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©2008 Stone Child College
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission fi-om the
publisher.
Stone Child College
R.R. 1 Bo.x 1082
Box Elder, MT. 59521
406-395-4313
stonechild.edu
Editing
Ed Stamper, Rocky Boy. MT
Helen Windy Boy. Rocky Boy MT
Ken Morsette Jr.. Rocky Boy MT
Graphic design and layout
Stone Child College Print Shop,
Rocky Boy. MT (406)395-4787
Thumbnail Illustrations for each
Chapter and contents page
Stone Child College Print Shop,
Rocky Boy, MT (406)395-4787
Front/Back/Sleevc Design
Stone Child College Print Shop.
Rocky Boy. MT (406)395-4787
Initial Printing
Stone Child College Print Shop,
Roch- Boy. MT (406)395-4787
Photo Credits
Daiyl Wright I Rocky Boy MT
Ted Wlntford Rocky Boy MT
Montana State University Northern
Indian People of the Norlliern Great Piains-
liltp./Avww. lib. nionlaiia edu digital' nadh/index. html
Dianne Bynum
Photo Archives- l\ ashingloii. DC
Rocky Boy Records 1907 - 1939
Ken Morsette Jr. . Rocky, Boy. MT
Dr. Nate St. Pierre. Rocky Boy. MT
Roger St. Pierre Sr.. Rocky Boy. MT
Montana Historical Society
Paul Eagleman Family. Rocky Boy, MT
IVilmii Windy Boy. Ethel Porker. Helen Parker,
Florence Sim Child, Rocky Boy. MT
Chippewa Cree Curriciihnn
Nadine Morsette. Rocky Boy. MT
//
"^c -/OmA to One ^notkcr
Chief Rocky Boy
//
This h()i)k is i/ci/ic(i!cil lo nu'Duirv of oiii- Iciiihliii-^ /oriiallici's. Chicl Rocky Bov of ific
Ctiipjic^wi ciihl C'liicf l.iaic BcLir of ttic C'rcc. ufio luul llic vision of csinfifistiiii^^ a
liomclciih/ for ificir fottowcrs^ ll is afso cfci/uciU'i/ lo llic nwinorv of ifiosc ^\^lo invc' nios!
inslniiuciUal Ar iissistin;^ in nuikin;^ llicir \ision </ rciilitw Inink H. lAiulcnihin ami
Willuini Boles.
Source cf Infonnation contnhttcd by 1 Wilier Denny, Arl Rainmg Bird and joe Small
We beliex'C the Maker of All Tilings
put us Oil our Motlier Enrth to
respect one another in our
relationships to all things and to all
people. The Great Holy Being told
the old people long ago that all people
and all things are but different
branches on the same tree. We are
told ill our daily lives we must do
tliese things.
Respect Mother Eartli mid all ?/h»^s flint live here.
Respect tlie elders, our mothers, and our sisters. Love one another and help one another.
Pray in a good way that loe might get the power to lielp one another and to respect one anotlier for our
differences.
Be truthful and respectfid in our speech, whicli in itself is a miracle and a gift from our Creator tliat we
niiglit use it only to speak good of each other and to pass on the good things in life.
Remember that e-oen/thing that is created on Mother Earth is useful, has a purpose, and loas put Jiere for a
reason. Nothing is to be abused that has been created.
Remember that all tilings are related and that all things are perfect as they have been created: wind, fire,
water, rocks, animals, crawlers, birds, plants, the moon, the sun, and humans.
Remember that the earth was created for everyone and everything and tliat loe are not to selfishly claim it.
1 Vt' are all to share the good things in life so that we may all live in harmony.
Realize that we as human beings have been put on this earth for only a short time and that we must use
tins time to use our minds to gam wisdom, knowledge, respect and understanding of all human beings
since we are all brotliers.
Be Iiumble and respectful before the Creator everyday and give thanks for putting us here on earth.
Ahoays be respectfid of life. We are not to kill our fellow man.
The elders also said, "We believe in the iniiqueiiess of the indiindiial and want our children to liave a deep
respect for others and for those things and people who may be different fivm them. We believe that racism
and prejudice in any form is a useless exercise for the human mind because it only breeds hatred,
misunderstanding, and uuhappiness; it ignores the realities of the world because there are different people
and beliefs which have the right to exist as long as theirs does not attempt to do away xoith our loay of life."
(Contents
Acknowledgem ents :
Introduction:
Chapter 1: 10-32
Chapter 2: 34 - 57
Chapter 3: 59-98
Chapter 4: 99-122
Chapters: 123-153
Pictures 154-175
Chapter 6: 177-220
Addendum: 221-239
Melody Henry. President. Stone Child College
Edward Stamper
Rocky Boy Reservation History to 1979
Produced by Rocky Boy School Research Program in the
1970"s
Contemporary History of Rocky Boy"s Reservation
Written by Dr. Nate St. Pierre
The Travels of the Chippewa Cree. Early Years
Compiled by Gerard Vandeberg, edited by various
researchers
Chippewa Cree Tribal Government
Written by Roger St. Pierre Sr.
(Added to this document is the Chippewa Cree Tribal
Constitution, pictures of Tribal Chairman, and lists of
Tribal Councils)
The History of Rocky Boy Education
Written by Daryl Wright I
Pictures of Rocky Boy's community and surrounding area
from the past to present day
Kinship Charts, pre-tests answer keys, post tests, and
animal identification
Developed by Ethel Parker. Helen Parker. Florence
Sun Child, and Wilma Windy Boy
Lists of Rocky Boy supplementary materials available and
their Location
Compiled by various researchers
As it is with any historical document this is still a work in progress. There are
many stories untold and many yet to come. We began the project by gathering as many
historical documents as we could find fi-om several years ago.
Many thanks go out to the people who were instrumental in the creation of this
book. First and foremost, we owe a debt of gratitude to our forefathers for their legacy as
part of this rich history to the people of Rocky Boy. Secondly, we greatly appreciate
Go\emor Schweitzer and the State of Montana for providing the financial resources
necessary to complete this project. We are gratefiil for the Tribal Historic Preservation
Office Cultural Advisory Committee that consisted of Videl Stump, Sr., Charles Gopher,
and Duncan Standing Rock. Their commitments to this project included attending
meetings. re\ iew ing the numerous drafts, and approving the final product.
I also want to thank the individuals that researched, wrote, edited, and assisted in
the process. This list includes: Gerard Vandeberg for his endless hours of research and
transcription; Edward Stamper for writing, researching, proofi'eading, and seeing that the
project was completed; Rocky Boy Schools Research Program for contributing the
Reservation History to 1979; Dr. Nate St. Pierre for contributing a chapter on the
Contemporary History of the Reservation ft-om 1979 to present; Roger St. Pierre, Sr., for
writing a chapter on Chippewa Cree Tribal Government; and Daryl Wright I for his
chapter on the History of Rocky Boy Education. Many thanks also go out to Athena
Galbavy, who assisted with the research and word processing; Ken Morsette. Jr. for
formatting, editing, printing, and doing it repeatedly— we appreciate the many sleepless
nights you devoted to this project; Belden Billy for assisting and being a big help with
printing/layout; Dr. Matt Hennan for research and gathering materials of public record;
Chelsey St. Pierre for transcribing Tribal Council lists; and Helen Parker, Ethel Parker,
Florence Sun Child, and Wilma Windy Boy for writing the Cree curriculum. We also
want to acknowledge Helen Windy Boy. Sam Vernon Windy Boy, Judy Wood and Kim
Bigknife for assisting with proofreading and edits. A special thank you goes to the
people of Rocky Boy for contributing to the history of our Tribe by allowing us to
interview them and include their stories.
