Nelson Patrick White Eagle Sr.

Nelson Patrick White Eagle Sr., Hiitooxu’oot passed away peacefully in his home in Ethete, Wyoming in the early hours of October 9, 2026.

Born February 26, 1939 to Josephine White and Herbert White Eagle on the Wind River Reservation.

Nelson’s childhood and upbringing was spent with his grandparents, Steven and Susie, as they instilled traditional Arapaho teachings and values into his life which immensely reflected through his journey and reverence as a humble Arapaho man here on earth.

Nelson was taken to St. Stephen’s Catholic Indian Boarding School where he learned how to survive and perservere as he endured the federal government’s policy to “Kill the Indian and Save the Man” and through his sheer wit, strength, power of prayer, and resilience hung on tightly to his Arapaho teachings and Arapaho Language. Nelson was one of very few fluent speakers left from the Northern Arapaho Tribe.

Nelson was a natural athlete and played basketball at St. Stephen’s, along with his brother Crawford, was a member of the St. Stephen’s Indian Basketball Championship team.

In 1950 Nelson was drafted into the United States Army and spent his tour in Germany and was also proud serving alongside Elvis. He was designated as an expert marksman and also enjoyed playing football. It was on his tour where he learned his love for eating seafood and other delacacies not acustomed to his pallet of traditional foods such as elk, deer, and antelope. There wasn’t a food Nelson wasn’t willing to try, but if he had his favorite to choose from, it would have been crab legs.

In his prime Nelson was a Champion Fancy Dancer. He was well known in Canada and the Plains for his quick, fast, and agile ability to spin and move to the beat of the drum. It was on the pow-wow trail where he met the love of his life Bonnie Jean Goings at Oglala Lakota Nation Powwow. They were married in 1961 and began their lives together in Ethete, Wyoming, where they started their family with the eldest and only daughter Roxanne, and four sons Nelson Jr.(Pat), Steven, Judson, and Henry. Nelson took two of his children Roxanne and Steve on a European Tour for a cultural exchange and exhibition, where they danced in different places.

During the Indian Relocation Act Nelson and Bonnie moved to Oakland California where Nelson learned how to make computer chips. He also became a talented silversmith and learned the art of silversmithing from his grandpa John Pedro. Over the years he created beautiful pieces he gifted, sold, and traded through out Indian Country.

Nelson was a member of the Native Ameircan Church (NAC)N and spent a majority of his early years practing the NAC traditional way of life.

Nelson was an avid hunter and knew the Wind River Mouintains and Owl Creek’s like the back of his hand. He enjoyed exploring the mountains and taking his frIends and family to his favotire places. If you asked him where he found an elk, bear, ram, or fosil, he was known for saying, “it was at No Tell’em Creek”.

Nelson proudly served on the Northern Arapaho Business Council (NABC) having served 4 consecutive terms. His successes through NABC history included developing social and economic development strategies, identifying and utilizing The Northern Arapaho Tribe's natural and human resources to complete successful projects. Examples are the community facilities and infrastructure improvements.

Nelson helped strategize and champion the Northern Arapaho Tribe right to conduct Class II and Class III Gaming on the Wind River Indian Reservation. Enabling the development of the Wind River Casino Enterpise and later expanding the tribes gaming footprint through building Little Wind Casino. The Northern Arapaho Tribe was one of the first tribes to win an Indian Gaming lawsuit and not have to compact with the state due to Governor Jim Geringer’s failing to negotiate in good faith.

Nelson and his fellow councilman were involved in enabling oil and gas settlements, tribal vehiclle registration, and numerous other economic development projects. Nelson promoted education that led to building its resource capacity and building relationships to help bring higher education learning to the reservation and the Northern Arapaho people. He prioritized cultural and Arapaho language revitalization. Nelson was a mentor to all of his people. He utilized his life experiences in guiding those who sought his wisdom, always giving back to the Arapaho people, as he was taught.

