Who then was this Indian? Chief White Feather (1905 – 1980) was the grandson of Sitting Bull by his fourth wife. Remarkably, his mother was a Christian and taught him about the Lord when he was small. However, the results came years later. At one time, his father travelled with a circus with his children. Somewhere in their travels, contacts were made that resulted in the Chief receiving musical training. He had a wonderful baritone voice and became a professional operatic singer.
Though his professional life was going well, his personal life was full of grief. Two sons were killed in an auto accident and his marriage was failing. He tried to commit suicide by jumping off a moving commuter train in New York City. Severely injured, including a broken back, he was taken to hospital. He was semi-conscious while the emergency room doctor worked on him. The doctor spoke of things his mother had taught him as a child—God loved him, Jesus died for his sins. His mind was foggy and he couldn’t respond to the doctor, but it all came back to him as he lay in the hospital bed. He said yes to his Saviour in that hospital room. God miraculously healed his wounds completely, even the broken back.
He subsequently sought Christian counsel and entered Bible college. After that, he began an evangelistic ministry throughout the U.S. and overseas, using his wonderful voice to praise the Lord. He used music from famous operatic arias to present the Gospel. An accomplished organist, he often accompanied himself as he sang.
The following letter came to me from Gail Blanchard Stinton, “DroopingFeather” in 2008 –
I knew him [White Feather] personally, he was from the Pine Ridge Reservation, a Christian Missionary in later years, as when I met him. His name was Tyet Ramar.I was told he had passed away in the mid 60’s. He told me of his theatrical life in New York. His wife was a white woman & left him when he became an active Christian. I know the info I have is correct as he told me himself & wrote to me for many years. Among his things should be letters I wrote to him, my name then was Gail Dokken. I have been trying to locate his descendants as I thought he had one son who served in Korea. I am an Ojibwe (Chippewa) Indian from the White Earth Res. in Minnesota. I am in Oregon now. Sincerely, Gail