Last, but not least, we would like to recognize the Chippewa-Cree Tribal Council
and the Stone Child College Board of Directors for their support of this project.
Respectfully,
^A^
Melody Henry. President
Introduction
The Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation is a very wealthy
Tribe. In this case, wealth is in terms of language, culture, traditions, and in history. In
order to access some of these aspects, one must follow certain protocols. One of the
reasons for safe-guarding the language, culture, traditions, and history is to avoid
common mistakes that have been made in the past. In particular, there have been authors
that had previously written manuscripts about our Tribe and, in many cases, their writings
were not totally accurate.
This has caused concerns among tribal members: so much that new protocols and
procedures have been adopted before any of our collective history can be shared with the
outside world. In order for Stone Child College to deliver history to the people of the
State of Montana, we must obtain approval from our recognized Cultural Advisory
Committee and then our Tribal Institutional Review Board.
Prior to May of 2008. we were not aware of the approval process, but we have
been following it ever since. Needless to say, there has been more written history
submitted to these committees than what has been approved. There have been recent
discoveries of several documents pertaining to our history that have not been studied in
depth, and due to our timeline for deli\ ery of this history, these documents will not be
included at this time. Given two more years and flmding for research and writing, we
feel our shared history could be much more comprehensive.
When reading the History of Rocky Boy, one must realize the historical era that
our Chiefs lived. Both Chief Rocky Boy and Chief Little Bear were Plains Indians, a
primarily hunting and gathering culture. The hunting of buffalo was central to the
lifestyle of Cree people for thousands of years and to western Chippewa since the early
1800's. At one time buffalo were the most numerous single species of large wild
mammal on the Earth, so numerous that Indians could use the surplus meat for trade
items among other tribes and non-Indians.
These buffalo, which numbered 60 to 100 million in the mid- 1800s, were
exterminated to a few hundred by 1889. Many professional hunters such as Buffalo Bill
Cody killed over a hundred animals at a single hunt and many thousands in their career.
One professional hunter killed over 20,000 by his own count.
One can only imagine the shock this brought to tribes that relied 100% on the
buffalo for their existence. It wasn't much longer when the state governments stopped
hunting of other animals such as deer and elk by American Indians. This forced many to
return to reservations to live off of government rations and family gardens.
This was not the case for the Chippew a and Cree, for they had no reservation to
return to. They wandered the State of Montana for some 30 years before they were
finally given a home to plant gardens and practice their ceremonial ways. This 30-year
period was a sad time; full of sickness, starvation, despair, rejection, and sometimes
humiliation. However, portions of the newspaper stories found in this segment of history
have been omitted because, although it is part of actual history, there are some elements
that could be regarded as appalling among both races and the project review committees
advised us not to include those accounts in this book.
If it were not for people like Frank B. Lindennan, William Bole, Theo Gibson,
and Charles M. Russell, the Chippewa and Cree people of Montana may have also
become extinct like the buffalo. When Mr. Lindennan contacted officials in Washington
D.C.. threatening to write to the Eastern Press and infonn them of the conditions the
Chippew a Cree faced. Congress took action to approve a home for the Chippewa Cree on
September 7. 1916.
One can find much history about the Chippewa Cree people through the Internet,
library searches, and newspaper archives. Several books have also been written about the
Chippewa Cree, but very little has been written about the histoiy by a Chippewa Cree
tribal member. With the exception of a small section in the Addendum of this document,
everything was produced, written, and printed by members of the Chippewa Cree Tribe.
The purpose of the history within this book is to share with the State of Montana
so that it can be used within the State schools as part of their curriculum pertaining to
history of Montana Indians. In the Summer of 2008, Stone Child College in conjunction
with the Office of Public Instruction, conducted a workshop for certified teachers on the
History of Rocky Boy"s Resenation. It was highly successful according to the teacher
evaluations, so we are planning on making this an annual summer event.
Stone Child College is also seeking funding to add chapters to this book and to
create a Virtual Tour of our reservation. If this becomes a reality, we will post this
information on our website at: www.stonechild.edu. There is also a lot of infonnation
about our Tribe that can be found on the tribal website at: www.rockyboy.org.
1^
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2007 Slone Child College Graduates
8
Chapter 1
^Rpclyj "Boij ^servafion T-dstorij to <gj^
Produced by Rocky Boy School Research Program in the 1970's
PUBLIC ACTS OF THE SIXTY-FOURTH CONGRESS, FIRST
SESSION, 1916.
Chapter 452
September 7, 1916. | |S.3646.| 39 Stat., 739.
An Act to amend the Act of February eleventh, nineteen hundred and fifteen (Thirty-
eighth Statutes at Large, page eight hundred and seven), providing for the opening of the
Fort Assinniboine MiHtary Reservation.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled. That the Act approved February eleventh, nineteen hundred and
fifteen (Thirty-eighth Statutes at Large, page eight hundred and seven), entitled "An Act
authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to survey the lands of the abandoned Fort
Assinniboine Military Reservation and open the same to settlement," be, and the same is
hereby, amended by the addition thereto of the following sections:
"SEC. 10.
That fi-actional townships twenty-eight north, ranges fifteen and sixteen east, and
fi-actional townships twenty-nine north, ranges fourteen and fifteen east, Montana
principal meridian, within the boundaries of said reservation, embracing a total area of
approximately fifty-six thousand and thirty-five acres, are hereby set apart as a
reservation for Rocky Boy"s Band of Chippewas and such other homeless Indians in the
State of Montana as the Secretary of the Interior may see fit to locate thereon, and the
said Secretary is authorized, in his discretion, to allot the lands within the reservation
hereby created under the provisions of the general allotment Act of February eighth,
eighteen hundred and eighty-seven (Twenty-fourth Statutes at Large, page three hundred
and eighty-eight), as amended.
"SEC. 11.
That the Secretary of the Interior be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to
patent to the city of Havre, Montana, for reservoir purposes, the following-described
lands lying within said reservation: The west half southeast quarter, west half section
twenty-five, and the southeast quarter northeast quarter, northeast quarter southeast
quarter, section twenty-six, township thirty-one north, range fifteen east, Montana
principal meridian, comprising reservoir site numbered one and embracing an area of
approximately four hundred and eighty acres; and the northwest quarter, west half
northeast quarter, north half southwest quarter, northwest quarter southeast quarter,
section thirty-three; and the southwest quarter southeast quarter, southeast quarter
southwest quarter, section twenty-eight, township thirty north, range sixteen east,
Montana principal meridian, comprising reservoir site numbered two, and embracing an
area of approximately four hundred and forty acres: Provided, That the city of Havre
shall pay for said land the sum of $1.25 per acre: Provided further. That if the said city of
Havre shall at any time hereafter abandon the lands above described and cease to use the
same for said puiposes, said above-described lands shall revert to the Government of the
United States.
"SEC. 12.
