The fact that he lived to be 97 is amazing given the health issues that affect many full-blooded Indians,especially alcohol addiction and diabetes.
Not to mention what *I* consider the biggest "Indian killer",namely depression from living on a reservation. No matter who you are or who your ancestors were,depression is a major killer because it is the cause of drug-taking,drinking to excess,overeating unhealthy foods,etc,etc,etc.
People who feel good about themselves and their lives are happy people who take care of themselves. People who are depressed don't take care of themselves. IMHO,it really is as basic as that.