John Louis Clarke

John Louis Clarke ("Cutapuis"; May 10, 1881 – November 20, 1970) was a Blackfeet artist and woodcarver from East Glacier, Montana who was deaf and mute, he was noted for his wildlife carvings related to Glacier National Park. His Blackfoot name was "Cutapuis" (The Man Who Talks Not).

Early life John Louis Clarke was born in Highwood, Montana on May 10, 1881, to Horace J. Clarke and Margaret First Kill (daughter of Chief Stands Alone). Both of his parents were Blackfoot,

At the age of two, scarlet fever left John deaf during an outbreak that killed four of his brothers. Because of his condition, he was given the Blackfoot name of "Cutapuis" or "Man Who Talks Not" at an early age. the St. John's School for the Deaf in St. Francis, Wisconsin; and Fort Shaw Indian Boarding School in Fort Shaw, Montana. Although he learned wood carving in school, he never received any formal art education.

In 1888, while John was at school, the Clarke family moved to Midvale, Montana, which later became known as East Glacier Park Village. John's father Horace became a prominent Blackfoot tribal leader and was instrumental in the treaty and land sale that ceded Blackfoot lands to the United States federal government for the new national park. In 1918, he married Mary "Mamie" Simon, and together they adopted one daughter. His wife acted as a business partner and helped with sales.

One of Clarke's sculptures was owned by Warren G. Harding and was displayed in the White House. In 1924, John D. Rockefeller purchased 4 of Clarke's sculptures. In 1940, Clarke was commissioned to create a pair of relief panels. When they were completed they each weighed more than a ton, today the two panels adorn the Blackfeet Hospital lobby.