James M Clairmont (Wasicu Wasté)
James Clairmont was born on September 17, 1942, and passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 10, 2025. James was born in Rosebud, SD, to David Clairmont and Velma Felix. James attended St Francis Indian Mission School in St Francis, SD, and graduated from there in 1962. While attending St Francis, Jim played varsity basketball where he led his team to many championships. Upon graduating from St Francis Indian Mission School, Jim attended and played basketball for Haskell Indian Jr College in Lawrence, KS, and graduated from there in 1964 with an Associate Degree in Printing Arts.
Jim moved to St Paul MN in 1971 and married Bonnie Deere. Together they have two children, Lakota (Estefania Campos) and April (Dave Russell). Jim was a long-time resident of St. Paul's West Side.
A proud citizen of the Sicangu Lakota Nation (Rosebud Sioux Tribe), James was a lifelong teacher, mentor, and advocate for the preservation of Lakota language, culture, and spirituality. He worked at local schools including Heart of the Earth, Center School, and The City, Inc. He also worked at the Indian Child Welfare Law Center, he worked as a Kinship Worker, facilitating placement of Native children in culturally appropriate homes, attending custody hearings, and supporting ICWA compliance.
Earlier in his career with the Urban League & Chemical Dependency Diversion Project, he served as Employment Specialist, helping individuals with chemical dependency issues find employment and build self-sufficiency. James served as Chairperson of the American Indian Elders Council at the University of Minnesota, where he and other esteemed elders provided support and counsel to U of MN Native students. He served on the American Indian Advisory Council to University Presidents Hasselmo and Yudof for many years and contributed to numerous advisory committees including the Ethyl Currie Scholarship Committee and the Metropolitan Elders Circle. He also provided hospital spiritual care as a lay chaplain volunteer at local hospitals, offering last rites, spiritual support, and comfort to patients and families in need.
As Head Singer of the internationally acclaimed Porcupine Singers, he brought the power of Lakota song and ceremony to audiences across the country, including performances at the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., James also served as an emcee for powwows across the U.S. and Canada, one of his favorites was Brockton, MT, where he was the MC for 19 consecutive years. Throughout those years, Jim made relatives across Indian Country, he honored those relationships with respect and generosity and reflected his understanding of what it means to live by traditional values.
As a private consultant since 2004, James provided technical assistance and national training on topics such as traditional healing, boarding school historic trauma, and the roles of spiritual leaders. He consulted with many organizations including the American Indian Learning & Resource Center, American Indian Cultural Center, Woodlands Wisdom Confederation, Alliance of First Nations Graduate & Professional Students, and the American Indian Composer Forum. His work was instrumental in the development of the DVD Listen to the Grandmothers, a resource addressing violence against Native women and the importance of cultural tradition in healing. He provided spiritual guidance at national gatherings including Office for Victims of Crime Indian Nations Conferences (2006, 2008, 2010), where he led traditional ceremonies including chair memorials and wiping of tears for victims of crime and their families.
Jim was preceded in death by his father David, his mother Velma, his sister Marilyn Steed.  He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Bonnie, his two children Lakota and April, grandchildren, Annessa, Emmalee, Taylor, Skyler, Dayven, and 11 great grandchildren, Brushbreaker nieces and nephews and many hunka (adopted) children and families.
A wake was held at the Minneapolis American Indian Center, Minneapolis MN. Jim was taken to Fairchild, WI, for funeral services and interment at the Fairchild, WI, cemetery at Jim's request. Funeral services were officiated by Jim's great grandson, Dashell Thunder. Pall bearers were: The Boyz, his sons, his nephews and grandsons.
Jim referred to himself as James Clairmont, C.O.M. When asked what the letters stood for, he would respond "Common Ordinary Man."