Helen Jean (Charwood) (Bryan) Johnson

Helen Jean (Charwood) Bryan Johnson February 4, 1940 - April 5, 2022

Helen Jean (Charwood) Bryan Johnson, age 82, of Squaw Lake, MN died on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. She was born in Max Township and she resided in Squaw Lake her whole life.

Helen will be forever be missed and remembered by her children Russell (Margaret) Bryan Jr., Janice Bryan, Larry Bryan, Linda Bryan, Mason Bryan, 17 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild, also, by her 3 cats. Helen was preceded in death by; Husbands Russell Bryan, Robert Johnson, Father Walter Charwood, Mother Josephine Charwood, Brothers Max Charwood, Phillip Charwood, Walter Charwood, Sisters Gloria Michaud, Shirley Bebeau, Sons Douglas Bryan Sr., Darwin Bryan, Grandsons Ryan Miettinen, Russell Bryan III, Keith Rogers, and Granddaughter Jeanine White.

Helen was a head start teacher for 18 years in Squaw Lake. Helen enjoyed going to bingo, and going to the casino to play slots. She enjoyed attending pow-wows. Helen served on the S. Lake Local Indian Council member, and also was on the pow-wow committee. In her spare time she made quilts and braided rugs. She enjoyed gardening. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Helen and Russell Bryan Sr. paved the way for Indian Gaming with their Supreme Court case Bryan V. Itasca County. The decision recognized Tribal Nations have civil-regulatory jurisdiction on their Tribal Lands. This case was used as precedence for the later Supreme Court case, Cabazon, which ultimately led to Indian Gaming.

A wake will begin at Sunday, April 10, 2022 at 4:00 PM at Squaw Lake Fire Hall. Services will follow on Monday, April 11, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Squaw Lake Fire Hall.

Naabek Liberty will serve as Spiritual Leader.

Arrangements will be provided by Carroll Funeral Home in Deer River, MN

Pallbearers caring for Helen will be Corey Miettinen, Jordan Miettinen, DeAndre Bryan, Doug Bryan Jr., Zachary Anderson, Jaydyn Johnson. The alternate pallbearers are Bezhiganakwad Hardy, and Christopher Bryan. Honorary pallbearers are Ernie Stevens, Janet Kern, Joyce Laporte, Sheila Schuman, Pam Bowstring, David Treuer, Paul Lindom, Tana Morgan-Robinson, Nancy Washington, Archie LaRose, and Darrell Kingbird.

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