That the Secretary of the Interior is hereby authorized and directed to withdraw
and set aside as a camping ground, the same to be kept and maintained without cost to the
Government of the United States, the following-described land in said reservation lying
11
on both sides of Beaver Creek within townships twenty-nine, thirty, and thirty-one north,
fifteen and sixteen east, to wit: The west half section thirty-four; all of sections thirty-
three, twenty-eight, and twenty-one; the west half southwest quarter, northwest quarter
section twenty-two; all of section sixteen; the south half northwest quarter, west half
northeast quarter, section nine; the east half northeast quarter section eight; the east half
southeast quarter section five; the west half, northeast quarter, west half southeast quarter
section four, township twenty-nine north, range sixteen east; and the south half southwest
quarter, south half southeast quarter, northeast quarter southeast quarter, east half
northeast quarter, section thirty-three; the southeast quarter southeast quarter, north half
southeast quarter, southwest quarter southwest quarter, north half southwest quarter,
north half, section twenty-eight; the west half southeast quarter, west half northeast
quarter, west half, section twenty-one; the east half southeast quarter, cast half northeast
quarter, section twenty; the west half section sixteen; east half, east half northwest
quarter, section seventeen; the east half southwest quarter, east half northwest quarter,
east half, section eight; the west half southwest quarter, west half northwest quarter,
section nine; all of section five; the northeast quarter section six, township thirty north,
range sixteen east; and the southwest quarter section thirty-two; the south half northwest
quarter, southwest quarter northeast quarter section thirty-one, township thirty-one worth,
range sixteen east; and the east half southeast quarter section twenty-five; southeast
quarter southeast quarter, northwest quarter southeast quarter, northeast quarter northeast
quarter, west half northeast quarter, east half northwest quarter, northwest quarter
northwest quarter, section twenty-six; south half southwest quarter, south half, southeast
quarter, section twenty-three, township thirty-one north, range fifteen east, Montana
principal meridian, embracing an area of approximately eight thousand eight hundred and
eighty acres."
Approved. September 7. 1916.
BtACKFE
"n
OCKY
BOX
1
BELKNAP
Histon' of Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation
The Rocky Boy"s Indian Reservation is different from other reservations in
Montana in several ways. It was the last reservation to be established in the state. It was
established not by treaty, but by
congressional act; and it is the smallest
reservation in the state, home to the
smallest tribe, the Chippewa Cree.
The Chippewa and Cree tribes
had long been associated with each
other as they traveled between
Montana and Canada hunting the
buffalo. Neither the Chippewa Chief
Rocky Boy nor the Cree Chief Little
Bear had signed treaties for land
during the treaty period; therefore, early in the twentieth century they found themselves
unwelcome in a land where most Indians were on reservations. They were without a
home, without a place to call their own: a place where they could make a li\ ing, raise
their children, and practice their religion according to their beliefs.
m. ,
NORTHERN
'^HEyENNE
12
■^^
t-
ii
Chippewa Chief Rock}-
Boy
Cree Chief Little Bear
ROCKYBOY AND LITTLE BEAR LOOKING FOR A HOME
Both Rocky Boy and Little Bear began petitioning the government for a home for
their people and soliciting support from prominent white citizens who were sympathetic
to their cause. Since they spent much time in and around the cities of Montana, they
found supporters in Great Falls" William Bole, editor of the Tribune, artist Charles M.
Russell, and Helena's Frank B. Lindennan.
Rocky Boy"s petitions for a home met the greater success than Little Bear"s
because he was considered an American Indian while Little Bear was often considered a
Canadian Indian. Rocky Boy"s request was first answered with a proposal that his band
settle on the Flathead Reservation. The bill died in Congress. Next, Congress set aside
$30,000 and 60 townships in Valley County for the support of Rocky Boy"s band. But
the government was unable to gather the band together to send them to Valley County.
Besides that, the railroad proposed to charge an exorbitant rate to transport Indians.
Added to those hindrances was the fact that white settlers had declared "declarations of
occupancy" on the land during the winter months. So much for the Valley County idea!
Then in 1909, Rocky Boy"s band was ordered to the Blackfeet Reservation.
Eleven thousand acres, eighty acres per member was set aside in the far northwest near
Babb, Montana. By June, 1910 only fifty Chippewa had agreed to make selections on the
Blackfeet Reservation. Many said eighty acres was not enough: the land was too high,
the winters too severe. There was not enough acreage to support cattle and the land was
not suitable for fanning. Many band members deserted Rocky Boy.
THE BEAR PAW MOUNTAINS
In the meantime, others besides Rocky Boy and Little Bear were looking for a
home for the Chippewa and Cree People. Pah-nah-to, a Chippewa Chief married to
Prairie Dog, was also seeking land. He had his eye on the abandoned Fort Assiniboine in
the Bear Paw Mountains, south of Havre. When Pah-nah-to became sick and knew he
was going to die, he sent for Little Bear. According to oral history, his words to Little
Bear were something like these:
"My cousin. I won I sec the day when we get our laticl. I aw dying. I have ab-cady
started the phms to get this land in the Bear Paws. Rock}' Boy will not he able to stinive
13
//; Browniiiii. There is no farm hind and winters are severe. Tlierefore, coneeutrate on
the Bear Paws. Do your best to gel this hind for our people. "
These mountains that Pah-nah-to was referring to were sacred to the Cree. They
reminded them of a bear crouching on the ground, so they called them the Bear Paw
Mountains. Ah-si-ni-wah-chi-sik. Centennial Mountain is the bear's head. K.ah-kis-kah-
to-we-ah-mah-nah-ti-nahk. or Fore Top Butte. Square Butte is called Mahs-ko-chi-chi,
the Bear's Paw. Baldy Butte is the Bears Heart. It is called 0-che-ah-chi-nahs-ik, or
Heart Butte.
Little Bear planted
this idea concerning the
Bear Paws in the mind of
Fred Baker who in 1912
was sent by the Indian
Office to investigate
Montana with a view to a
pennanent settlement for
Rocky Boy's band and
other landless Indians. It
was the first time the
federal government had
taken responsibility for
all non-reservation
Indians in the state. The
Bear Paws idea was not
an idle one. In 1911 Fort
Buldv Butte
Cenlcnnial Mountain
Assiniboine
closed as
reservation.
160.000
had been
a military
It contained
acres of
grassland, mountains, and
streams; much of it is the
Bear Paws south of
Havre. Baker
recommended the
abandoned military
reservation be set aside
for the Chippewa and
Cree. Since it was away
from major population
centers, he reasoned, it
would have the support of
the citizens of Helena and
Great Falls.
A lame duck
Congress and president
failed to act on the
proposal in December of
1912. Ha\re citizens journeyed to Washington D.C., to protest the settlement of the
Chippewa Cree near their city. William Bole and Frank Linderman followed the Havre
.Si/iiiiiv Butic near Box Elder.
14
citizens to the nation's capitol to urge Secretary ot^ Interior Franklin Lane to settle the
Chippewa Cree on the southern mountainous portion of the military reser\e to quiet
Havre's objection to ha\ing them close b\. Lane must ha\e been intluenced b\ their
presentation because in December 1913, Little Bear and Rocky Boy were given
pennission to winter camp at Fort Assiniboine in anticipation of making a pemianent
home there.
Still Congress moved very slowly on the question of a home for the Chippewa
Cree. During the spring of 1914 Lindemian wrote letters threatening to take the story of
Rocky Boy and Little Bear to easterners if the issue were not addressed.
ROCKY BOY'S RESERVATION ESTABLISHED
fiW;
Finally, on February 11. 1915. Secretary Lane ordered a suney of old Ft.
Assiniboine and its opening for settlement. The total acreage of the fort was 72.000 acres
or 14 '4 square miles. On September 7. 1916 an Act of the 64"' Congress of the United
States designated a tract of land, once part of the abandoned Ft. Assiniboine Military
Resene. as a refuge for ihc "homeless and wandering Indians." President Woodrow
Wilson signed the bill into law and created a tract of land that would sot>n be known as
Rock\ Boy's Indian Rescr\ation.
