Ground-breaking Indian cowboy dies
Lori Edmo
BROWNING, Montana — All-around Indian cowboy Jack Mark Edmo, 83, passed away July 17, 2023 in Billings, Montana.
His Blackfeet name was “Piitskiinaa” – Shoshone man from the Snake River. He spoke the Blackfeet language fluently and was a citizen of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.
He was born July 8, 1940, to Helen Monroe Sherman and William Bill Edmo. His beloved stepfather Alex Sherman also helped raise him.
He attended schools in Browning, Montana, and graduated with a degree in agriculture from Northern Montana College. He was one of the first Native American scholars invited to Princeton, New Jersey in 1954 in the National Merit Scholar program.
Edmo was a tribal government specialist as he worked in planning and transportation. He served on the Sho-Ban School Board. He and the late Bill Langley submitted EDA grants to build the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Human Resource Development Center and Tribal Business Center in the 1970s, and the Fort Hall Indoor Arena and rodeo grounds including the grandstand.
He worked as a planner for the Blackfeet Tribe for 15 years until he retired at age 70. In 1970, the five tribes of Idaho organized the Idaho Inter Tribal Policy Board Inc. in Boise. Edmo was the first executive director. He was instrumental in getting Idaho Gov. Cecil Andrus to acknowledge American Indian Day.
He had a strong work ethic. He was a traditional cowboy, lived on a ranch — was a gifted horseman and he took pride in that. He rode saddle bronc, bareback, bulls and was a calf roper and team roper.
Ground-breaking Indian cowboy Jack Mark Edmo is shown here riding a saddle bronc known as IndianKiller in the 1970s. Edmo founded the Rocky Mountain Indian Rodeo Association and also worked in local tribal government. He died July 17, 2023, in Billings, Montana, at age 83. BROWNING, Montana — All-around Indian cowboy Jack Mark Edmo, 83, passed away July 17, 2023 in Billings, Montana. His Blackfeet name was “Piitskiinaa” – Shoshone man from the Snake River. He spoke the Blackfeet language fluently and was a member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. (Photo courtesy of the Edmo family)
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He was a founder of the Rocky Mountain Indian Rodeo Association and helped organize the Indian National Finals Rodeo. In one instance, he placed in five events in rodeos including one in Canada.
Edmo had an incredible life as an Indian cowboy and lived his dream. He won over 170 belt buckles. His mother, Helen, made him a pair of elk hide gloves and he used them riding broncs, creating the idea of wearing gloves while bronc riding.
He believed in his tribal traditions — was a visionary — always moving forward, and didn’t wallow in self-pity. Edmo learned a lot about his tribal history, knew sign language and was proud of his culture.
He loved his family, and his photo collection showed the love for them. He shared his knowledge with his children and grandchildren.
He was an avid elk hunter and fisherman. Edmo loved the mountains and told his children that’s where he will be, when they look for him.
He is survived by his children Shelly (Ivan) McDonald, Jack (Casey) Edmo, Gaynell (Tim) Realbird, Dave (Mindy) Edmo, Mark Edmo, Hank McArthur Edmo and Andreen Edmo. He had 18 grandchildren and 21 and a half (one on the way) great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Melvin “Buzzer” Edmo and William Rusty Edmo; and a grandson Ladel Kelly Omeaso. He descended from Chief Arimo.
A traditional wake was held Friday, July 21, 2023, at Starr School Gym in Browning, Montana. Traditional services were at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 22, 2023, at Starr School Gym. Burial followed at Willow Creek Cemetery.
