Gordon Belcourt
Gordon Belcourt, or Meekskimeeksskumapi, (1945 – July 15, 2013) was an
Belcourt was born in 1945 and raised on the
Belcourt was
He served as the Executive Director of the Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council from 1998 to 2013. He has been widely credited with increasing the influence of the council.
Belcourt was also instrumental in the establishment of a regional branch of the Tribal Institutional Review Board.[2]
The
Gordon Belcourt died of a long illness at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings, Montana, at 7 a.m. on July 15, 2013, at the age of 68.[2] He was survived by his wife of 43 years, Cheryl, and seven of their eight children - Sol, Paul Thunder, Annjeanette Elise, Jaime Ruth, Ben David, Alex Anson and Sienna Noel.[1] His eighth daughter, Elena Katie, was murdered in 2001, which increased his determination to fight violence and crime.[1][3]
U.S. Senator Max Baucus called Belcourt a "wise and trusted leader," while Senator Jon Tester also praised him noting, "Gordon could always be counted on to use common sense to get to the heart of the issue and find a solution" whose death leaves "big shoes to fill."[1][2]
References
- ^ The Missoulian. Archived from the originalon July 9, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Uken, Cindy (July 16, 2013). "Gordon Belcourt 'leaves big shoes to fill,' says U.S. senator". Billings Gazette. Archived from the original on July 9, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
- ^ a b "Native American leader, advocate Gordon Belcourt dies at 68". Great Falls Tribune. Associated Press. July 18, 2013. Archived from the original on July 19, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2013.