March 7, 1954 – February 23, 2021
Wyman Archambault, 66, of Ft. Yates, ND passed away Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at Sanford Hospital in Bismarck. Services were held Monday, March 1, 2021 at the Aohomni Nakipha Sundance Grounds south of Little Eagle. Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge was in charge of arrangements.
Wyman John Archambault (Hehaka Wankatuya “High Elk”) was born on March 7, 1954 to Lucy (Brown) and Cyril Archambault in Ft. Yates. He was raised in Bullhead and attended school in Bulhead through 5th grade. In 6th grade he attended Str. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain.
Wyman returned to Bullhead and attended school in McIntosh, 7th -10th grade and was active in football and basketball. When he was a junior he transferred to Ft. Yates High School, where he played football and basketball as a junior and senior for the Warriors. He made the “Miracle Shot” that helped the Warriors win the State A Basketball Tournament.
As a junior he met his wife, Charlotte Port, in April 1972 they ran away to Denver, CO, and got married on May 19, 1972.
Wyman played in many bands starting when he was 12 years old. With the “Iron Eagle” band he recorded Big Foot Boogie and Live with my Dreams. The Iron Eagle Band had disbanded and Wyman & Co. started up. His band traveled for many years playing all over North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and Colorado. “40 Days” became their signature song.
Wyman & Co. opened for many country acts that played at Grand River Casino over several years.
Wyman was diagnosed in December 2014 with cancer. He fought a long hard battle.
Wyman is survived by his wife of 49 years, Charlotte, daughters Rebecca Bearstail and Melissa Archambault; sons Russell (Brina) Archambault and Cyril (Crissy) Archambault; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; mother-in-law law, Carol Olson; sisters-in-law Deb Manfort, Sharon (Chuck) Curtiss, Harriet (Jeff) Kellerman, and Audrey (Ed) Boger; and all the children he raised.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Lucy and Cyril Archmabult; siblings Cyril Archambault Jr., Diane Hairy Chin, and Sybil Archambault; hunka parents, Pete and Iomogene Taken Alive; hunka brother, Jay (Cheryl) Taken Alive; and in-laws, Donald and Patricia Port.