M. Saginaw Grant

M. Saginaw Grant, ‘Wapime’ (grey fish), walked on to the spirit world on Wednesday, July 28, 2021. A long-time resident of Los Angeles, Saginaw passed away from natural causes in North Hollywood, California. Born July 20, 1936 in Pawnee, Oklahoma to Sarah Murray Grant and Austin Grant, Sr., Saginaw was the oldest of four children. He attended Pawnee Indian School before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1953 at the age of 17. He proudly served his country for three years until 1956. Best known as an actor in film and television, Saginaw’s talents were far-reaching. His occupations were as varied as his talents. He worked as a dry-cleaner and went on to become an author, public speaker, spiritual leader, and using the public recognition gained from his work as an actor, he became an ambassador for many causes which were important to him. His film and television credits found him working with some of the biggest names in the acting world, on movies and shows like THE LONE RANGER, BREAKING BAD, THE WORLD’S FASTEST INDIAN, AMERICAN HORROR STORY, SHAMELESS, THE RIDICULOUS 6, VEEP, WINTER IN THE BLOOD, COMMUNITY, MY NAME IS EARL, SAVING GRACE and HARTS OF THE WEST. His long career brought him various awards and accolades. As hereditary chief of the Sac and Fox Nation, Saginaw was a respected elder who was very active in the Native American community. His love of dancing took him around the pow wow circuit where he was known for his gourd dancing, grass dancing and Southern straight dancing. Saginaw is survived by his brothers, Francis Grant, Sr. of Cushing, Oklahoma, Austin Grant, Jr. and his wife Vera of Cushing, Oklahoma, daughter Lisa Grant and her wife Ann of Duncan, Oklahoma, daughter-in-law Dodie Kent of Van Nuys, California, grandchildren Della Grant, Cassandra Kent and Vanessa Kent, great-grandchildren Joseph Grant Soutter, Sherry Jo Soutter, Stephen Soutter and Micah Littlecrow, adopted daughter Mariana Tosca of Los Angeles, CA, publicist Lani Carmichael of Los Angeles, California, and adopted family Rick, Heather and Chayton Mora of Scottsdale, Arizona. Saginaw was preceded in death by his mother and father, Sarah and Austin, son Robert Benjamin Kent, sister Stella Wilson, and nephews Jeffrey Wilson and J. Paul Wilson. A memorial service is being arranged in Los Angeles through Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills. Pallbearers are Joseph Grant Soutter, Cody Martinez, Sam Bearpaw, David Patterson, Eddie Carvajal, Jimmy Lee Young, Anaquad Cobe and Eshpaa Leo-Saavedra. Traditional tribal services will be held at the Sac and Fox Nation Community Center in Stroud, Oklahoma, under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service. His burial and final resting place will be at the Sac and Fox Tribal Cemetery in Stroud, Oklahoma. Condolences may be offered online at www.ForestLawn.com and www.ParksBrothers.net.