Willi “Chubbins”, Sichawastewin (Mean but kind woman), was the first child born to William “Bill” Youpee, Sr. and Isabel Floretta Weinberger on July 10, 1939 in Poplar, MT. She attended her early school years in Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR and graduated from Poplar High School in 1956.
As a member of the Sisseton-Yankton Dakota, Willi grew up learning and living the ways of her ancestors. In her youth, she shared many a country journey with her grandparents, Helen and Joe Brushorn, in their horse drawn buckboard wagon hunting and gathering wild berries, turnips, medicinal herbs and plants. Other times, the family would load up and make it to tribal celebrations in neighboring reservation communities in Montana, North Dakota, and Canada. Pitching tent, dancing, feasting and breaking camp was a familiar routine of Willi’s family and relations.
Willi began her academic career at Portland State University in Portland, OR. She was an alumna of Montana State University-Bozeman, along with her sister Helen and brothers Allen and Dwight. She was a member of the group of Indian students who founded the Council of American Indian Students at MSU in 1961, and was a member of the Montana State Delegation to the first National Indian Youth Conference in 1962.
In 1963, Willi was named Miss Indian America at the 10th Annual All-American Indian Days in Sheridan, WY. She was the first Fort Peck tribal member to win the title. As Miss Indian America, Willi embarked on a national speaking tour and participated in the Montana Territorial Centennial in 1964. She was also featured in “Cheyenne Autumn Trail”, a short film, narrated by Jimmy Stewart, produced to provide context to John Ford’s last western.
After her tour as Miss Indian America, Willi moved to Washington, DC to work for U.S. Senator Lee Metcalf. During her time in Senator Metcalf’s office, Willi developed a friendship with Senator Edward Kennedy, with whom she traded jokes in Senate halls. In Washington, she met Larry Bussard. She and Larry married, and spent 50 years together in Arizona and California.
Willi also worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs Phoenix Area Office and assisted her father, a founding member and the first executive director of the National Tribal Chairmen’s Association, at that organization’s annual meetings.
Willi possessed innate artistic creativity, earning a degree in Interior Design Photography from Scottsdale Community College in Arizona. She practiced that profession successfully for several years, contributing to portfolio development of Interior designs. During this time, she also studied photography under Ansel Adams, one of her favorite photographers.
Willi’s life was marked from an early age by her deep empathy and concern for the welfare of others. She was always first to extend a helping hand, and to offer comfort and emotional support to others on life’s journey. She was steadfast in these values of sharing, giving, and recognizing the humanity in others no matter the situation. Through the guidance of her grandparents, her parents, and her tribal community, she brought those ways to fore in her contemporary lifestyle.
Willi’s family will remember her as a devoted rescue mom to desert tortoises and dogs, especially Blue Heelers. She was a loving daughter, and sister, and a doting aunt and grandma. She collected nutcrackers and was a truly incredible cook and baker. She developed many dear friendships in the Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Salinas areas.
Willi passed away unexpectedly while traveling in Arizona on August 14, 2019 at age 80.
Willi is preceded in death by her mom and dad, Bill and Isabel; her brothers, Allen, William Jr., and Danny; brothers-in-law Pete Ramsey and Roy LaFramboise; her sisters, Florence (Red) and Gretchen; sisters-in-law Roxane Gibbs and Bernadine White; nephews, Joe Cloudboy, Allen (Junior), Michael George, Skay Sr., William (Billy), and David; niece Tracy; grandsons, Skay, Jr., and Armon Boyd; grandparents, Helen and Joe Brushorn, Frank Youpee, and George and Ida Turning Bear Weinberger.
She is survived by her husband, Larry; brothers and sisters, Helen (George), Dwight, Josi (Réné), Lori, Cary (Linda), and Marvin (Renay); adopted brother and sister, Albert “Greek” Culbertson and Joan Broomfield, both of Poplar; special cousins Susie and Aileen Red Bird; Uncle Lloyd Youpee of Poplar; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Willi Bussard Memorial Fund at Independence Bank of Poplar.
David and Chong Ae Boyd says
Sorry for your loss our prayers are with the Youpee family
Pauline Azure-Feuvray says
May Willi rest in peace and now she is an angel to her family. God bless the family and relatives.
Lucy Redekopp says
My sincere condolences to the youpee family. Williamette was a beautiful person.
Kenny Shields says
I remember Williamette riding a single foot horse in a Poplar parade when I was about 8 years old. She was dressed in buckskin and the horse had beaded trappings and pranced sideways when it trotted in the parade. We watched her go by and felt so proud in who she was. Williamette represented all of us, the Indian people, and was very supportive of her. She set the standard for the vision of success for all of us on Fort Peck Reservation, and all people in Indian country. We need more like her to set examples that many can follow. In spirit she carried the eagle staff of life for all Native Americans, she is right up there with Eloise Cobell and other leaders that took it upon themselves the challenges of adversity and the likelihood of termination of rights of the American Indian, and did something about it with great courage and strength. We all can learn from her success and do the same. Williamette still lives on in the hearts of those she touched so dearly, she now rests with Heavenly Father to receive of Him those things laid up in store for her, worlds without end. Thank you Williamette for a life well done!
Matthew S Carlton says
What a beautiful soul. I remember her and Panjy and Bill and Isabelle (and many others from that wonderful family) in my childhood. My mom, Mary Bisson Carlton, made her dress she wore as Miss Indian America in 1963 or 1964…sending love and blessings from across the years, “Scott” Carlton