Located south of
jif „^ Havre, the refuge consisted
of 56.035 acres. It was gi\en
-, _ -- as a "permanent home of the
Chippewa Cree band." The
same act of Ct>ngress set
aside 2.000 acres of the old
military reserve to the state of
Montana for public use and
8,880 acres to the city of
Havre for use as a no-fee
recreational area for the
residents oi Chouteau. Hill.
■^^7s:z^-^^m£f-- ^^^^^^^mimubbSi^ir^-- ■'^^k Liberty, and Blaine Counties.
R,Kky B,n a;^cmr area m carlv clavs j^^ Superintendent at
Ft. Belknap in 1916. a man by the name of Martin, is credited with writing the bill
requesting part of Ft. Assiniboine as a home for the Chippewa Cree. According to the
records, he requested four southern townships which totaled 1 14 sections. The requested
sections were divided as follows: 21 tillable. 80 grazing, 12 timber.
Martin's request was sent to Congress in August of 1916. The Senate passed the
bill with one drastic amendment, the removal of one tt>\\ nship containing the lower \ alley
of Beaver Creek. This was done to placate Ha\rc officials. Just as Little Bear had
feared, his people received only land suitable for grazing and practically no tillable land.
They were given three townships instead of the four that were requested, two tow nships
of mountainous low-grade timber, and one township of some grassland and broken bench
lands. In later years, more land was added to the reservation so that its present size is
107.613 acres (as of 1979).
For the Chippewa Cree in 1916 it was land they could call their own. No longer
did they ha\e to go begging from town to town. In fact as soon as they mo\ ed onto the
land, even before they knew it was theirs, they planted potatoes. They filled two root
15
cellars with their harvest and sent some produce to the State Fair in Helena where it won
prizes.
When Congress established the reservation, an enrollment list of over 600 people
was created. The Indian Office allowed 400 to settle on Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation
how many additional landless Indians resided in the state no one knew. In June 1917
James McLaughlin was sent to Rocky Boy"s Indian Reservation to complete an official
enrollment list. He produced a role of 425 people, including all Chippewa Cree living at
Ft. Assiniboine in the last three years, those who came from Browning with Rocky Boy
and those who could demonstrate their association with Little Bear.
EARLY YEARS ON THE RESERVATION
The first years on the
reservation were difficult ones.
There were few jobs and many
people had to go off the
reservation to find work. Those
who stayed tried to garden, hunt,
pick rock, and collect bones, wool,
tin, and other metals. Rations
were provided which included
rice, beans, salt pork, flour, sugar,
and coffee. It was difficult to
Ha>-\'estingpolaluci in Ihc airly ycuis tit Kucky Hoy .s liidiau Rcsen'alion
IN^
transport the rations to Rocky
Boy"s because there were no roads
from the Box Elder train depot. Someone would have to ride out with horse and wagon,
and as often as not. the train would arrive without rations. Officials tried sending large
quantities at a time, but problems arose with storing and issuing the rations. Hard
feelings often resulted if people used up their rations and the official could not issue
additional rations from those stored on the
reservation.
Along with food rations, the
government also issued amiy surplus clothes,
shoes, socks, overcoats. Many women
would rip up the clothes and make quilts.
Reimbursable grain wagons, horses,
and other fann implements were loaned to
people and they were encouraged to work
their land. But it was difficult to work a fann
when one had to go off the reservation in the
summer to work.
Even though times were hard, there
was a spirit of cooperation during the early days. The government furnished seeds to the
people: oats, wheat, and barley. When the harvest came, everyone got together and went
from one field to the next until all the crops were harvested. Everyone helped put up hay
too. And when someone needed a house, people went out together to cut and haul logs.
They worked until the house was finished. Women helped by chinking the logs and
preparing food. The people were all finends. They helped and loved one another as the
*^
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ihiDcMiii'' hill
16
Elders taught them. Between September 1915 and November
were completed and ten more were almost finished.
1916. thirty-five cabins
EARLY LEADERS
Rocky Boy and Little Bear were the accepted leaders of the Chippewa Cree.
though Little Bear had deferred to the leadership of Rocky Boy after 1904 because of the
stigma of Canadian birth. The two men were related through their wives. Several of the
elders of the community acted as advisors which included Ke-nah-wash. a spiritual leader
who spoke to the people every morning from the hill behind the flour mill. It was said
his voice could be heard all the way to Parker Canyon!
Other councilors were Bucket, Spread Wing, Alexander, and Chief Goes Out.
When it came time to name the reservation, these men and others decided to name it after
Chief Rocky Boy whose Chippewa name was similar to the Cree Ah-si-niw-i-yi-niw,
which means Stone Indian. White men translated it as "Rocky Boy." Rock) Boy had not
lived to see the reservation officially given to his people, for he had died on April 18^\
1916. In naming the reservation after Chief Rocky Boy, the people wanted to honor their
departed chief.
FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE
Pete Kenncwash
At their first meeting after
the reservation was fomied. Little
Bear and his councilors decided that
a schoolhouse should be built so
that the young children could go to
school right on the reservation.
This was as important to them as
having a place to practice their
religion. The first school was a
one-room log house built by Jim
Denny, Roasting Stick, Pete
Jim Dcnnv
Kennewash. John Courchane. John
Stump, and Jim Smith. The school
was located where the Detox Center is now (as of 1979). Grades one through three went
to school there. Older students were sent to the boarding schools at Ft. Belknap,
Chemawa, and Flandreau.
People's memories of their early school days are not very happy ones. They
remember being punished for speaking their own language, even at recess time. Add to
that the difficulties of learning in a language they did not understand. It was also hard to
keep teachers on the reservation. There was no place for them to stay and conditions were
severe. Often the little schoolhouse at the agency stood empty.
A Mr. Bushman is remembered as being a pretty good teacher who treated the
students well. But even he would not allow the children to speak their language. Paul
Mitchell remembers Edna Colter, his teacher at the agency school. Other teachers who
are remembered are Mrs. Bain during C.C. days, Mrs. Grouse, Mrs. Bate, and Mrs.
Portman who taught at Parker School when Mary Lodgepole was a cook there. Mrs. Half
Coat also taught at Parker School.
17
The First Agency School Built in 1916.
As people moved
away from the agency and
out onto the land, different
communities or "districts"
were formed. Eventually,
each district had a school.
First built was Sangrey
School in the Sangrey
district. Then Haystack
School was built and finally
Parker Day School.
Eventually a second school
was built at the agency for
the Duck Creek students.
By the time Parker School
was built around 1930,
buses were running. These
day schools included
kitchens in which to
prepare the students" meals
and living quarters for
teachers. Temporary
schools were also built at
the sawmill and at the site
of Bonneau Dam when
workers were living at
these locations.
The Sawmill
School building was used
until the 1940"s when it
was sold to a resident of
Big Sandy. The other
schools on the reservation
were operated by the
Indian service until June,
1960. At that time
responsibility for educating
Rocky Boy's students was
transfen'ed to the Havre
School District. All day
schools were consolidated
Haystack School 193a into one new elementary
school building at the agency. In 1970 the Rocky Boy community assumed
control of educating its youngsters, electing an all-Indian school board and
initiating a bilingual program at Rocky Boy School. At that time Superintendent
Bert Corcoran invited Joe Small, Walter Denny, and Art Raining Bird to teach
Cree reading, writing, history, and Indian ways, to the teachers, teacher aids, bus
dri\ers, and cooks. They taught the Cree teachers to read and write the Cree
language so that the children would not forget their way of writings, and these
were the ones that actually taught the students.
18
raikci L)a\ School 1^31.
f
The bilingual program is
still in effect today and extends
into the tribal High School which
has been in operation since 1979.
