked if she could anything for you. She will be missed greatly.
Bob and Terry McAnally says
Our hearts go out to all of Bonnie’s extensive family and friends for whom she was the rock and anchor. She was an amazing lady who gave her lifetime in service of her people. She will be so missed. She left a positive legacy for those who will follow. May your hearts be ministered to by love and goodness in Creator’s world.
David Marin says
My sincerest condolences to you and your family at this difficult time. Know that she is in a better place once again seeing her family and friends that have left this journey and began a new one.
Dorothi Tobacco says
I first met Bonnie at Haskell Indian Junior College in 1973. We became friends fast and were always together. She was so tiny that I told her she remind me of a bean. I started calling her just that – “Bean”. She is my truest friend. We kept in touch with each other over the years. I went up to Poplar to stay with her, she came to Pine Ridge to see me several times – I last saw her about a year ago – and last spoke to her in April. She is Intelligent, Amazingly gifted/talented and a caring Little Lady – “Bean” I have ever met. I will miss our long late conversations over the phone. My Condolences to her children, sisters, Carol, Marion, brother James(Stephen), all relatives & to the Assiniboine Sioux Tribe for a great loss.
Traci LeVay Holt says
My thoughts and prayers for the family of Bonnie. I always thought of her as one of the best role models as she had numerous accomplishments in the midst of some that tried to hold her back. She was a strong lady and will never be forgotten.
Margie Eder says
Oh Bonnie, my heart broke to hear of your passing. You were such a beautiful woman and a loving mom to your children. We’ve lost a great leader in Native American community. Few Native woman have ever rose to such great statue and leadership as you did in your life. I know your children and grandchildren will carry on the beauty of your life in them. Farewell my sister in Christ Jesus, until we all meet again in heaven.
Ardey Boxer says
Sending my sympathy to Bonnie’s children and all her relatives……May she rest in peace.
Bonnie was a great lady who accomplished many things in the field of journalism. I am happy that she is now resting in God’s loving arms……
Sandra WhiteEagle says
Bonnie will be missed. She was kind gentle soul.
Brian Azure, Sr. says
My condolences to Bonnie’s family; she was an inspiration to me, and will be greatly missed.
Rosella Sky Arrow says
Bonnie was an awesome lady. She was a great mentor when I was young and I always loved her and my cousin Minnie Two Shoes. They were always fun to hang with. I will dearly miss Bonnie. I send prayers and hugs to all her family. God Bless You All.
Darlyn Grainger says
My thoughts and prayers are with Bonnie’s family, her children, brothers and sisters, and all other extended families. God bless you all. Take care
Nina Fox says
My heart goes out to her children, it is one of the hardest things to go through when you lose a mother. Bonnie was an exceptional awesome woman. I respected her very much, she had so much to offer to her people. I was very honored to have the opportunity to work for her, I felt very honored to take her place as Editor as she was on maturnity leave to have her daughter Char. I was saddened to hear of her journey to heaven, Bonnie was indeed a good friend an amazing woman. She will be greatly missed by all who respected and loved her as a very good friend. Take care family members and know that your mother left a very remarkable legacy for you all to be very proud of. Many blessings and prayers for all of you.