L. Jace Killsback, Northern Cheyenne leader makes Last Journey

LAME DEER, Mont. – Once again the Northern Cheyenne are grieving the loss of a stellar tribal leader. L. Jace Killsback (Screeching Eagle) started his journey to the Last or Next Camp on Sunday, January 18, 2026, after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 46 years old.

Sadly, two of his teenaged sons were suited up to play in the annual basketball battle between St. Labre and Lame Deer when they received the word. Yet, as he had encouraged them, they played. They played for him. During the game, Killsback was acknowledged.

Killsback was an extremely successful tribal politician for many years, serving many years on the Tribal Council, a prominent leader amongst that group and in 2014, on his third attempt, was elected Tribal President.

Many Cheyenne likened him to another great Northern Cheyenne leader – Little Wolf. That is because Jace was a man of the people who had a vision. He was a Nation Builder, the one who moved the tribal government and people to see themselves as more than an impoverished Indian Tribe. He convinced the Northern Cheyenne that they are a Nation, a term of identity that has been formally adopted by the Tribal government.

As current Tribal President Gene Small stated: “Cheyenne way, no one walks a perfect path. What matters most is how a person lived, stood by their people and carried their name, family and Nation forward in this difficult time. All he asked is that the Tribal flag be lowered to half-mast in his memory and we will do that in his honor.”

Raised by his single mother, Jackie Killsback Tang, a Cheyenne language teacher, she stressed academics, also a fundamental Chinese value. In addition to Jace, Tribal President, she produced. Dion, lawyer, author and college instructor, and Damion, a pharmacist and two daughters, Zhona and Zena. The Tang-Killsback brothers, following their mother’s example, all spoke Cheyenne and followed traditional ways. The Killsback boys were a force unto themselves.

Jace attended area schools, Tribal, St. Labre and Colstrip Public Schools, an excellent scholar and award-winning athlete. Later, he attended U.C. Berkeley on a scholarship earning a degree in Native American Studies and later an MS in Public Health Administration from University of Montana. Returning home, wore many hats: basketball coach for Busby and Lame Deer; Tribal Economic Planner and Director of Housing. In the tribal political arena, one of the youngest to be elected to the Tribal Council for many consecutive terms, representing the Busby or White River Cheyenne district. In that capacity he authored and ushered in many innovative tribal laws. He also served as Director of the Tribal Health Board, the largest tribal program.

Jace’s secret to political success was being a man for the people. For example, there was little organized recreation for youth in the small Busby village. Jace prevailed on the Tribal School to let him open the gym several nights a week for basketball, volleyball, boxing and even track practice, personally supervising and playing ball. That endeared him to the young people, both in Busby and across the Reservation. They could always talk to him. More importantly he could hear them and took the time to do it.

Jace literally had an open door. Any tribal member could seek his counsel or assistance and he personally aided many with matters which may seem small in the overall context of tribal government, but huge to those individuals. For example, when he was Tribal President, he spent Sundays visiting Northern Cheyenne patients at Billings Hospitals, dipping into personal pocket to assist people in those circumstances. He was also known to personally retrieve people who had wound up on the street, bring them home and encourage them.

As an outspoken person, very confident in his views, Killsback invited some controversy, as do all politicians. Yet, even his detractors acknowledged his intelligence, education and ability to get things done in the murky arena of tribal politics.

A traditional man to the core, he was also very active in cultural activities, principally the annual White River Celebration to honor the Girl who saved her brother, Iron Teeth, the heroine of the Battle of the Rosebud. Jace was a traditional dancer and a powwow announcer — and in the latter role, he was especially entertaining. Today, all five of his children are accomplished dancers, drummers, singers, powwow royalty, and athletes — each wearing the signature Killsback long braids. He and his wife made sure of that.

While on the Tribal Council, Killsback was often dispatched to represent the Tribe, traveling to Washington, D.C.; meeting with inter tribal groups and Federal agencies. He was an excellent representative – articulate, well-educated with a firm grasp of the issues, very handsome and charismatic. He served on the National Indian Health Board, a champion of Indian health and the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council, for example. He was frequently called upon as a keynote speaker at many conferences and tribal gatherings.

On the Council, Jace was a formidable force, often spokesperson for that body. Finally, on his third try, Killsback was elected Tribal President, only to find the same hubris as Little Wolf. It seems fundamental that under the present IRA system, the Council (Legislative branch) butts heads with the Tribal President (Executive branch) to determine who runs the show. Like Littlewolf, Killsback, one of the best and brightest met his hubris as a tribal President, as do many who gain that office. Finally, he resigned, admitting to indiscretion; was convicted and spent a brief time in prison.

Chastened and humbled, Jace returned to the Busby community, candid about his mistakes while quickly working on amends. He returned to the field of education, employed by the Hardin Schools, and resumed a leadership role in the Busby district, while eschewing elective office. During that time, his mother, family, and many supporters continued to stand by him.

A traditional wake was held at White River on January 21 and final services were conducted at the Tribal School gym in Busby on January 22, attended by hundreds, where Jace spent so much time with young people. Internment was at the humble Busby cemetery, located near his home in Busby. Many wore white, the Chinese color of mourning. He leaves behind: his wife Emily, five children, relatives and friends too numerous to list herein.

As Tracy Robinson, a tribal council colleague and good friend remarked, “The likes of Jace will not soon be seen again among the Northern Cheyenne.”

Faith Tallwhiteman was one of many Cheyenne to comment about Jace on Facebook, writing “He was a warrior, husband, father, and traditional man.”

Good journey Screeching Eagle. As the Cheyenne say “We will see you again. Wait for us.”

(Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennereview@gmail.com)

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