Obituary: Alyce Spotted Bear
The former Three Affiliated Tribes chairwoman also led Native American Studies and Tribal Relations at Fort Berthold Community College
Alyce Spotted Bear, educator, cultural historian, and former chairwoman of the Three Affiliated Tribes, died Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, at her sister’s home in Bismarck following a brief battle with liver cancer. She was 67.
Given the Nueta name "Numakshi Mihe," which translates to "Lead Woman," Spotted Bear dedicated her life to public service, education, and the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara people. At the time of her death, she served as vice president of Native American Studies and Tribal Relations at Fort Berthold Community College in New Town, a department she created.
She also held a national role as an adviser on Indian education, having been appointed by President Barack Obama to the National Advisory Council on Indian Education. In this capacity, she worked alongside corporate, educational, and tribal leaders representing tribes across the United States.
Born Dec. 17, 1945, in the historic community of Elbowoods on the Fort Berthold Reservation, she was the daughter of Olive Spotted Bear Benson and Lorenzo "Larry" Spotted Bear. She was one of 13 children.
Spotted Bear earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Dickinson State College and a master’s in education from Pennsylvania State College. She also completed coursework for a doctorate at Cornell University and served as visiting faculty for Dartmouth College's Native American Studies Program. Over her career, she worked at every level of education, serving as a teacher, principal, school superintendent, and bilingual program director.
From November 1982 to March 1987, she served as chairwoman of the Three Affiliated Tribes. During her tenure, she helped establish the groundwork for the landmark Joint Tribal Advisory Committee (JTAC). The resulting Economic Recovery Fund brought hundreds of millions of dollars to Missouri River tribes for education, economic development, and social welfare.
She is survived by her son, Travis Hallam; her daughter-in-law, Crystal; three grandchildren; and numerous brothers, sisters, and adopted siblings. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, and her life partner, George "Rusty" Foote III.
A wake was held Sunday, Aug. 18, 2013, followed by a funeral service on Monday, Aug. 19, 2013, at the Twin Buttes School. Burial was in the Spotted Bear Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Bismarck Funeral Home.
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