ROUND DANCE HALL
BUILT
Another of the very first
buildings the people built in the
winter of 1 9 1 4- 1 5 was the Round
Dance Hall. It was constructed of
The Round dcmce hall uasconstmcled by local people in I9I4-I9I5 Sod and logS and StOOd SOUthwCSt
of the present Senior Citizens
Center. Round dances and other community gatherings were the major form of
entertainment for the people in the early days.
SUPERINTENDENTS
Ever since the Rocky Boy Reservation was established a government
representative has lived at the agency. Until 1919 Rocky Boy's was under the
jurisdiction of the Fort Belknap Superintendent. That meant that the government rancher
at Rocky Boy made all of his requests to Ft. Belknap. The first government fanner was
Roger St. Pierre (1915-1917). He was a mixed blood Chippewa fi-om the Pembina band
in North Dakota. Following St. Pierre was John Parker (1917-1925). He had been a
government farmer at the Flathead Agency. In October of 1917. the Indian Office
separated the administration of Rocky Boy trom that of Ft. Belknap and promoted Parker
to "Fanner in Charge" and "Special Disbursing Agent." After 1917 Parker requested
fiinds and aid directly fi-om Washington. D.C. In 1919. the Indian Office elevated the
Rocky Boy Agency to equal status with Ft. Belknap and named John Parker
superintendent of Rocky Boy's Agency.
JOHN PARKER, 1917-1925
(Not to be confused mth the John Parker that was a Chippewa Cree triballr enrolled member)
John Parker tried to help the Rocky Boy people by promoting cultural values and
improving conditions on the reservation. He encouraged close-knit families; he removed
the rules against the Sun Dance; he created a Business Committee composed of elder
band members so that they could ha\e a voice in reservation affairs; he improved living
conditions on the reser\ ation so that a mechanic, a blacksmith and a school teacher could
be attracted to the area. He suggested road construction to the Box Elder railroad stafion
and larger storage facilities at the agency to eliminate delays in issuing rations. He
advocated a cattle-raising industry as a source of income from the reservation.
The cattle industr) was a part of Parker's five-year agricultural plan for the
reservation. Each head of household was to be placed on a 160 acre assignment to
produce small grains for — flour and cattle feed — and to raise vegetables, hogs and
chickens for their famih 's needs. Each family was expected to make improvements on
the property, including building a house, bam. root cellar and chicken house. Thus a
"two-tier" farm econom> would be created the small fanns would produce food for
themselves and for cattle. The cattle industry would produce a cash income for the tribe.
19
The 1 60 acre
assignment per head of
household would
involve only 1 5.000
acres of reservation
land. There was plenty
of land left over for the
tribal cattle industry if
land were not leased to
outsiders as it had been
in the past. Only by
ending the lease
arrangement would the
cattle industry be a
possibility on the Rocky
Boy Reservation. But
the Indian Office undercut Parker's plan and renewed the lease with white ranchers. As a
result, his plan could not work. Parker had to resign himself to being the care taker of the
reserxation. issuing rations and making life as tolerable as possible for the Rocky Boy
people. His generous issue of rations got him into trouble with the Indian Office. When
they decreased his funds for rations. Parker went to Montana Senator Walsh to protest.
No such insubordination was tolerated by the Indian Commissioner. Parker was forced
out of office and replaced by John Keeley who promised strict obedience to hidian Office
policy.
Gathering, calllc In ibe early years of Rocky Boy's Indian Reseryalion.
JOHN KEELEY, 1925-1926
.lohn Keeley came to his job with a "prison warden's mentality." He did so many
things that irritated the Chippewa Cree that they were in open revolt against him within
six months. Following is a partial list of their grievances:
• He took keys to the warehouse away from five band members who had
been trusted with them.
• He dismissed Dan Belcourt as reservation thrasher and separator because
of disrespect to the superintendent and replaced him with a white rancher.
• Instead of working on health conditions on the reser\'ation. he dug a well
for water for the superintendent and clerk's office. The tribe's members
had to haul water from a spring 300 yards from the agency camp.
• He ended the tribe's relationship with the only medical doctor who came
out to the reservation, a Dr. McKenzie from Big Sandy.
• He refused to deal with the Business Committee Parker had created.
• He tried to prohibit the Sun Dance. As a result, the people danced the
entire summer.
• He tried to force all the people off the agency and onto their assignments.
• He issued an order to cut the children's long hair.
• In an effort to get milk into the school children's diet, he bought milk
cows too old to produce milk.
• He ordered people into fann organizations, refusing rations to those who
did not ioin.
20
• He threatened to remove from the reservation rolls those who did not go
along with him.
Keeley was relieved of his duties in February, 1926.
LUMAN SHOTWELL, 1926-1929
The next government agent at Rocky Boy was Superintendent Luman W.
Shotwell. He showed more concern for the people and more tact in dealing with them
than did Keeley. His goals were to improve the agency office and increase its staff; to
provide better services such as health and agricultural training to people; and to set an
example of energetic labor.
More people were persuaded to fami in 1926 but hot, dry winds shriveled the
grains. Shotwell induced people to farm again in 1927 by having them sign an agreement
that if they received rations they would farm the next summer. He confiscated people's
land if they did not fami and sold the grain they produced to cover reservation debts.
In 1927 Shotwell introduced an agency school garden that was supposed to
provide food for the children's noon meals and demonstrate proper methods of raising a
garden in the Bear Paws. At the end of the season, the garden produced an income of
fifty-five cents above the cost of maintaining it. The garden was abandoned.
^
i
::M.^j'M {
Road CiDisinnhon III Ri'vkr Bii\ in /vjy.
E^^^■n ilic women helped wiili consiiiiciion of the roads.
As for improving health services, Shotwell requested a hospital for the reservation
but was reftised. The Indian Office did approve a field nurse and the continued use of a
contract doctor from Big Sandy. A 1925 survey of health needs on the reservation
revealed the following:
• Of sixty five children attending day school:
o 23 had advanced trachoma
o 40 had defective teeth
o 9 showed evidence of TB
o 1 1 had acute goiter
o All showed signs of malnutrition
• Of adults
o 20% had TB
o There was a high incidence of venereal disease
o The death rate was 3-4% of the population, two-thirds of the death
being of children under five years of age
21
Shotwell requested aid for road improvements and netted the reservation $8,000
in 1928. The government stipulated that the people had to work on the roads themselves
and Shotwell was strict on this. He even cut off the rations of an eighty year old man
who refused to work on the roads! The Indian Office also agreed to help fund the
installation of telephone line from Rock) Boy"s Agenc\ to Box Elder. (As far as we
know, no one lost their food rations on account of the telephone line) In spite of the fact
that the depression was on the way and drought had returned to north central Montana,
Shotwell was able to expand the agency and improve conditions on the reservation. He
had agreed to a new Indian council so that the Chippewa Cree would have a sounding
board for their complaints. By 1929, he employed ten personnel at the agency including
schoolteachers, a general mechanic, blacksmith, and a forest ranger. A sawmill and
impro\ed access to timber through road constmction added jobs and cash flow to the
reser\ation. By 1932, S40.000 had been spent on building all weather roads to Box Elder
and Havre. This period of growth continued for Rocky Boy through 1936.
^
Saw Mill
EARL WOOLDRIDGE, 1929-
1938
Wlien Shotwell was
promoted to superintendent at Ft.
Belknap, Earl Wooldridge came to
Rocky Boy. A native of Chinook,
he had been in the Indian Service
since 1924 working as a farmer,
teacher, and principal on
■ reser\ations at Ft. Hall. Idaho, and
_ - Ft. Totten. North Dakota. Some
people called him "mean", but
many felt that he was trying to
help the Indians, to teach them how to make a
living by working.
