Urban Bear Don't Walk

Urban Joseph Bear Don’t Walk walked on Sunday, July 1, 2018, due to long-term complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was born Nov. 9, 1941, to Emma (Crissler) Bear Don’t Walk and Ray Bear Don’t Walk in Crow Agency, Mont. His father was a member of the Apsaalooke Tribe and his mother, of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Tribe. Urban’s Apsaalooke name was “Looks Over His Tobacco,” and he belonged to the Greasy-Mouth Clan.

Urban attended school in Lodge Grass, Mont., and following encouragement from his father, went to Montana State University. At MSU, he met the love of his life, Marjorie Rose Mitchell, a lovely girl from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Together, Urban and Marjorie pioneered the first generation of Native Americans pursuing higher education while dedicating their studies and work to help their people. This is something they did all their lives. They married in Bozeman, Mont., in 1966. Urban and Marjorie have three children, Urban T., Scott and Eldena, and had various dogs, cats and horses at their home.

Following MSU, Urban became the second member of the Crow Tribe to attend law school. He graduated in 1975 from the University of Montana School of Law. He loved the law and his people and used his education to help the Apsaalooke in various ways. In his 40-year law career, Urban founded the Crow Tribal Court, worked many of the most pioneering Indian Law cases and had his own private practice. A humble warrior, he was a trailblazer for Native Americans everywhere and did much for Indian Country.

Urban is preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters. He was the last of his siblings. He is preceded by all the animals in his life that he loved. In the Apsaalooke way, he learned to not harm animals needlessly. He was taught that animals help us, and are our relatives, that help care for our families.

Urban is survived by his wife of 52 years, Marjorie; his three children, Scott (Julie) and granddaughter Marjorie Myrtle, Urban T. and Eldena and grandkids, Mitchell Rose and Zane. His great-grandchildren include Biagada, a Jack Russell terrier, Ava Rose, a black lab and Mashdasheda, and a Welsh pony. He is also survived by Dale and Larry Kindness, Jonny Doyle, Cedric Black Eagle, and all of his cousins, nieces and nephews. And finally, he is survived by all of those people he worked tirelessly for, whether it was your parenting plan, your land ownership, an adoption, or your water rights.

Urban loved the Eagles’ music, non-sequiturs, bubblegum, and being Apsaalooke. Urban leaves a legacy of helping Indian people through his dedication, humility, and deep respect for traditions.

He also leaves behind a lifetime of lessons, love, and laughter, that his family will cherish forever.