Former tribal leader dies, leaving a lasting legacy

[TK]

http://www.montanaforum.com/rednews/2003/11/11/build/tribal/wetzel.php?nnn=3

Former tribal leader dies, leaving a lasting legacy

By MARTIN J. KIDSTON

Helena Independent Record

HELENA – The man who served as president of the National Congress of American Indians and inspired the logo for the Washington Redskins football team died Friday at the age of 88.

Walter Wetzel, a Blackfeet Indian who became close friends with Sen. Mike Mansfield, accomplished many things in his life.

Among them, he worked with presidents Lyndon Johnson and John Kennedy while advocating for tribal rights.

But Walter’s legacy lies beyond politics.

Mike Wetzel, one of Walter’s five sons, said the leader was also a wonderful father who raised nine children. He had 15 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren at the time of his death.

“Mom was the disciplinarian, and Dad was the nice guy,” Mike said. “He traveled a lot, so the time he spent with us he spoiled us rotten.”

Even while Walter traveled, Mike said, he had time to pass life’s lessons on to his children. Athletics were important, as were good grades. There was time for fishing and lessons in charity.

“The first thing that people noticed about Dad was his kindness, and his love for the reservation,” Wetzel said. “He always helped the people in need. He always had a dollar to give to somebody.”

Mike said his father hoped to return to the reservation. But heart problems kept him in Helena where he lived from 1977 until his death.

Mike said it was Walter’s relationship with Mike Mansfield that inspired him to speak out on Native American issues. Walter met Mansfield as a history student at the University of Montana. It was there that their friendship grew.

“From that friendship Dad ended up meeting several presidents,” Mike said.

The friendship also opened doors for Walter, who used the platform to speak out and fight for change. It was often a struggle that came with setbacks.

“Dad was frustrated in how we’d take two steps forward and one step back,” Mike said. “His thoughts were that people weren’t progressive enough. But he had all the energy in the world.”

During Walter’s swearing in as president of the National Congress of American Indians, President Kennedy sent his brother Bobby Kennedy to North Dakota to give a speech on Walter’s behalf.

Mike said it was a proud moment for his father.

“He was very good friends with the Kennedy family,” Mike said. “He was an amazing man.”

Mike said his father’s visitation will begin at noon today at Retz Funeral Home. A vigil will follow at 7 p.m. at St. Helena’s Cathedral.

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Reporter Martin Kidston can be reached at 447-4086, or by e-mail at kidston@helenair.com.