Wooldridge made people work for any
money or provisions they received. He even
had them exchange their labor for emergency
rations. People could work at such jobs as
putting up hay, building fence or houses, or
hauling wood. For such jobs. Four Souls
received 36 cents a week. Once some carcasses
arrived on the reservation (though they didn't
know what they were) people paid 90 cents a
piece for them. Old people did receive rations
v\'ithout being required to work.
To further encourage people to become
self-sufficient, Wooldridge tried to break up
the agency camp and move people to their assignments. In May 1930, he delivered an
ultimatum to the people: no aid or employment would be gi\en to those who refiised to
move to their assignments. Incentives were offered to those who did move:
McNicklc. Duscnhcrn. and tour Souls.
22
1 . a family garden would be created on each assignment
2. a cattle herd would be developed as a cooperative tribal venture
3. a supply of chickens and hogs would be given to each household
Wooldridge insisted each family raise wheat and oats for winter feed for cattle, as
well as for their own use. By 1930 Wooldridge reported fiflty-five families had entered
into the plan and were doing well. By 193 1, the cattle herd had increased to 350 head, in
addition to selling 1 50 head.
Wooldridge also had a grandiose plan for increasing Rocky Boy"s land base. He
requested one million dollars from the Indian Office to add 80,000 acres to the
reservation to be used to settle landless Indians, to construct 300 homes and 400 bams
and chicken houses, and to purchase stock and equipment. He also wanted to add
100,000 acres of land for use by those already enrolled. Linking the plight of the landless
Indians to his requests for improvements at Rocky Boy was a good move politically.
Montana citizens wanted the homeless Indians removed from their cities. But a cutback
in funding allowed only S200,000 for Rocky Boy. Wooldridge re-submitted a more
modest plan for 42,000 acres to settle the landless Indians already on the reservation.
Because he had promised more than he could deliver, he earned the wrath of the Rocky
Boy community. Joseph Dussone and Charles Mosney led the attempt to remove him.
The Business Committee tried to claim the authority to hire their own superintendent but
the Indian Office refused the right.
THE INDIAN REORGANIZATION ACT (IRA)
In 1934, while Wooldridge was still superintendent at Rocky Boy, President
Roosevelt appointed John Collier Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Collier was an Indian
rights advocate who wanted Indians to have more control over their own affairs. He
wrote a document called the Indian Reorganization Act which set forth the principles of
self-government and self-determination for Indian people all over the United States.
Wooldridge was put in charge of selling the idea to the Indians in Montana. Darcy
McNickle and Henry Roe Cloud traveled in Montana paving the way for the elections. A
meeting was called in Rapid City, South Dakota, which Collier himself attended to
present his proposal to the Indians in the Northwest.
Under the IRA, Indians were to write their own constitutions and formulate their
own governing bodies. These tribal governments would then work directly with the
Indian Office. This appealed to the Chippewa Cree because it meant official recognition
of the tribe and the beginning of a trust relationship with the federal government.
Perhaps this would at long last end the stigma of foreign birth. Collier also promised that
public domain lands would be added to the reservations of those tribes who accepted the
IRA. On the strength of the promise. The Chippewa Cree were one of the first tribes to
adopt Collier's plan. The vote was 172 FOR and 7 AGAINST.
In the years after 1934 the reservation nearly doubled in size, to include over
104.000 acres in 1946. As a direct result of the Indian Reorganization Act, one-eighth of
a mile (557 acres) was added to the reservation. The government also bought out Gravel
Coulee and Williamson Range, 35,000 acres at $280,000. In order to receive this land.
Rocky Boy's Business Committee agreed to adopt into the tribe thirty families of landless
Indians. The natural increase in the population and the addition of landless Indians more
than doubled the population of the resenation. In 1943 it was noted that the reservation's
resources were not enough to support the population. Full utilization of the reservation
could provide an adequate living for only 40 families. Less than two hundred fifty
23
families resided on the reservation. Therefore, the land could support only 20% of the
population. Agency employment, marketing handicrafts and social security provided an
income for an additional 60 families, leaving over 140 families with no means of support.
Within a year of accepting the IRA, the Chippewa Cree tribe had written and
received approval of a constitution. It was amended on April 22. 1972. The charter was
ratified in 1936. The governing body was to be called the Chippewa Cree Business
Committee and consisted of nine members eight representatives and one chaimian, all
elected by popular vote. The chainnan and four members were to serve four-year terms
and four others two-year terms to provide continuity in committee membership.
In 1947 Rocky Boy's Reservation was again put under the jurisdiction of the
agency staff at Fort Belknap. It was proposed by Shotwell in 1932 after his transfer to Ft
Belknap, but the idea was shelved until John Collier came into office and Shotwell
offered the plan again. Wooldridge spoke against it because he feared abandonment of
Rocky Boy just when they were starting to get on their feet. Collier let the issue drop.
When Collier resigned because Congress did not support his programs,
congressional budget cutters forced the Indian Office to reconsider consolidation of Ft.
Belknap and Rocky Boy. The Chippewa Cree protested to Senator Mike Mansfield and
he agreed with them. The Bureau of Indian Affairs saw no other alternative to the budget
crunch than the elimination or consolidation of its agencies, so in 1947 the administration
of Rocky Boy was put under Ft. Belknap. This arrangement lasted until 1965 when
Rocky Boy again received its own superintendent. Rocky Boy retained its own
administration to the present.
THE LAND BASE
Depending on the source of infomiation, the total land base of the reservation is
presently somewhere between 107,000 and 108,000 acres as of 1979. The land is
roughly divided into the following categories:
Dryfami 5,937 acres
Irrigated 993 acres
Irrigable 1.507 acres
TOTAL 8.437 acres
Grazing
Timber
Waste
Mineral
TOTAL
70.409 acres
27.000 acres
1 87 acres
♦undetennined
97,596 acres
Administrative Site
School Sites
School Pastures
TOTAL
800 acres
60 acres
1 60 acres
L020 acres
GRAND TOTAL - 107,053 acres
Rocky Boy"s land was never allotted. Enrolled individuals are entitled to fi-ee-use
assignments of up to 160 acres. Approximately 20% of the reservation is in 160 acre
assignments. In the early years there was concern among the people about the
pennanence of their assignments. They feared they might be taken away at the whim of a
superintendent. Any buildings they constructed could be willed to family members: thus
they gained some sense of ownership although the land remained in the hands of the
tribe.
* Tlwre was some studies done on the coal several years ago. and we know that there was mining done with
the coal (quality coal). The drilling and coring was done in the known areas where coal was developed or
an area that had outcrops of coal. An area that has quality coal is near Centennial mountain hut getting it
and using it is another problem, as the coal veins are at such a steep angle it would he difficult to get the
coal out. There is also the issue of underground water: the coal beds .teem to .wrx'e as aquifers or
contribute to holding of water. Other areas drilled were in the old Sangrey School (Bonneau dump site)
areas: this coal has a high ash content, which lowers the quality for local use and has an overburden of
around 50 feet.
24
Gladys Stanley and
Nancy Raining Bird Oats Anderson
ECONOMY
The land base and natural resources on
Rocky Boy"s are scant. The land can support no
more than forty families in a farm and ranch
subsistence. Therefore many enrollees live and/or
work off the reservation. According to records there
are approximately 3,000 enrolled members, two
thousand of whom live on the reservation. The rest
reside off the reservation. The potential labor force
is 913, including 441 men and 472 women. The
unemployment rate is between 70% and 80% (this
was as of 1979).
