Hundreds Help Honor Henry Sijohn Funeral Includes Music He Arranged

The robust voices of the Gonzaga University Men’s Glee Club echoed from the loudspeakers and over the bouquets, the casket, the tilted lance with its row of eagle feathers.

It was traditional Indian music that Henry SiJohn had arranged for the Catholic school choir nearly 50 years ago. Part chants, part hymns, the songs were unusual and compelling - a lot like SiJohn, whose funeral brought more than 300 people to the DeSmet Community Center on Saturday morning.

“Our prayer for him is a happy journey and his prayer for us is a happy journey together in the place he loved,” said the Rev. Thomas Connolly, who officiated.

SiJohn, who died Tuesday at 81, began and ended his life on the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation. He left to be a warrior, as a member of the Army Air Corps in World War II; to pursue an education, getting degrees from the University of Idaho and Gonzaga; to pursue a long teaching career. He especially enjoyed teaching Indian music, such as the drumming that resonated at Saturday’s service.

He returned in 1982, to lead the charge for medical care, environmental protection and other improvements for his homeland and his people.

Tribal chairman Ernie Stensgar marveled Saturday at barriers SiJohn faced growing up on a poor reservation, where teachers chastised him for speaking his native tongue.

“He was always, by example, showing us what it was to be an Indian. He was proud of his race, proud of his tribe. And he said that often.”

Though he never abandoned native spirituality, SiJohn was a devout Catholic. The large banner that dominated the hall symbolized both the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and the Sacred Heart Mission, with a red heart-on-fire and gold cross emblazoned on the green triangular shape of the reservation.

Those who came to honor SiJohn included members of his large extended family, artists, police officers, scientists, and state and federal officials. There were squirming children in Adidas jackets and nodding elders in blanket-print coats.

It was the second time in four months that the Community Center was filled with people saying farewell to a traditional leader. In October, Lawrence Aripa - who like SiJohn served on the tribal council - was laid to rest.

Henry SiJohn was buried with military honors in the tribal cemetery at DeSmet.