Walter Andrew Little Moon was born on September 3, 1942 in a tent to his mother, Rosa Iron Teeth Little Moon and his father James “Joe” Little Moon as the family was harvesting a crop near their home in Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
At the tender age of five he was taken to the U.S. government boarding school in Pine Ridge, ironically called Oglala Community High School for children kindergarten through twelfth grade. It was designed to remove any cultural markers: language, spiritual beliefs, appearance, etc. Over time when other children were hungry, especially on weekends when the staff was gone, he’d slide down through a window into the storage room and hand up apples, vegetables, and for one boy, onions. That behavior was born in him and recognized by the elders who named him Wawokiya Wicasa (Helper).
Over his lifetime he continued to reach out to help the people in his community and in other communities on the reservation. He always hoped to elevate their sense of self-esteem. In 1999 he and Jane began to write down his memories for his children which became published, They Called Me Uncivilized. Eventually that became a documentary film The Thick Dark Fog, which is available on vimeo.com/246164112 Password: PREVIEW. For two decades they traveled around the country speaking about the damage of Indian boarding schools at colleges, universities, high schools, and even two grandchildren’s elementary schools.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents, Rosa and James “Joe” Little Moon, as well as his siblings: Theresa, Gilbert Aloysius, Pauline, Francis Hobart, Wilson, Moses James, Ben George and Grace. He was also preceded in death by his children: Michael, Ann Marie and Patrick. Add to that list countless aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Walter is survived by his life partner of 29 years, Jane Ridgway, his sons: Andrew Dean Little Moon and Francis Walter Littlemoon. Grandchildren: Jeremy Red Cloud, Andrew, Ruben, Princess, Mychal, Shylnn, Jerrid, Prince, Lovetta, Kaitlyn, Patrick I, Presten, Patrick II and Winston.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Ruben, Andrew, Jerrid, Patrick I and II, Jeremy, Prince, Preston and Winston.
Honorary pallbearers are All Friends and Family.
Wake Services: A one night wake service will begin at 2 PM, Monday, June 22, 2026 at the Father Pauly Hall with evening services commencing at 6:00 PM.
Funeral Services: Funeral services will be held the following morning at 11 AM, Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at the Father Pauly Hall in Porcupine, SD
Officiating: Pastor Alex Bad Bear
Burial Services: Immediately following the funeral services with drumming at the Little Moon Family Cemetery in Mouse Creek near Wounded Knee, SD followed by a traditional give away at his home there, as was his wish.
Arrangements entrusted with the Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge.