Melvin Bird Hat

Melvin Paul Bird Hat, Baaballaxxbadelish “Walks with Sacred Plant”, was given to him by the late Andrew  Birdinground, age 54 of Pryor, Montana passed away on June 13, 2025.  

Melvin was a descendant of Chief Bell Rock, a member of Ties the Bundle Clan and Ties the Bundle child. He  was born on September 8, 1971 to Chester Bird Hat and Ethel Marie Buffalo-Bird Hat. He was raised by his  mom Irene Bird Hat. He was a member of the Native American Church and Catholic Church.  

He grew up and received his education at St. Charles Mission, attended St. Labre Mission, and graduated from  Plenty Coup High School. Melvin was an avid Plenty Coup Warriors Fan! He loved supporting his children,  grandchildren, and the team. He encouraged them every time they played. You could hear him cheering, war  hooping and hollering. He would hassle the refs and sometimes a little too much, then you would see him being  asked to leave. But that’s how he was a die-hard Warrior Fan.  

After high school, he worked with his Aunt Mercleen, Bob and brother Joe roofing in Billings until he left to  attended Northwest College in Powell, Wy. He participated on the Rodeo Team competing in Saddle Bronc.  During the summer, he was employed as a Firefighter and traveled across the country fighting fire with his  brothers; Joe, Stanley, Richard, Tronnes and many others. He was employed as a Forestry Technician at  Southern Ute Agency in Ignacio CO where he made his home with his wife A’Reta and daughter Keisha.  Melvin’s passion was horses and he enjoyed working with them. He was a horseman whether it was breaking,  training, or riding horses he was driven by his love for them and it showed. In his younger years, he would  break horses with his Reed brothers (Henry and the George). He would ride horses all day with his brother  Lawrence. He attended Peyote Meetings with his dad and family.  

Melvin loved to travel with his nephew Joey and the Mountain Crow Relay family. He made many friends  everywhere he went. He always greeted you with a smile and hand shake. When he was around, he had stories,  jokes and teasing whether it was around the barns, hand game, basketball or at the corrals. He loved to play  hand games and had a unique style of hiding which was known by all players. He would tell the story of how  he received that style in a dream and it couldn’t be bought because it wasn’t his. He looked forward to the  yearly hand game season and tournaments. He was proud of his daughters when they started to play and would  coach them and give them advice. His granddaughter, Calayah Jones, played for the first time this year and he  was so proud to see her on the floor. Melvin knew his Crow traditional ways. He would set up the tipis for  family and friends. He would “kindly” guide his nephews and younger boy relatives in how to do things like  set up the tipis, build shade and sweat, and other things that needed to be done. He loved the Pryor Mountains.  He enjoyed hunting and driving in the mountains. He told everyone, “my body will be in Hardin, but bury my  heart in Pryor.”  

Although, he was battling with cancer he still kept his spirit up, always joking, visiting, praying, saying “I love  you”. Melvin was a kind man with a humble heart. He loved to listen to music and watch movies to keep him  company on those long appointment days. When he was in the hospital, he would ask about his dog, a husky  named Avocado Paul Bird Hat. He would tell his daughters to check on Avo. Melvin rescued him from the  Animal Shelter but in the end, Avo rescued Melvin. He would tease and always ask about his grand pups;  Aspen Jo Bird Hat and Memphis Gutierrez.  

Melvin is preceded in death by his parents Chester and Ethel Bird Hat, beloved wife Gisele Spring Bird Hat.  Sisters: Aretha Bird Hat, Cammie Bird Hat, Mary Bird Hat, Melanie Decrane. 

He is survived by his children Georgette (Anda) Bird Hat, Keisha Bird Hat, Irene (Josiah), Marena and Chloee' Bird  Hat, Shyanna (Christian), Mikayla, Taylan Old Coyote, and Stephan. Grandchildren: Calayah Jones Bird Hat, Henry Bird Hat,  Haven and Spring Other Medicine, Zaiden, Nyjah and Hazel Crooken Arm.  

Brothers: William Joe (Geralyn) Gutierrez, Carl Monroy, Sampson (Veronica) Decrane.  Sisters: Lana Gutierrez, Pamela Bird Hat, Aritha (Cody) Hogan, Maritha and Anessa (Larry) Gutierrez. Uncle Curtis (Honeybun) Medicine Horse. Aunts: Theda Medicine Horse, Thelma Buffalo, Pearl (Larry) Tobacco,  and Lucille (Alvin) Yarlott. Mother-in-law Clarise Cloe Kindness.  

Nephews: Jordell (Tamryn) Black Wolf, Antoine, Tyson, Joey (Courtney), Kobe (Aaliyah) Gutierrez. Zephi  (Teatta) and Zyrel Monroy, JD and Dalson Decrane, Ricky Bulltail, Von Stops, Simon Garza and AJ Perez.  Nieces: Kessa and Katherine Gutierrez, Caroline Monroy, Hillary Bulltail, Valarie (Clifton) Falls Down.  

Extended brothers: Stanley (Sarah) Rides Horse, Curtis (Lavonne) Real Bird, Kenny Ward, Reuben (Christine),  Ellsworth (Polly) and Lawrence (Martha) DeCrane, Chet (Miranda) Bird Hat, Reuben Buffalo, Bruce (Birdie)  Big Hail, Blaine Fortner, Mark (Guena) Spotted Horse, Luke (Marcy) Decrane, Buckskin & Brandon (Angie)  Old Dwarf. Tronnes (Elizabeth) Birdinground.  

Extended sister: Kathy Fighter, Sunshine (Carl) Goes Ahead, Sherri Rides Horse, Chamique (Josie) Not Afraid.  Rachel, Althea, Angie, Joselyn and Sister Decrane, Gail Bird Hat, Renee (Yevonne) Littlelight.  

Grand children: Arnold, Cody Jr. “Anxious”, Destiny, Ilea, Ivory and Amarie Hogan. Bria, Faith, Pariz,  Dontez, Levi and Kron Gutierrez. Dallas, Ethan and Jr Nomee. Velma “Cookie”, Mason and Rosaline. Jessie  Door. Great-Grandson Dakota Kacey Lane.  

Honorary Pallbearers: the 1987 Plenty Coup Warrior State Championship Basketball Team, Arrow Creek Hand  Game family, Mountain Crow Relay Team, and all Indian Relay families across Horse Nation. As well as his  extended family including the Rides Horse, Snells, House, Plain Feather, He Does It, Not Afraid, Real Bird,  Moccasin, Flatmouth, Smells, Bird, Plain Bull, Big Hair, Little Owl, Bell Rock, Other Black Bird, Bad Bear,  Medicine Crow, Beaumont, Flat Lip, the Peshlakia and Morris families from Indian Wells, Ariz.  

Please accept our apologies if we have inadvertently failed to mention any of our extended families. Special thanks to his Billings Clinic Cancer Care Team – Dr. Shanko, Dr. Kole and nurses.  

Rosary will be recited 3 p.m. Monday at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Funeral mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Tuesday  at the St. Charles Catholic Mission at Pryor MT. Melvin will be escorted by horse riders to his final resting  place, the interment will follow at the Hardin Fairview Cemetery.  

Dahl Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.