October 20, 1972 — August 11, 2025
Emmet Bruguier, 52, of Eagle Butte passed away on Monday, August 11, 2025, in Eagle Butte.
Funeral services were held August 22, 2025, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Eagle Butte. Burial was in St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cemetery, Cherry Creek.
Emmet Joseph Bruguier Jr. was born on October 20, 1972, in Eagle Butte. He was raised by his grandparents, Dora and Oliver Bruguier, following the passing of his father.
Emmet’s life was rooted in faith and a sense of justice. He found comfort in attending Episcopal Bible camps with his grandmother, a Deacon of the church. He carried a deep belief in the power of prayer and in always striving to do what was right. He graduated from Flandreau Indian Boarding School in 1990 and went on to earn an Associate of Science degree in Political Science from Sisseton Wahpeton College.
Emmet attended Kicking Horse Job Corps, where he earned a Culinary Arts certificate. He later moved to Mandan, ND and worked at Prairie Knights Casino. In the late 1990s, he returned home, serving in the Tribal Loan Office.
During rehabilitation, Emmet learned welding through Votech and worked for ranches across the Cheyenne River Reservation.
Emmet is survived by his children: Cordray (Calandra) White Dog, Oliver (Nathan) Miner, and Emilie Miner; his stepchildren Ashley Miner and Dardi Jefferies; and his niece, Ayanna Maynard. He was proud to be “Grandpa EJ” to his many grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
He is also survived by his sisters: Melody Bruguier, Emilie Bruguier, Tahnee Mestes, Tomi Stands For, Tina Stands For, and Taryn Uses the Knife; his brothers: Wallis Stands For and Tristan Stands For; his aunts: Esterlyn (Bruguier) Medicine Eagle, Hazel Brings Horse, and Mona (Brings Horse) Dunsmore; his uncle, Carlin Brings Horse; and his best friend, Yvonne Deroche.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg was in charge of arrangements.