Edwin Benson was born in 1931 and died on December 9, 2016.
He was an educator and the last known native speaker of the Mandan language.
Benson was born on the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota.
Edwin taught Mandan at Twin Buttes Elementary School and was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of North Dakota in 2009.
Edwin has been involved in efforts to teach the basics of Mandan to youth.
Edwin Benson passed away at 85 years old.