Nelson’s service to his people extended into having served on the Northern Arapaho Tribal Industries Board of Directors.

Nelson humbly dedicated his entire lifetime preserving the Northern Arapaho way of life. He unconditionally loved the Arapaho people with his entirety just as he loved his family. He shall always be revered as our beloved Keeper and Ceremonial Leader of this era who not only showed us what being Arapaho means but lived it every day.

He was a Chief in every true sense of the word. But what made his leadership so powerful wasn't loudness or pride—it was his deep humility. He didn't lead by standing above people; he led by standing beside them. He carried the weight of responsibility with strength, grace, and quiet wisdom. When he spoke, people listened, not because he demanded attention, but because his words carried the truth, dignity, and care of a man who genuinely loved his people and his family.

As a husband and a father, he set the standard. He showed what it meant to be steady when times are tough, to protect and care for those you love, and to walk through life with honor. Even through these responsibilities, his humor shone through. You could always ensure laughter lifted the air. The values he lived by every day—integrity, respect, and unconditional love—are the very foundation of the family he built. His guidance, his wisdom, and his legacy will live on in every life he touched, in every memory we hold, and in every generation that follows in his footsteps.

Nelson is surivived by his wife Bonnie; Daughters Roxanne Hines (Dave), Rebecca Armajo, and Lisa Redman. Son’s; Nelson *Pat* White Jr. (Hattie), Steven White Sr. (Alanita), Judson White, Henry White. Grandchildren; Amanda White (Trevor Trosper), Alan White (Lauren), Peggen Hines Frank (Willie), Samatha and Stacie Oldman, Steven White Jr. (Latonya), Winterhawk Goodman, Alison White Eagle, Frank White, Charles White, Nelson White III, Loveeda White (Christian Lopez), Marybel and Alejandra Maldanado, Jared White, Martin Brown III, Keva White, Michael Willow, Hobson White, Olivia and Rachel DuShane. Great Grandchildren; Ampo Mills, Dorianna White, Anessa White Eagle, Hehani Pte Skan White, Arianni White Eagle, Elliana White Eagle, Kaylanna White Eagle, MahpiyaOite White Eagle, Kayliah White Eagle, Auracellia White, Azailia White.

Brother: Marcus Willow. Sisters: Laverne White, Alvera Willow, Mavis Willow, Gloria C’Bearing, Charlotte “Chippa” Goggles, Salina Quiver.

Nieces: Dr. Dodie White Eagle, Lynn Hernadez, Hanna Clifford, Fay Hernandes, Maxine White, Rita Ann Brown, Rickina Armour, Audra White Eagle, Sherri White, Bernadette White, Lisa White, Tricia Willow, Carrie Benson, Chloe and Chloeleah Goings, Julie Goings, Jocelyn White, Philma Willow

Nephews: Tynan BearComesOut, Crawford White Jr, Vince White, Nelson Thomas White, Theodore Blindwoman, Marcus White, Colley Willow, Austin Willow, Houston Willow, Derrick Willow, Sr., Curtis Benson, Martin Goings, and Byron Willow.

Please give forgiveness if we have left anyone out, Nelson had a very large family whom he cherrished and adored and is surived by many brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents Josephine and Herbert White Eagle, Brothers, Crawford White Eagle, Lynn White, Philbert Willow, Merlin Willow, Dorsey Willow, Vince Underwood, Sisters: Philma and Dorothy White, Lenora and Loris Willow. Daughter Sandra C’bearing.

Visitation will be held at Wyoming Indian High School, 636 Blue Sky Highway, Ethete, Wyoming 82520, at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 11, 2026.

An all-night wake will follow at 9:00 p.m. at his residence, 747 Blue Sky Highway, Ethete, Wyoming 82520.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Monday, October 12, 2026, at Wyoming Indian High School, 636 Blue Sky Highway, Ethete, Wyoming 82520.

Please sign the online guestbook at hudsonsfh.com.