People on Rocky Boy are used to having to
struggle to make a living. When they first moved to
the reservation back in 1915 there was no work at
all. To feed themselves, people raised gardens.
There were hardly any deer or elk when they
arrived, so they hunted smaller animals pigeons,
gophers, groundhogs, muskrats, prairie chickens,
grouse, and rabbits. Paul Mitchell tells of climbing
the cottonwoods for magpie eggs.
His mother would fry them up with
the salt pork they received with their
rations and that would be their
bacon and eggs.
People could earn a little
cash by "goin" junkin"." They would
go from one town to the next
picking up pieces of tin, copper, or
5»^ '•iMjiT-'f -'■•'■'- '""- aluminum, rags, old batteries, and
afe-if s . old tires. All of this could be sold to
^^^ . ^' «-■ a junk dealer. They also picked
^gt^'.i: _ ^^ bones and sold them to "Bone
■cr- '"•^■■■P - ^ -451 Chief Cowan who ran a store in
Fort Assinihoinc near Havre, Montana. Box Elder. They were paid about
ten dollars a wagon load. The bones
were shipped back East there they were crushed and mixed with feed for animals.
Once in a while work was found picking rock or potatoes. A person could earn
five dollars for cleaning 1000 bricks at old Ft. Assiniboine. Frank Caplette said he was
able to clean 1000 bricks per day. Coyote pelts could also be sold, as could wool that
was gathered from fences. Fence posts could be cut and sold.
The men went wherever they could to find work. Ditch camps offered
employment digging ditches and the railroad offered jobs building and repairing track.
25
FARMING
The Indian Office pressured people to settle into fanning communities from the
earliest days. As early as 1915 they gave pemiission to use some of Ft. Assiniboine for
gardening. The government supplied some seed and two sod breaking plows and a disk
harrow. Only later did the Chippewa Cree learn they had to reimburse the government
for these. This caused some of the first tension between the Indian Office and the people
of Rocky Boy.
The Chippewa Cree saw farming as a mean to increase their food supply, but if
they farmed successfiilly their rations were reduced. They argued that if they could count
on a confinuous supply of radons, they could build up their farms. But this was not to be.
Commissioner of Indian
Local Janiicrs working the fields.
Affairs Cato Sells
announced in 1917 an
end to the
■guardianship of all
competent Indians."
And the drought of
1917-20 meant an end
to productive gardening
and eliminated most of
the employment
opportunities on the
reservation. Because of
these fiustrating
conditions Rocky Boy
for the first time had a
problem with alcohol
consumption.
The end of the
drought in the 1920's
brought a drop in
agricultural prices.
Wheat was ninety cents
a bushel and hay was
six dollars a ton. It had
been eighteen dollars a
ton during the drought.
The Chippewa Cree
increased the tilled land to over 1200 acres, yet each of seventy-six fanners worked less
than 18 acres per person. In 1922 Rocky Boy"s average income was $17.00 per capita
from labor of all kinds. The Protestant Mission, which in June 1920. had been granted
eighty acres to build a mission on Rocky Boy, ran a handicrafts industi-y which yielded
nearly $200 per month. Still the total earnings on the reservafion equaled only $ 1 8, 1 35.
Ladies with quills nuule a! the Mission.
26
MINING
At one point in Rocky Boy's Reservation history, mining offered a potential
source of income for the people. In 1919 Congress passed legislation authorizing mineral
claims on un-allotted Indian lands. For many reservations this meant a loss of land to the
whites, but at Rocky Boy it meant hope for a pennanent income. In 1927, the Secretary
of the Interior ordered Superintendent Shotwell to survey that part of the reservation
containing potentially recoverable minerals. In 1931 a twenty year lease was granted to
the Bear Paw Mining and Milling Company of Havre to mine gold, lead, silver, copper
and vermiculite. The Bureau of Indian Affairs fixed the royalty at 7.5% of the net value
of minerals taken. The arrangement failed to produce any income for the tribe. The mine
never lived up to its promise. It failed to pay rentals when due, to carry on operating and
developing work obligated under the lease, and it refused to take necessary steps to
prevent caving of the mine and thus created a hazard on the reservation.
The development of natural gas and oil resources on the reservation proved to be
a more lucrative venture for the Chippewa Cree, increasing tribal income to about
$90,000 annually as of 1975, with the potential for added income in the future.
CATTLE INDUSTRY
Though the reservation's grazing lands cannot support enough cattle to provide a
living for all of its people, (some experts say the reservation could only support 1600-
1800 head), from time to time certain individuals have been able to make a decent living
raising cattle. For instance, in 1928 three individuals owned a total of 250 cattle. Those
three families were fairly prosperous for the 1920's. In those years much grazing land
was still leased to MacNamara and Marlow Company Limited, which prevented the
expansion of cattle raising on the reservation. But in 1933 the lease was tenninated and
an attempt was made to
tt'l^
establish a viable cattle
industry on Rocky Boy.
Between 1931 and 1935.
Rocky Boy increased its
cattle herd from under
400 to over 1500 head.
But the drought reduced
the herd once again.
People became
discouraged trying to
keep a few abandoned
cattle alive.
In 1936 the worst
Local ranchers branding cattle drought in the history of
Montana hit the reservation. It wiped out all progress in one year. All the range grass
died, there was no hay for winter feed. Insects finished off what the drought failed to kill.
They were able to save 350 head of cattle by shipping them off to Dixon.
In 1937 a loan from the Emergency Relief Administration helped the Chippewa
Cree establish a hay enterprise. It was operated on lands acquired under the purchase
program. The first crop was in 1938. They raised some cattle and hoped to provide a
basis for establishment of cattle industry at Rocky Boy. By 1940 the reservation herd
27
was back to 1000 head. The hay enterprise provided year round work for six men and in
1939 and 1940 showed a modest profit.
DR^ FORKS FARM
Civilian Conscnrilion Corps (CCCj Ccntenniiil Camp
located at Sa)uh Creek.
In 1972 Dry Fork Farms was created as a state chartered tribal enteiprise. using
once leased lands. It cultivated a total of 4600 acres of which 2300 were planted in
wheat. Dry Fork is a cooperative
^^- venture. Individual tribal
members can participate by
adding their farm units to the
project. Dry Forks takes over a
person's assignment on a five
year lease and the member gets
24% of all profits from the land.
Thirty people are employed in
the summer months, ten in the
winter (1972).
OTHER TRIBAL
ENTERPRISES
In past years there have
been other money making
enterprises on the reservation; a
sawmill, a flour mill, and an
organized handicrafts industry.
In 1928. Superintendent Shotwell
purchased a portable sawmill. It
was located at the fork of Muddy
Creek. The mill meant the
people could plane their own
lumber, make and treat fence
posts, and make door frames.
- Fire destroyed the sawmill in
1938. In 1940 it was rebuilt.
Though the sawmill is gone
today, a post and pole plant
survives, which employs ten to fifteen
people year round (now closed).
The flour mill was purchased
under Wooldridge"s authority in 1930.
In 1932. 1500 acres were planted in
wheat, oats, and rye. In 1934 the Hour
mill processed 400.000 pounds of
tlour. That used to be the best flour,
the older people say! The reser\'ation
kept 253.527 pounds for their own use
and sold the surplus. In good years the
A ^
Rock} Boy Flour Mill was located where Senior Citizen
Center now stands.
Flour produced at Rocky Boy Flour Mill.
28
flour mill supplied some of the needs of Ft. Belknap and Ft. Peck Indian Reservation.
The flour mill building still stands, though it was not used after 1938 (no longer exists).
