Paul Joseph Little

Paul Joseph Little, 82, made his journey to the Spirit World on November 19, 2020, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. Paul was born on August 22, 1938, to Wallace H. Little, Sr. and Mildred E. (Cuny) Little. Paul attended Oglala Community High School in Pine Ridge where he graduated in 1957. He attended North Dakota State University for one year and dropped out of college to join his brothers on the rodeo circuit, where they rode bucking horses from the east to the west coast, and even internationally at Brussels, Belgium. He transported bucking horses from rodeo to rodeo and was a saddle bronc rider until he was injured in an accident while driving a truck. In the 1960s when living in California, he met and married his first wife Paulette (Clifton) Little. He later moved to Arizona, and had three daughters: Darcy Rae, Jody Kay, both of Savannah, GA and Paula Jo. In 1975, Paul moved back to the Pine Ridge Reservation and met and married Elizabeth (Garnier) Little. The couple had one daughter: Tanya Little of Denver, Colorado; Sons: George Little of Denver, Colorado, and Micky Bradshaw of Oglala, S.D. Hunka daughters: Henrietta Short Bull and Muffie Mousseau. Paul accomplished many things during his lifetime, including working at Disneyland with his family members in Los Angeles in the 1950s and 1960s. In later years, Paul served numerous terms as Oglala Sioux Tribal Council Representative from Oglala District. He also served as Chairman of the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council Land Committee and other tribal standing committees. From 1992 to 1995, Paul served as the Director of the Oglala Sioux Rural Water Supply System, and was awarded the Citizens Participation Award, a prestigious Bureau of Reclamation award for his many contributions to the Mni Wiconi Project, both as Director of the OSRWSS and as council representative. In 2006, during the Fire Thunder Administration, Paul served on the Tribal Economic and Business Development Committee and was instrumental in securing funding for the $20 million Prairie Wind Casino and Hotel. Paul was an active member of Our Lady of the Sioux Catholic Church in Oglala. He attended annual Catholic Congress gatherings, completed the Lay Ministry Program leading many Wake Services and Communion Services, and traveled many years participating in the Tekakwitha Conference throughout the United States. For two years, along with Liz, they built, cared for, and oversaw all aspects of the Church’s needs. After the 1999 tornado, they were part of the group that helped design the present church. Paul is survived by his wife Elizabeth (Garnier) Little, siblings, Helena Little of Rapid City, SD, Ernie (Elizabeth) Little of Oglala, SD, and Mike Little of Pine Ridge, SD, and Orson Cuny of Manderson, SD; daughters, Darcy Rae and Jodi Kay of Savannah, Georgia, and Tanya Little of Denver, Colorado; sons, George of Denver, Colorado, and Micky Bradshaw of Oglala, S.D.; adopted daughters, Henrietta Short Bull and Muffie Mousseaux; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. s Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace Little, Sr., and Mildred (Cuny) Little; siblings, Orville, Nadine Rendon, Edsel Little Sky, Adele Benson, Bill Kills Enemy, Richard, John, Jimmy, Don, Wallace, Jr., Bobby, Lorraine Peil, and LaVonne Elaine; and one daughter Paula Jo. Pall Bearers will be Neil Linehan, Pope Means, Dugan LeBeau, Chuck O’Rourke, Scott Cuny, and Br. Rene. Honorary Pallbearers will be Our Lady of the Sioux St. Kateri members, Red Cloud Staff, Bureau of Reclamation, Native American Rodeo Cowboys, family members and friends. Graveside Services: 11:00 AM, Friday, November 27, 2020 at Our Lady of the Sioux Catholic Cemetery in Oglala, SD Officiating: Father Joe Daoust, S.J. and Sister Barb Bogenschutz Honor Song Provided by: Fred Stands Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD