Orrie Charger, Sr.

Orrie Harry Charger, Sr., age 85, of Eagle Butte, passed away Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at the IHS Hospital in Eagle Butte. 

Traditional Lakota Services began at sunrise, MDT, on Monday, August 31, 2015 at Charger’s Camp.  Burial followed in the family cemetery at Charger’s Camp.  Wake services began at 7:30 p.m., MDT, Friday, August 28, 2015 at the Charger’s Camp with 7:30 p.m. wake services on Saturday, August 29, 2015 and Sunday, August 30, 2015 also at the camp. 

Orrie Harry Charger, the eldest child of Rufus Charger, Sr. and Marcella Holy Bear Charger, was born at Promise, SD on March 28, 1930.  He greeted siblings Rufus, Jr., Alvina, and Melvin.

At age 6, Harry's mother passed away, and the children were raised by the tiwahe.  He had many loving grandparents, uncles, and aunties to assist in his upbringing and help him throughout his life.  Harry lived with Grandma Annie Holy Bear; she imparted many Lakota stories, tellings and ways, as did Grandma Nellie Charger LeBeau. She made him learn and do everything, “even the girls’ work”, about which he loudly complained.

At five years old, he received 14 spiritual dreams which he agreed to at the time.  Times were hard, and Harry went to live at the boarding school and didn't like it.  He ran away back home, and on the way, a blizzard blew in.  A grandma arrived, and she guided him home to LaPlant.  Along the creek he stopped at a warm shack and was fed some food.  He thought about going to sleep but decided to travel on home, and the grandmother was still there to guide him.  His favorite dog Pal met him to show him the rest of the way, and tearful grandparents were shocked when he walked through the door.  The old people told him he would live a long life being fed by the spirits.

Later Harry was sent to another boarding school far away.  He promised his grandfather he would not run away this time.  It was very hard for Harry at this boarding school; he was put on a journey of trauma, abuse and pain.  A kind nun taught him German and English, and he taught her Lakota.  Harry had a great love of language and vocabulary.  He was a gifted orator and wove a beautiful story.  He often decried “mistranslations” of Lakota as he truly mastered the English language and understood a more proper word. 

The spiritual world weighed heavily on the young man, and he was terrified constantly.  A grandfather agreed to remove all but one of the dreams, and he followed this dream all of his life.  At age 14, he was able to participate in the beautiful Sundance ceremony. 

Eventually, Harry returned to LaPlant and attended the Cheyenne River Boarding School.  He did well in academics and sports.  He enjoyed participated in boxing, football, basketball, and track.  He earned a state high school championship medal in the one mile race.  Harry also received his first experience working with electricity at the CRBS. 

Harry defended the oyate three times during his life.  One of the times was over land and for this, he paid a heavy price.  As a result, he strongly discouraged fighting over land as we are all only caretakers of Unci Maka.

Eventually Harry married Marie Middletent, and their children Brenda, Annelle, Orrie Jr., Cecelia, Vesta, Brent, Sam, and Martin were welcomed into the family.  They made their home mainly in Lower Brule, SD.

Harry loved working as an electrician and was very proud of his South Dakota contractor's license.  He had great mechanical and practical understandings; he enjoyed working on and building anything from large and small electrical motors to repairing everyday items. 

The tapestry of life creates a beautiful weave.  An important part of this story was Orrie and Alcoholics Anonymous and overcoming the addictions of alcohol and tobacco.  He worked with many in recovery and developed skilled insights to work with people in states of dysfunction and healing.  He was also a part of the Native American Rehabilitation Association in Oregon.

As time passed, the spiritual world started tapping on his shoulder again; each of the dreams he received as a young boy returned to him again.  Harry strove to follow what was shown to him and the instructions he received.  He was frequently frustrated with the current state of affairs and would comment often, “We are the success story of organized (corporate) government, organized religion, and organized education.”  He also reminded often, “These ceremonies are not for the convenience and comfort of man.”  If you were hearing these words it was time to look within and discover the reason.

In 1992, Orrie Harry Charger and Cynthia Ferguson were married in Green Grass, SD.  They welcomed Douglas “Rain” to their family in 1994.  Together they lived in Swiftbird, SD; Wahpeton, ND; and Eagle Butte, SD.

As a result of healing for his daughter Cecelia, Harry helped and assisted in many ceremonies and Sundances.  It was time to follow his own dream and so began “The Healing of Mother Earth Ceremony and Sundance” held in July at Charger Camp.

Orrie Harry was blessed with a bounty of loving friends and family.  He was generous and kind and emphasized compassion, respect, responsibility and accountability to all.  He considered himself “a helper”, and there are many people walking on Earth today who received help because of his great compassion.

As a young boy, Orrie was given Chief Charger's boyhood name, Zintkala Ska.  Later he received his name Wa'Anataan, the Charger.  He strove to follow the teachings of the Fool Soldier Band and held high regard for his fellow nations teaching “Wamaka Ska Maka Sinto Mnia Owasin Mintakuye”--All creation large, small, near, far relative to I am.

Feeling great loss with the passing of Orrie Harry Charger to the spirit world are his wife, Cynthia; his children:  Brenda Charger, Orrie Charger, Jr. (Kay), Cecelia Wright (Kevin), Vesta Phytilla (Corey), Brent Charger, Sam Charger, Martin Charger, Rain Charger, Shane Agneaux (Karen), and January Meyer (Corey); his grandchildren:  Isaac Charger (Dawnee), Annelle Becker (Josh), Nolan Charger, Lorelei Charger, Kevin Wright, Jr., Codi Wright, Phillip Wright, Mariah Charger, Michael Charger, Sam Charger, Jr., Rowan Charger, Connor Charger, Isaiah Charger, Florence Charger, Cely Marco, Marcella Marco, and Von Marco; his 12 great grandchildren; his siblings: Melvin Charger, Gary Stranger, Adelle Livingston, Norma Wilson, Leon Charger, Clarice Charger, and Lillia Cajillog; his many beloved cousins; his many other relatives; and all members of the Fool Soldiers.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marcella Holy Bear Charger and Rufus Charger, Sr.; his numerous brothers and sisters; his daughter, Annelle; and his grandson, Kyle Charger.

Luce Funeral Chapel of Eagle Butte has been entrusted with Harry’s arrangements.