Brigman Roger Cornelius, my friend, friend of the blog, has died. Cancer got him after a rich and interesting life of speaking out and working to make people and communities whole.
Roger was an avid, thoughtful, and responsibly provocative commenter on this blog. A son of the Oneida and Lakota tribes, Roger introduced me to his kin Rosemarie and Pinky, who welcomed me in 2014 on my first visit to Manderson with good pie and great conversation about economic development on Pine Ridge. In 2015, he provided a direct and hopeful assessment of race relations in his town, Rapid City, often a tough place to be anything other than white.
As Roger’s people say, he entered the Spirit World on Monday, January 27. The family will hold a private burial at the Cornelius Family Cemetery at Red Bear Butte.
A friend provides this more detailed obituary.
Brigman Roger Cornelius, social activist, health care advocate, and proud inmate of Facebook jail, was born in Wagner, South Dakota, on December 23, 1949, to John Lionel Cornelius, Sr. and Bessie Trimble Cornelius. He was the youngest child, joining siblings Lucille, Shirley, Rosemarie, Judi and John, Jr. His maternal grandparents were Guy Trimble and Lucy Randall Trimble, and his paternal grandparents were Brigman Cornelius and Elizabeth Skanandore Cornelius. Roger was a member of the Oglala Lakota and Oneida Nations. Roger began his Spirit Journey on January 27, 2020 at Monument Hospice in Rapid City, SD, after a battle with lung cancer.
Roger was named for his paternal grandfather Brigman and for Father Roger, who was at the Blue Cloud Abbey when his mother made the abbey’s alter clothes and vestments.
He is survived by Elizabeth Cornelius; his sisters, Rosemarie Dillingham, Rapid City, SD, and Judi Cornelius, Albuquerque, NM, and his beloved kitty, abbinormal. He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Lucille, Shirley, Christine and John.
He was a tireless and strong advocate for social justice and economic equality – a passion that landed him in Facebook jail on occasion for calling out greed and intolerance, a badge worn with great honor. Roger work history was almost entirely in public advocacy or social development work. Roger was raised on Oglala Lakota reservation and graduated from Red Cloud Indian School in 1968 and immediately joined LaDonna Harris’ Project Peace Pipe, a part of Peace Corps. He trained in Puerto Rico, immersing in cultural structure and Spanish language. Ultimately, he was unable to accept an overseas assignment due to health issues. He continued to work with Ms. Harris in Oklahomans for Indian Opportunity, before accepting a leadership position with the Omaha Indian Center. He returned to Pine Ridge, where he worked with various programs, including the Foster Grandparents’ Program. For a number of years he managed Cornelius Enterprises, consisting of a food service, catering business and the Lakota Studios.
In later years, Roger lived and work in the northern Black Hills and Rapid City, serving as a substance abuse counselor at New Dawn; as a work force coordinator; and serving on a number of health care boards and organizations, notably Community Health Center of the Black Hills, following his passionate belief that all persons are entitled to accessible mental and physical health care.
Roger was a life-long Green Bay Packer fan – a legacy of his father, born in West DePere, WI, and proud Oneida. He also loved M*A*S*H A and political comedy. He was a voracious reader of political non-fiction and followed every minute of the Watergate and Nixon Impeachment hearings. One of his last acts was following the current Impeachment proceedings, with a suggestion that someone make the Atticus speech.
Roger will be cremated and a private service will be held at a later date.
Deepest condolences to Roger’s family. Debbo and I had suspected his condition took a sad turn as we hadn’t heard from him in quite sometime. His voice will most assuredly be missed. It was always a learning experience for myself to engage in conversations with Roger. Whatever the Indian words for rest in peace, I hope he finds them.
So very sorry. I have been missing him, and he will be missed here.
How sad. I talked to Roger many times over Facebook and here as well. My biggest regret is not meeting him in person. To say he’ll be missed is an understatement. Sad day
Roger was a very good man and we are richer for having known him. He made everyone he knew better.
