Phil Baird - Notice of Passing

A member of the  Sinte Gleska University family said:  “We lost a Tribal College Warrior”.  The University announced that its Provost, Phil Baird, had begun his journey to be with our ancestors. Staff shared that they thought of Phil as having taken his last ride, and will be deeply missed by them.

A lifelong educator, Phil focused on helping young people navigate their education and championed tribal land restoration and agriculture including working with bison restoration. Phil understood that our prosperity as tribal people was tied to our ability to stay in relationship with the land. Besides education, Phil worked with cultural diversity, economic development, Tribal gaming, and student leadership. He held administrative positions with Sinte Gleska University in South Dakota and United Tribes Technical College in North Dakota.  

Phil served in national leadership positions, most notably with the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, National Congress of American Indians, National Indian Education Association, North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission, and the South Dakota Indian Education Association.

As a young man, Phil competed as a saddle bronc rider at events throughout the northern Great Plains.  That started him on a lifelong journey as a rodeo historian and advocate.  He produced North Dakota’s Centennial Rodeo event at the 1989 North Dakota State Fair.  In 1990, he was named North Dakota’s Rodeo Man of the Year.  In 1995, he co-founded the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora, served as long-time president, and was inducted in 2016 with the Legacy award.

            Phil always focused on the needs of students. He was often seen talking with students, finding out about their lives, needs and dreams.   He supported everyone he worked with in a gentle and spiritual way. 

            Phil cherished his family and was especially proud of his grandchildren. He valued being a good relative and made friends wherever he went. He showed great dignity as he began his journey toward his final time as a human being. Friends who visited him during his last days shared that Phil offered encouragement and love to them and said “we will meet on the other side.” Toksa Ake, Phil.  See you later, friend.

                                              Arrangements for Phil’s farewell will be posted to the Sinte Gleska University web site.

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