Eli Jeremiah Tail

Eli J. Tail Sr. was born on April 17, 1937 in Porcupine, SD to Jackson Tail and Helen (Young Bear) Tail. He made his journey to the spirit world on October 16, 2023 at Pine Ridge SD.
Eli had a long and full life. At age 17, he enlisted in the US Army Triple A Gun Battalion and served during the Korean war from 1954 through 1956 until the war ended. When he returned, Eli took up bareback riding and became a professional athlete competing for nearly 20 years and winning first or second place in every rodeo he entered.
As a small child he travelled around to rodeos with his parents and performed with them in half time shows and became an accomplished traditional dancer, eventually dancing in tours to powwows around the United States, Canada, and Europe.
He attended and gave speeches in 1998 and 2000 at the UN Working Group on the Declaration of Indigenous Peoples in Geneva, Switzerland. He appealed to the Pope to revoke the Papal bulls which are the basis of the Christian discovery doctrine and was invited to visit the Vatican in 1998. He sat near the Pope with the Cardinals and Arch Bishop at an outdoor service in St. Petersburg Square.
He played piano and guitar and was a singer in a country band as well as singing and dancing in the powwow circuit. He married his wife Carolyn (Pontius) Tail in February 1998, and they began caring for 11 of their grandchildren in 2000. He produced two documentary DVDs – the Warriors' Ride and Through Lakota Eyes, and played the role of Sitting Bull in the National Film Board of Canada film Medicine Line. He served until his death as one of three Naca selected by Porcupine District in 1999. He was a member of AIM and worked on treaty issues for many years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; all of his twelve siblings; his sons, Anthony Tail, Eli Tail Jr., and John Tail; daughter, Janice Tail; and grandchildren, Eli Tail III, Cody Tail, Holly Tail, Molly Tail, Alan Tail, and Cree Tail.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn (Pontius) Tail; daughters, Elizabeth Tail and Donna Tail; son, Waylon Stankiewizs; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Marvin Goings, Donnie Mesteth, Russell Sitting Holy, Duane Brings Plenty, Seivert Young Bear Jr., Nunpa White Plume, Zuya White Plume, David Swallow Jr., Ethan Tail, Lucas Tail, Melvin Eagle Feather Rossman, and Akicita Thunder Hawk.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Cortez, Christer Lundin, Meg King, Will Isham & Staff of First National Bank, Hot Springs VA Hospital & Staff, Indian Health Service Hospital Staff, Evergreen Lutheran Church, Carol Jorgensen & Family, David Swallow & Family, Mel & Pearl Rossman & Family, Karen Red Elk & Family, Gloria No Neck & Family, Soni DuBray & Family, Bonita Andrews & Family, Urna Shepherd & Family, Donnie Mesteth & Family, Leola One Feather & Family, Blossom Johnson & Family, Percy White Plume III, Tedine Pourier & Family, James Sitting Holy Sr. & Family, Liz Tail & Family, Donna Tail & Family, Alvin Iron Cloud & Family, Betty Fast Wolf & Family, Jennifer (Tail) Long, Al Sutton, Matt Hadden, Earl Tail Jr. & Family, Angel Tail, Earlene Tail, Bryan Brewer, Melvin Young Bear & Family, Cedric Young Bear & Family, Sonny Richards, Jumping Eagle Family, Looks Twice Family, Iron Boy Family, Little Boy Family, Phelps Family, Thunder Hawk Family, All Veterans, and All Friends & Relatives.
Wake Services: Two night wake service starting at 3:00 PM, Thursday, October 26, 2023 at the Pahin Sinte Owayawa in Porcupine, SD
Funeral Services: 11:00 AM, Saturday, October 28, 2023 at the Pahin Sinte Owayawa in Porcupine, SD
Officiating: Pastor Al Sutton and Pastor Matt Hadden
Traditional Lakota Services: Mike Little Boy, Sr.
Burial Services: St. Alban's Episcopal Cemetery, Porcupine, SD
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD