In the early 1990s, Joseph and his sister clashed with Jim and Lyle Parker over the Parker's cattle grazing closer and closer to the Reservation. They later filed a lawsuit against Parker. Like several other members of his family, Goodensnake was able to change himself into a man-like wolf, a manitou. He was killed by Jim Parker in 1994, but not until after he attacked Lyle, passing the manitou curse onto him. Although Goodensnake had changed back to his human form after being killed, his teeth remained sharp. His body was later burnt, as per Trego tradition.