Joan Young Bird “Black Medicine” was born on July 31, 1951 in Elbowoods, ND to Matthew Young Bird, Sr. (Horse That’s Fast) and Belva Rush (Holy Paint). She was a member of the Knife Clan and Child of the Water Buster Clan. She was also a member of the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church & 9061 Ladies Auxiliary (life time member).
Joan was born and raised in the Elbowoods area, then the family moved before the Little Missouri River flood to McGregor Buttes, where she grew up with her family and enjoyed horseback riding. She attended Mandaree School her first and second grade year, her third grade year she attended Joe’s Mission School in Chamberlin, SD, she returned her 4th grade year to Mandaree and graduated high school in 1969. She furthered her education by attending Pittman’s Business School in Dallas, TX.
Joan married Paul White Owl, Sr. in 1972 and they had two beautiful children; Linda Kay and Paul, Jr. Joan was a tireless worker and held many jobs through her life; she was an N.Y.C volunteer worker, then went and worked for Mandaree Head Start as a cook, a custodian for the Mandaree Community Hall, a cook/helper for the Mandaree Senior Citizen Center and as a Hidatsa Instructor for the Fort Berthold Community College. She worked various positions for the Mandaree Public School; Kitchen Aide, Clerk/typist, and a certified Bilingual teacher. Also, what she called her “political life” (ha) as she wrote in her memoir, she worked for past tribal leaders in the TAT Tribal Business Council; she was a receptionist for Alyce Spotted Bear, clerical for Ed Lone Fight, Admin Assistant for Tex Hall as well as for Marcus Wells, Jr. (Levings).
Joan also served on many boards; Pow wow Committee member-Vice President, St. Anthony’s Catholic Church member, School programs-Title V, Fort Berthold Housing Authority member, West Segment board member appointed by past Councilman Arnie Strahs.
Joan enjoyed walking, Indian dancing, listening to country and western music, Indian music, visiting friends and relatives, watching and teasing her grandchildren. Her favorite as she wrote was attending Sundance where there was one she could make it too. And being with her grandchildren. Joan was great mentor to all that knew her, her knowledge and wisdom will carry on through her kids and grandkids and all that knew and loved her.
As quoted from her memoir, Joan wrote in her own words, “I am a humble Sundancer and pipe carrier. I enjoy this way of life. All life & things are sacred. Creator is my life and guide. Mother earth will carry me, so will the sweat lodge”.
“I Began sundancing after my mother passed away. I had a hard time and was lost without her, my father was ill all the time. He had loss of memory but he was still my strength and I love him dearly. I danced & prayed hard for my papa to get well. I didn’t want to lose him to. I offered all my sweat and tears for him. Some of the days were hard, cold, rainy, or too hot and windy but I never gave up. I would talk to the Creator and humble myself and ask him to help us all. I especially pray for my Linda K & Kojack, my two kids, I love so dearly. I wanted good lives for them both. And always for the people. Today I have 3 beautiful grandchildren. My pride & joy!”
Joan is survived by son, Paul, Jr. (Charging Enemy); Sisters, Doreen (Dave) Charging, Betty Young Bird, Noreen Young Bird, and Mavis (Tony) Huber; Brothers, Arnold Young Bird (Holy Shield); Grandchildren, Paul Jones (Warrior Spirit), Martha (Feather Woman), Aubrey Grace (Many Sweet grass); Adopted sons, Myron Johnson, Walter Deville, Chuck Freeman and Edgar Pretty On Top; Adopted daughters, all her young bird nieces-Sierra, Crystal, Laci, Destinee, Angela, Pam, Stacy, Ashley, Jessica and Shelby.
She is preceded in death by her Parents, Matthew Young Bird & Belva Rush; Daughter, Linda K. (Feather Woman); Sister, Linda; Brothers, Sonny (Wolf Chief), Leonard (Bear necklace), Darryl and Calvin; Grandparents, Laura Spotted Bear (Red Berries), Robert Rush (Bear Necklace), Tom & Maggie (Snow) Young Bird.