Renata Birkenbuel 
ICT

From Army medic for soldiers to traditional practitioner and peer support specialist, Corwin YellowKidney, Blackfeet and Amskapi Piikani, flourishes mid-circle in his life’s work.

He may only be 46, but YellowKidney has taken his grandfather’s teachings to heart and immersed himself in his culture in order to share his knowledge with others. His mission, ongoing and heartfelt, included seven years of service (1996-2003) as an Army medic for soldiers in Fort Riley, Kansas, and then Fort Lewis, Washington.

Specializing in sweat lodges and sweetgrass teachings, he has worked for All Nations Health Center in Missoula, MT for nearly four years in roles that seem perfectly fit for him.

For those who know nothing about sweetgrass, he touches upon a lesson:

“I would say sweetgrass is what we use to invite good energy and good spirits and good feelings. How when it comes to harvesting, let’s say sweetgrass in the wild, you got to identify it. So usually there’s one side that’s smooth with a ridge, and on the backside of the blade of grass is kind of like a cat’s tongue.”

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Raised on the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning, Montana, YellowKidney credits his grandfather with giving him a solid foundation for approaching life, joining the military and later working for his community. 

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“I learned that growing up – because I grew up traditionally, but I brought that with me to the military, so it helped me. I learned to be loyal. My Grandpa Buster (YellowKidney) was a very well known spiritual leader. I’m far from his footsteps.”

As a youth, he took his grandfather’s guidance seriously.

“He taught us that … what you put into is what you get out of it. So that was a lifelong lesson I’ve taken with me and I brought it to the military.”

He understands that the military isn’t for everyone, but he knew as a ninth-grader in high school that he was destined to serve.

“I could have made it a bad experience, but I chose to make it a good experience and help me. And with the values that I learned in the military, I brought those over to my life now.”

Faith Price, Community Prevention Coordinator at All Nations Health Center, said the nonprofit depends heavily on YellowKidney and his many talents.

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“One time I was short-staffed taking some of our youth on a hike and Corwin came along to chaperone and lend his skills as a medic in case a need arose,” said Price.

“Just a couple of weekends ago, All Nations put on a tailgate for the University of Montana Native alumni,” she added. “We were laughing because it felt like we needed Corwin’s help with everything during the setup – to start propane heaters, get the generator running, help figure out a canopy, even put out a small fire! Corwin is a tremendous asset to All Nations and a genuinely awesome human being.”

A holistic practitioner, YellowKidney also works with the community garden, gathering medicinal herbs and growing sweetgrass, sage and mint.

He facilitates many sweat lodges, open to all clients and community members.

“When it comes to the sweat lodge, it’s a whole ceremony in itself and transfer rights and stuff. So I’ve learned the protocols that go along with that. But many tribes and many different people, they would, there’s different protocol.”

He appreciates any public acknowledgement of all our vets and his service to our country.

“As a veteran, I am honored by all, when announced. My service affected me by teaching me work values, ethics, loyalty and an honored Native American Warrior.”

The GI bill and veteran education benefits, he said, have made all the difference in his life’s trajectory.

YellowKidney already has two Bachelor’s Degrees under his belt – in anthropology and Native American Studies from the University of Montana.

But he first earned an associate’s degree from Blackfeet Community College after realizing that education creates a solid path. He hopes to earn his Master’s Degree someday, so he’s far from completing his personal circle.

“The choice is yours and that honor of service will follow you for the rest of your life,” he said. “I became a warrior in the eyes of my people and many natives.”

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