Obituary - Henry "Prince" Brockie, DabidaNeetha (Cropped Eared Horse) or TsaeEeWusHoth (Weasel Horse)

Henry “Prince” Brockie, DabidaNeetha (Cropped Eared Horse) or TsaeEeWusHoth (Weasel Horse), 89 years of age, member of the Fast Travelers Clan of the AaniiiNin (White Clay) Nation of Hays, Montana, was called home to the Big Sands July 11, 2019. He lived the longest of both the Brockie and Fox families.

He was born August 27, 1929 to Clarence “Medicine/Holy Tail” and Mary (Fox) “Bad Woman” Brockie. The eighth of 17 children (15 natural plus two adopted) was given the name Crop Eared Horse by Tall Jack (Jessie Big Sky) and the name Weasel Horse by Arthur Skinner (Clara Bad Road). Adopted parents include Eddie and Vernie Matte; Johnny and Emma Adams, Tall Jack and Jessie Ironman, and Arthur and Clara Skinner.

Henry married Ruby Horseman September 21, 1948. Henry and Ruby just celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary in September 2018, receiving acknowledgment from many friends and relatives, including letters from Gov. Steve Bullock and Sen. Jon Tester. Together he and Ruby raised 10 children, adopted four children and adopted four-plus grandchildren; they also raised grandchildren Charlie Ereaux, Andrew Werk Jr., Jordan and Justin Whiteclay, Shyanne Redbear, and Thane Helgeson. Adopted grandchildren include Gabe Guerrero, Tony Little Owl, A.J. Stiffarm, Chay-Chazz Shambo; and all of Bazoo and Nucky Werk’s grandchildren. Godchildren include Tyrell Racine and Connie Filesteel. He had a special place in his heart for his namesakes Prinz Three Irons and Henry “Hank” Brockie. The last of 17 siblings, Henry took his nieces and nephews as his own; he had a special relationship with niece Cathy (Sherry) Aragon, granddaughter Valdean (Khalid) Mountain-El Assad, Paha’ saw sawn and grandson Terry (Tawnya) Brockie.

Henry grew up at the foot of the Little Rocky Mountains at the “Old-Brockie place,” keeping company with Paul Two Kill and Curly-Head, who gave him an original saddle from the Battle of the Little Big Horn. He spent the school year living with his maternal grandparents Belknap and Rebecca Fox in a log cabin by St. Paul’s Mission, with Mouse and Mary Big Beaver living next to them. He joined the U.S. Army (1st Cavalry Division) in 1946 when he was 17 to help his father support his siblings after his mother Mary’s untimely death. He was stationed in Osaka, Japan.

In the early years together with his Uncle Henry Fox, Merle Skinner and James “Snowman” Snow would gather horses south of the reservation, trailing them all the way to Dodson, some 45 miles. As part of the relocation program, Henry and Ruby moved to Inglewood, California, where he worked for Boeing; they returned home to Fort Belknap in 1958. Henry served on the Fort Belknap Tribal Council for 12 years, serving as tribal chairman for four years — he was the original signator for the founding of Aaniiih Nakoda College, formerly Fort Belknap College. He was a lifelong cowboy and rancher, raising cows and horses for over 50 years; he had many great memories of bareback riding and roping with his son Mickey. He was also a heavy equipment operator for the Bureau of Indian Affairs for 42 years; perfecting the skill of scraper operator so that they named a scraper after him — he built most of the roadways on Fort Belknap. He was an original founder of the Hays Water Users organization.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Ruby; his parents, Clarence and Mary (Fox) Brockie; siblings, Teresa Nellie, Clarence “Joe Joe” (Martha) (Betty Lou), Ella (Zeke) Aragon, Georgie, Morris “Brickie” (Joanne), Agnes “Aggie” (Jiggs) Adams, Katherine, Francis “Frosty” Brown, Mary (Wilbur Jackson Sr.) (Gus) Hayes, Anne V. Helgeson, James “Skunk,” Theodore “Teddy,” Cecelia Marie, Helena Ruth and Henrietta and Rosie; by grandchildren Theodore “Teddy” Brockie, Jonathan Tillman, Kimowen Bell, Chase Morin, Jr. and Thane Helgeson, and by adopted grandchild Marvin “Buddy” Doney and Alwayne “A.J.” Laroque Jr.

He is survived by children Clarena, Mickey (Dixie), Stormy, Lorraine, Susan (Rod) Tillman, Leslie (David) Racine, Helena, Teresa, Marcie and Kimberly, and adopted children, Billy Lamere, Gloria (Calvin) Gone, Robyn Hawk and Joseph “Joey” Brockie. He is also survived by 46 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. Survivors also include extended families from Crow; Three Irons, LaForge and House, from Blackfeet; Reevis, Whiteman, and Carlson. Extended Fort Belknap families include; Fox, Wing, Walker, First Raised, Chopwood, Healy, and Walking Chief.

Pall Bearers include Swede Cole, Clarence Three Irons, Frank Fox, Jonathan Windy Boy, Alvin Windy Boy, and Tim Werk. Honorary pall bearers include; Tom Filesteel, John “Muggy” Filesteel, Ricky Morsette, Billy Lamere, Ty Racine.

In the end he was provided loving care by his family; Joanie Bull in Sight, Baby Rod Tillman, Michael “Baby Todd” Red Bear, Nicole Brockie, Louise “Weesa” Aragon, Marcie Brockie, Sue Tillman, Lorraine Brockie and Teresa Brockie.

Prince was a proud father and grandfather; he saw his most important role as providing for and protecting his family. He impressed upon his children and grandchildren to always work hard, pursue education, and to be responsible and independent. He also impressed the importance of family and of being a good relative. “I am just a cowboy” was dad’s foundational quote.

Wake services began at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019, at his residence. A rosary was recited at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, July 14, 2019, also at Prince’s residence. He was moved to the Mission Rec Center in Hays at 9:00 a.m. Monday, July 15, 2019, and funeral services were at 11:00 a.m. Monday. Burial will follow in Old Hays next to his beloved wife, Ruby.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Please visit Prince’s online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for this family at http://www.hollandbonine.com/.