Rest in Peace Roger, thanks for the conversations we had, you were always spot on.
Mr. C was one swell fellow. He will be missed immensely.
Oh Roger. 😥😥 Such a kind and good man is a rare find.
He possessed a dignity that was immediately apparent in his speech, carriage, manner and, especially, the kindness in his eyes. Roger was the definition of a “gentleman,” and the first person I’d want on my side in any kind of fight.
I’m glad Roger’s fight is over because he’s been very sick for some time. However, the world is a much poorer place without him and I feel very sad.
As Mike said, Roger’s death is not a surprise, but oh, what a loss for all of us.
My deepest condolences to his family and all who loved him too. Thank you for sharing him with us lucky people. 😢😢😢😭
Tears in my eyes. Can’t read the comments. I need a break …
I am sure Roger appreciates the farewell from the coward grudznick.
I only knew him a little, but he was a damn good guy!
Roger was honest it was difficult to reconcile his Native American identity and the anger he felt toward white people, compounded by the love he felt for his anglo grandparents. His given name which sounds excessively white must have been a difficult reminder of two seemingly very different ways of being. Over time, however, he made considerable peace between the two.
So sad to see this. I learned much from Roger’s comments. He added so much to the discussions. He will be missed.
HC, don’t make statements about Roger when you don’t know what you’re talking about. Just offer condolences, then shut the f*** up.
That is a classically gratuitous shot “happy”. Roger was far too classy to have written anything similar about you. Nice work dragging this thread down to your level.
Hello everyone.
Roger is my uncle, my mother Shirley’s youngest brother and we appreciate all the kind comments.
If anyone has any negative comments about the deceased or chooses to grind their moronic ax on a tribute to my uncle, well, I think their class is on display and no further response is required.
Again, I had no idea about some of these connections and appreciate the commentary.
Happy Camper needs to learn to STFU.
¡Vaya con Dios Roger, vaya con Dios mi amigo!
Sorry to see this news. Roger’s commentary was always thoughtful and provocative. RIP.
Roger did not strike me as an angry man. He had plenty to be angry about, and he condemned racism and injustice with passion. But in the couple times I interacted with him face to face (and we should be careful about judging personalities solely on online textual evidence, because as much as our online selves are real parts of us, they are not our entire selves), I did not get the impression that I was speaking with a man who was defined by anger or hatred toward anyone. Far from it: Roger was as eager to connect meaningfully and instructively with people in person as he was here in the comment section.
Welcome Dani … Your spirit would be a benefit to this group. Please, join us often.
I didn’t know Roger except through his posts here and elsewhere. I respected his wisdom. He was a year older than I. I suspect if I had stayed in Rapid City, we would have crossed paths and become more than electron acquaintances.
His obit interests me. I remember the work of the LaDonna Harris, who was a force for good in Oklahoma and the nation. That Roger worked in her programs was stunning. We all could have benefited from hearing Roger’s experience with that program. I like that he had lots of changes in direction in his life, but he always kept working for and making the world bend toward justice.
Thanks to his family for sharing Roger with us. I’m sorry for your loss.
I second porter’s idea. It would be a truly good experience having another poster with vast knowledge of South Dakota and America’s Native populations and cultures. Good stuff you can’t learn from textbooks. Please consider the invitation. Pretty please.
I am Roger’s sister, and with his family, I wrote his obituary which is how we want him remembered.
He did not hate White people or any race or ethnicity. Our parents taught us to fight racist and intolerance regardless of its roots and Roger did that. Happycamper is smoking his shoes and fruit of the looms if he thinks Roger was filled with self loathing.
Brigman is an ancestral Oneida name. Roger is from a White priest who was our mother’s friend.
Now, happymess, please remove your comments.
Welcome, Ms Cornelius. I never got to meet Roger, but he was always genuine and humble in our conversations. We will sorely miss his voice and vision. Thank you for sharing.
