Parrish Williams was born on December 26, 1911, in Bressie, Oklahoma to James P. Williams and Gambler Little-snake Williams. He passed away on October 4, 2009.
Parrish attended school at Ponca Government School, Pawnee Government School, Rein school and he graduated from Chilocco Indian School in 1932. He attended Northern Oklahoma College and graduated from Okmulgee State Tech in 1964. He had been an active member of The Native American Church since 1935 and was considered to be a spiritual leader in the community.
He became involved in the Standing Bear project early on and did the blessing for not only the original groundbreaking but others throughout the years of project development. He was present at the dedication of the Standing Bear Museum and blessed the building before it was opened to the public. He was a wonderful friend to the project, providing spiritual guidance and education.
Parrish attended school at Ponca Government School, Pawnee Government School, Rein school and he graduated from Chilocco Indian School in 1932. He attended Northern Oklahoma College and graduated from Okmulgee State Tech in 1964. He had been an active member of The Native American Church since 1935 and was considered to be a spiritual leader in the community.
He became involved in the Standing Bear project early on and did the blessing for not only the original groundbreaking but others throughout the years of project development. He was present at the dedication of the Standing Bear Museum and blessed the building before it was opened to the public. He was a wonderful friend to the project, providing spiritual guidance and education.
The Story of Chief Standing Bear as told by Ponca Tribal Elder Parrish Williams to 7th grade student Nathan Jamison on December 27, 2005.