Roland Plain Feather

Roland met his lord and savior on April 19, 2026. His death was sudden and unexpected. 

Roland Kenneth Plainfeather was born at the Crow Agency Hospital on August 5, 1954, to Alec and Mary Plainfeather. He was a member of the Big Lodge Clan and a child of the Greasy Mouth, his Indian name was “Isu’uttexiassee”  translated to “Outstanding Weasel”. Roland was the youngest son of Alec and Mary.

He attended grade school at Pryor Elementary and high school in Edgar, eventually receiving his GED. He later received his welding certification from Billings Vo tech College.

Roland met Kathy Bell in September of 1980 and married on November 21, 1981, in Lodge Pole. To this union Lanaea and Jess were born. Roland was mentored by his fathers Chester Bird Hat, Edward Bird Hat and Everett Whiteman; mothers Birdhat Sisters, Josephine Whiteman, Rosalie TurnsBack, Nancy Fern Little Light, Gladys DeCrane, Irene Birdhat. These respected elder men and women taught Roland the basic instructions for life.

Roland worked for the Crow Tribe Head Start Program for about 20 years, serving in positions of bus driver, custodian, teacher’s aide, cook, Acting Center Supervisor on numerous occasions. Roland jokingly teased that he was the basketball player’s first coach (Head Start). He was a school board member and board chair for 15 to 20 years. This position Roland held with high expectations of achieving better results for the school district. He ensured the school district hired highly qualified teachers. This position required Roland going to Helena and numerous trips to Washington D.C. to obtain funding for the Plenty Coups School.  Roland contributed to the Apsaalooke Language Consortium for many years in sharing his knowledge of the Apsaalooke language in which the second edition of the Crow Dictionary was created.

Roland had skills and attributes working with horses, this included doctoring and healing horses. His expertise working with racehorses took him to winning races in Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota. Roland purchased racehorses from Los Alamitos California and Heritage Place in Oklahoma City, OK. During his training career, Roland achieved a Register Of Merit with his horse, Noble Dust at Yellowstone Downs with Renita Hill (an official AQHA achievement award recognizing a registered American Quarter Horse for outstanding accomplishments in racing).  His horse, Sir Cake Walker, also set a new track record at the MT State Fair in Great Falls, MT. This horse’s record was held for over 20 years. 

He travelled around the country with his family to many places including attending the INFR rodeo finals at Albuquerque, NM; El Paso, TX; Saskatoon, Canada; Rapid City, South Dakota; Sedona, California; Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada. Disney World and Disneyland, Tijuana and Juarez, Mexico. Race tracks: Pimlico, Baltimore, MD; Turf Paradise, Phoenix,AZ; Remington Park, OKC, OK; Los Alamitos, Hollywood Park, Del Mar, and Santa Anita, California. The Downs of Albuquerque and Ruidoso, NM.

He had a Montana state license to be foster parents for numerous children who needed love and guidance. Roland had love and patience working with children.

Roland is preceded in death by his parents Alec and Mary Other Black Bird-Plainfeather, fathers: Chester (Ethel) Bird Hat, Edward (Erma Jane) Bird Hat and Everett (Linda) Whiteman; mothers Birdhat Sisters: Rosalie, Nancy, Tilly, Irene Birdhat, Fern (Andrew)LittleLight, Gladys (Charlie)DeCrane, and Josephine Whiteman, Son: Stevan Little Light; Brothers: Leo, Samuel, Rapheal, Aloysius Lee, Clyde, Cedric, Raymond, Merle, Everett; Sisters: Ruby, Shirley, Judy. Nephews: Dale Scott Plainfeather, Sheldon Pickett, Paul Plainfeather and Niece Channa Mae Whiteman.

Roland is survived by his wife Kathy; Children Alex(Beldean), Lanaea and Jesse; brothers Danny(Mary) PF;  adopted brothers Leo Stewart Sr. and Ronnie(Clarise)Medicine Crow, adopted sister Doris PF; granddaughters Alaina, Adelia, Carlei, Justin, and Emma. Great Granddaughters Leila and Lyla; adopted sons; Alden Big Man, John Nomee and Adam Monroy; adopted daughter Marla Goes Ahead, Irvina, Lori, Sarah Stewart Sings Good and Donna McArthur, El Paso, TX;  Nieces: Gloria Dyer, Lujuana, Mary and Kristie Ann Plain Feather, Fanny (Craig) Cliff, Shannon Plain Feather, Danielle Plainfeather, Leean (Jackson) Prettyontop. Renee (Yvon) Little Light, Donya Costa; Nephews: Woodrow (Shorty) Plainfeather, Tanner(Tatah)Plainfeather Lionel and Kenny Ward, Titus Bryant, Danny(Mandy) and Jason (Wilena) Plain Feather, Elias Plainfeather, Robert and Orin (Diane) Pickett.  He had numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Along with all his special friends he’s made along the way: Jamie Howard, Calvin Ghost Bear, David Hinkins, Bill Eisele, Wes Giles, Miguel Rodriguez, Adan Farias, Valentin Zamudio and Charles Treeb; Jockeys: Carlos Huerta and Eddie Garcia.

Extended family includes- Bird Hat, DeCrane, Stops, BullTail, Hugs, Costa, Rides Horse, Little Lights, Smart Enemy, Goes Ahead, PlainBull, Little Owl, RedWolf, Stewart, Black Hawk, Bad Bear, Red Star, Chief Goes out, Top Sky, Buffalo Robe, and Buffalo Coat families.