Ms. Cornelius, I’m very sorry the inaptly named “Happy” tried, unsuccessfully, to sully your brother’s sterling reputation. I am greatly honored that I got to meet Roger and spend an evening learning from him.
I do my best to share your grief and honor your loss.
Ms. McQuillen, your words about “Happy’s” comment truly illustrates the smallness of his mind and heart. He has revealed his true self and it is shameful.
Roger’s true self was always clear and honorable. I am a very lucky woman for having an opportunity to know him in person, via emails and here on DFP. The world is a poorer place without him.
Ms. Cornelius, the “Pinky” in the obit must be Pinky Clifford, correct? Is she still running and owning the store in Manderson? And taking care of the entire community? What a remarkable and honorable woman.
Mine is a richer life for having had the good fortune to meet and befriend Roger, and I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to pray with Roger and Rosemarie before he entered the Spirit World. A true gentleman, I will miss him and his thoughtful commentary and counsel.
Gee, folks on the rez have “white” names. Who would have thought. Only grdz and happy are the jerks here, consistently. Republicans demonstrate over and over, at every and ANY opportunity here, the lack of good conscience and ethics.
Kindest thoughts to your family Roger. Thank you for your always upright comments here. I was lucky enough to have met you too at a February Pennington Democrats function.
I loved Mr. C, Ms. leslie, so please reign in your hating on me today.
Dani, Dennis, Judi, thank you for checking in. We grieve with you. We miss Roger’s voice in our conversations.
His words and compassion helped to make this blog a success. Now, all of our words must be even more committed to a compassion, which honors his legacy as one who cared and fought for what he believed in, so that all of us could not only have a voice, but also a practicing freedom and venue to express it in.
Well put, John. We can continue to learn from Roger’s example keep his memory alive in our actions.
Marty Two Bulls, Oglala Lakota cartoonist from the Pine Ridge, has a new one out. This one is about weed.
is.gd/eZdL9V
I always shared them with Roger.
Yes Deb is right an apology to Roger’s family is in order. It didn’t enter my mind they were reading the blog. I wouldn’t have said something to trouble them, but now I have to explain it’s probably the most important thing he shared which I did not see as negative but a moment of honesty. He was referring to his youth and expressed very strong opinions on the formation of identity which was and is relevant to an issue being discussed here. His opinion has validity but I will avoid making a direct reference to him on that topic now that I am aware I caused a painful reaction. I’m sorry for having made an upsetting statement.
Well said and thought out on your part, Happy Camper. Now, don’t you feel better? lol
Good on you, Happy Camper. Well played.
Roger, my friend, a senator did make as close to the Atticus Finch speech as possible. Senator Doug Jones from the southern state of Alabama, stood as tall as you could hope for.
“Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL), whose vote was also closely watched, told reporters that what he believed would be most remembered was the trial’s lack of witnesses, rather than the bipartisan conviction.
“Judge Taylor in ‘To Kill a A Mockingbird’ said, you know people hear what they want to hear, they see what they want to see,” Jones said. “I think people can read into what they want to.” Well said Senator Jones, well said
In honor of Roger Cornelius:
Marty Two Bulls comic for 2/6/2020
is.gd/BhR61Q
HC, good on ya for the apology.
Good one, Marty 2Bulls. Putin as Spock is perfect.
Porter, I think Steve Miller is the Spock character and Putin is maybe Checkov? sitting to Trump’s bottom right-hand side (our left as we look at the drawing).
I see.
Roger would have approved. 😎 He went too soon.
I can see Roger’s smile in my mind’s eye right now!
I’m torn wondering if it is better for Roger not to be exposed to this rape of indigenous land and sacred burial ground or wishing he was here to lead the protest and show us the way.
