nɔ́ɔ́kɔ́tiyéíhih 'áánékik'i, Speaking Eagle, of Fort Belknap, MT, began his journey to the Sand Hills at the age of 39. "Touch Down" Tony Little Owl is Aaniih of the Frozen Clan, Mandan and Hidasta, and loyal to the blue and gold, MSU Bozeman Bobcats.  Wake services will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 13, and funeral services will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 14, 2019, all at the Fort Belknap Community Center. Burial will follow in the Stiffarm Family Cemetery. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit Tony's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at www.hollandbonine.com.

Tony, born December 23, 1979 to Delores (Stiffarm) and Gerald Little Owl at Fort Carson Military base, Colorado Springs, CO. Tony graduated from Harlem High School with the C/O 1999, and held the distinct privilege of being the Wildcat mascot. Tony attended Fort Belknap College earning an Associates Degree, then transferred to MSU‐Northern, and MSU Bozeman, majoring in Mathematics. Tony was a big part of the Upward Bound program as a student then mentor. He enjoyed working with young athletes as sports would always be laced in his life ‐ he was a jr high football special teams coordinator, offensive lineman coach for the Harlem Wildcats and a girls basketball coach in Bozeman, turning out winning teams season

after season before moving on. His coaching was influenced by reading "The Guiding Principles" written in Five‐Point Play: The Story of Duke's Amazing Journey to the 2001 National Championship among many other books. He possessed an uncanny ability to connect to the young people. Tony held sports close to his heart. His teams: the Miami Dolphins, Duke Blue Devils, and MSU Bobcats. His hero: Coach "K" Mike Krzyzewski.

Tony's laughter ‐ He was larger than life with a heart and sense of humor to match ‐ making people laugh was easy for him, and he did not hold back when he teased about a certain hippie team taking a loss. Voted as the 1st Native American student to be honored as MSU Bozeman Homecoming King, Tony brought pride to his family and community. He genuinely proved, Bobcats are Classy. Tony worked at

Harlem's movie theater, KGVA Aaniih and Nakota College as DJ Speaking Eagle. His protective instinct moved him to Polson to be closer to his Mom and sisters. He played a highly animated Indiana Jones "Gally Ma Shukde" type game with his beloved nephews and nieces. He faithfully watched over his sister's dogs, and he enjoyed cooking for family, especially cooking frybread, one on his specialities. Tony was a very loving son, brother, uncle and friend. He has a special place in his heart for Whisper, his niece. She remembers his saying: "Goonies never say die," to motivate her. For Tony, growing up in Rodeo Drive was fun back in the day, playing with his Duran cousins in Havre was too, and X‐Box was a good way to pass the time. He would always count‐down to Christmas, a favorite amongst holidays.

Tony was preceded in death by his Dad (Gerald), Brother (Junior), Sibling (Baby), his maternal Grandmother (Vina Malony Stiffarm), maternal Grandfather (Tom Stiffarm), paternal Grandmother (MaryAnn "Tinny" CarryWater‐Kezar), paternal Grandfather (Milton Little Owl), step‐grandfather (Leon Kezar) and adopted grandmother (Ruby Brockie) and adopted grandfather (Henry "Prince" Brockie).

Tony is survived by his Mom, Delores of Polson MT; Uncle, Gerald Stiffarm; Aunties, Gloria Little Owl of Havre, Patti Kezar‐Gray of Great Falls, and Kristina Bay of Flagstaff, Brother, Mike (Becky) of Flagstaff, AZ, Sisters, Vina and Crystal of Polson, MT, Nieces Whisper, Tae‐Resa, Kaia and Jaeda Whiteclay, and Nephews, Nee‐Thone, Jeremiah, Kai, and Keeyan. Tony adopted family the late Ruby's Brockie family, along with all his aunts, uncles, cousins, and his many friends.