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IN HONOR OF ELMER BLACKBIRD

Posted on November 26, 2007 - Filed Under MASCOTS THAT HONOR, HONOR INDIANS |

Elmer Blackbird died Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007. Elmer Blackbird was born Feb. 16, 1921, the son of Charles Blackbird and Suzette LaFlesche. He was the great-grandson of Chief Joseph LaFlesche, one of the last principal chiefs of the Omaha Tribe. He graduated from Wayne State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. He received a Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Northern Arizona. He also was awarded an honorary doctoral degree from the Nebraska Indian Community College. He taught at Lynch (Neb.) Public Schools and with the Bureau of Indian Affairs Schools in Colorado, Arizona, South Dakota and North Dakota. He retired from Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kan., in 1975, after serving as the head of the guidance department and director of residence halls. He served twice as the Omaha Tribal Chairman and once as a Nation Chairman of the Native American Church. He was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Elmer Blackbird left a legacy of leadership, education and service to his country, tribe, church and family. Honor Indian Institute proposes a fitting memorial for the Omaha Nation School Board to consider. We propose that the Omaha Nation School change their mascot from the Chiefs to the Omaha Nation Blackbirds. Honor Indians Institute has designed a new logo for the School Board to consider: The Omaha Nation Blackbirds!