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/2/8/21129456/trump-border-wall-sacred-hill-burial-ground-organ-pipe-arizona
I can see how Roger could have been worn down fighting injustice and racists all the years of his life. I would love to believe his spirit soared to do battle with and try to change stubborn racist minds.
Roger, I can only hope you are at peace with yourself. I am afraid wingnuts would not allow you to ever live in harmony among them.
Mfi, thx for the Organ Pipe Cactus link. I’m horrified to imagine what that pristine wilderness border is starting to look like, lit up, walled, Trumpified. Ugh. The damage this boundary-less guy/GOP can do the rest of 2020 is unfathomable.
One winter afternoon years ago “goin south”, after barney fife made a traffic stop in Ajo or Why, AZ for one of two burned out license plate bulbs, i set up a camp chair to read over late lunch within the OPC Monument. Diverse desert flora and unobstructed view for miles in every direction. Truly god’s country. As stars appeared, military maneuvers far to the west on Goldwater proving grounds sparked parachuted flares, chopper lights or Warthogs shoot up the make-believe Russian invasion.
Very late, awakened by dark green uniforms with m16s, i queried “way out here in the middle of nowhere?” Earnest young border patrol whispered “oh yeah, drugs” disappearing just as quietly.
Glad i got to experience it before Republican paranoia queered the West.
“… seasoned park rangers told me that a wall through Organ Pipe would never happen. The national monument is 96% designated wilderness — the highest degree of protection Congress can bestow upon federal land.” https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/2019/11/18/trump-border-wall-destroying-fragile-organ-pipe-national-park/40620881/
Tohono O’odham people are standing up to Trumps wall as mfi’s link reports. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tohono_Oʼodham
Thank you for the links, Leslie. Love to see pipe organ cactus someday, hopefully not in a museum of extinct stuff.
More reasons for Roger to hold his head high….https://slate.com/culture/2020/02/taika-waititi-2020-oscars-native-land-acknowledgment.html
Roger is my cousin. Our Mothers were sisters. If you all really got to know Rog, he was soft spoken. I never seen or heard him raise his voice. He knew how to handle conflict in the calmest way possible. He always remained calm. But like all of us, he would only get loud if he was really really angry about something some Idiot said or did. Lol. I loved my cousin and will miss him very much.
Hi, Bunny – So nice of you to share your memories with the group. Sometimes when I’d get upset to the point of exasperation, your cousin would step in and attempt to calm me down because he believed that calm is the way God prefers us to be. It almost always worked and sometimes when I’d get perturbed at something some idiot said here, I’d think of how Roger wanted me to act and change my mind about saying something that would hurt.
Porter
Bunny, I was honored to know your cousin. I always shared Marty Two Bulls’ cartoons with Roger, so it seems like a good way to remember him.
(I’m the woman in the photo with him.)
Was at Chuck Trimble’s funeral yesterday in Omaha, and Pinky Clifford told me Roger had passed. My heart sank … Roger and I worked together in the 70s in Omaha … Indian Y.O.U.T.H. (Youth of Omaha United Tribal House). We did everything together then, and stayed connected from time-to-time over the years. He was such an honorable and smart man, always fought the good fight, had a big smile, and a hearty laugh. He was a great guy … RIP my friend.
Thanks for this.
I was wondering how Pinky is doing. Met her in the 90s. Remarkable woman. Is she still running the store and helping everyone?
HC my brother, Roger, and I had one Anglo grandparent, Guy Trimble, who was married to another Native before Grandma Lucy. His first wife passed away and he subsequently married Grandma Lucy. My Mom, was named after his first wife. He brought two wonderful families together. Why would he hate white people? Me thinks though protest too much..
I copied and sent this article to Debbo who quit commenting here quite awhile back. She and I converse weekly if not daily. She really misses Rogerm as do many nof us.
Good job, onions.
Ms. Geelsdottir reads these bloggings daily. Hi Ms. Geelsdottir.
grudznick, too, misses our common close personal friend, Mr. C.