The Lutheran Mission supported the handicrafts efforts. When the Gables were at
the Mission they would cut out moccasins, put out needles, thread and beads, and help
people that way. Little girls would help their mothers with the easy part of beading and
pretty soon they would know how to do it. The finished beadwork was taken to
Browning where all of it could be sold. Also the Arts and Crafts Association trom
Billings came to the reservation twice a month and paid a good price for beadwork and
other crafts.
ROOSEVELT'S NEW DEAL
Franklin D. Roosevelt became President of the United States in 1933 during the
depression. He wanted to help people through these hard times. His "New Deal"" created
jobs for people. Under the
New Deal, the Rocky Boy
Agency had a legal and moral
obligation to provide
maximum work under the
W.P.A (Works Progress
Administration), LE.C.W.
( Indian Emergency
Conservation Work), and
C.C.C. (Civilian
Conservation Corps). The
availability of employment
for cash combined with the
drought of 1936 meant that
the Chippewa Cree
abandoned their assignments,
sold their cattle and sought
employment in the public
works programs. The
government had been ready
to expand the reservation and
finance the establishment of a
viable economy based on
cattle, but the W.P.A was the
down fall of the cattle
industry on Rocky Boy.
Construction of Boiwcau Dam 1937-40. Starting in 1933 the
government work projects did accomplish some good things at Rocky Boy. Brush was
cleared and roads were built into the forests. Switchbacks were built to the top of
Centennial Mountain and a lookout placed there. Firebreaks were completed where
needed. An inigation ditch was built near Box Elder Creek. Between 1933 and 1934
houses were built on assignments. At that time a house could be built for five hundred
dollars. Bonneau Dam, named for a family who lived there, was also a product of the
Clearing brush to build roads.
29
New Deal. It was built in the years 1937-40. A camp was set up at the sawmill to plane
lumber and make fence posts. Enough families lived at the mill for a time to warrant a
school being built there. There was a school at Bonneau Dam, too, while it was being
built.
RELOCATION
Responding to a new government program in 1942, many people at Rocky Boy
were shipped off the resei"vation to such places as Chicago and Los Angeles. Relocation
was what the government called it. People were supposed to learn how to make a living
in the "outside world." Often they were sent to schools to learn certain job skills. Then
World War II broke out. The war nearly ended all development programs on Indian
reservations. The young men were lost to the military. Other able-bodied sought
employment off the resei-vation. For Rocky Boy people, migratory labor in Idaho and
Montana was attractive.
DEEP FREEZE OF 1948-49
In the winter of 1 948-49 temperatures in the northern plains states fell to record
lows. Emergency airlifts of hay, food, and clothing kept people and cattle alive. There
was hardly any money for Rocky Boy's relief because most was going to the reservations
in North and South Dakota. Malnutrition stalked Rocky Boy. Concerned citizens spoke
out in their behalf Senator Mike Mansfield finally sent the Red Cross to help. They
found the people sick and malnourished.
Early in 1 949 the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Business Committee made a
last effort to gain realistic congressional support for Rocky Boy. Senator James E.
Mun-ay and Congressman Wesley D'Ewart jointly introduced a bill in the House and
Senate to rehabilitate the reservation, "to lay a stable foundation on which Indians can
engage in diversified economic activities and reach a standard of living equal to others,
looking forward to withdrawal of federal services and supervision."
The bill asked for government financing of off-reservation employment because
the land could never offer a livelihood for the entire population. It also proposed an on-
going program of land purchase because raising cattle might be the only hope for
economic development on Rocky Boy.
The bill requested a $600,000 fund for livestock purchases repayable at a low
interest rate over a twenty-five year period, loans of up to $1,404,000 for physical
improvements and education, and a gift of $915,000 to the Business Committee to be
used as they saw fit. The bill was meant to get the Chippewa Cree on their feet and allow
them to create their own economic base so they would not have to continue to be
dependent on the federal government. Like so many other rehabilitation bills, it died
without congressional action.
THE PRESENT DAY RESERVATION
In the 1960's the Bureau of Indian Affair offered a modest program to stimulate
tourism, sports, and hunting, and fishing, but no fundamental improvements were
forthcoming. Most petipic working on the reservation were W(Mking for the government.
Fewer than one adult in fi\ c had a nongovernmental source of income. Some found
seasonal employment, but at least half were chronically unemployed.
30
In the 1970"s The Chippewa Cree Crafts Cooperative was in operation, producing
traditional patchwork qui Us and beadwork. A general store and gas station were
operating. Coal was being mined. Baldy Butte Inn and Ski Bowl were tribally owned
and operated. Leasing land to non-members was bringing some dollars to the tribe. And
the development of natural gas, vermiculite, and columbium was being proposed.
But to the present day the reservation carries the same problem it had when it was
first established: too many people, too little land. Many people can fmd no employment
on the reservation and are forced to go away to work. The challenge facing today's
Rocky Boy is to create employment for its many members who prefer to live and work on
the reservation.
Square Butte with Sweet Grass Hills in the far back ground
Youth Camp with Baldy Butte in background
Horses next to Housing Projix i m Bn.x i.Ulcr
31
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
The following photo are the staff that put this "Histor>' of Rocky Boy's Indian
Reservation" together in the 1970's, when they were working for a Research
Program at Rocky Boy School. Along with the Cultural Informants, special thanks
go to people that were interviewed such as. Four Souls, Mary Lodge Pole, Elizabeth
Belgarde, Paul and Leona Mitchell, Tom Saddler, Fanny Sun Child, and Paul Little
Sun. A big thanks to Rocky Boy School for allowing Stone Child College to share
this history and these photos with the State of Montana.
The original photos that were in the history paper were not used in this document because
of damages to copies and we did not have access to the original photos. Therefore we
replaced them with relevant pictures of the time period.
i.
Back Row Left to Right; Lain "'Spud"" Denin' (Printer). Robert .Munc (Bilingual Uiieeioi). \ emon The
Boy (Director of Production Center). Alfred Young Man (Assistant Director). Sam Windy Boy Sr.
(Cultural Informant). Phyllis Parker (Secretary). Joe Small (Cultural Infonnant). Walter Denny (Cultural
Inl'orniant). Art Raining Bird (Cultural Informant).
Front Row Left to Right: Lynn Baker (Linguist). Louis Raining Bird (Cultural Informant). Mario Patacsil
Sr. (Photographer)
Stone Child College would like to thank the 200H Elder Commission for their approval on July 18, 2008
and the Rocky Boy Institutional Reyie\\' Board for their approval on July 22, 2008, allowing the College to
use this document, in sharing Rocky Boy histoiy with the State of Montana.
32
i
4
33
Chapter 2
A Contemhomnj T-(htor\j ofl^ochj "Roij 's
Reservation
Written b> Dr. Nate St. Pierre
34
A Contemporary History of Rocky Boy's Reservation
By Nate St. Pierre, Ed. D.
This chapter of the Rocky Boy History Project (RBHP) covers the years from
1979 to 2008. There are obviously antecedents to many of the historic events that took
place during this period. It is the hope of the author that some of the items mentioned
herein might stimulate memories and evoke further thoughts of the readers so that, later,
other noteworthy pieces of history might be woven into this era of Rocky Boy"s past.
This chapter is not intended to be an exhaustive chronology, but it is meant to provide an
overview and perspective of history as it pertains to the RBHP. Included in this 30-year
timeframe is a collection of citations from primary source documents, personal anecdotes
and reflections from the historical record. Every attempt was made to be accurate as to
names, dates, and events; however there may be some discrepancies in numerical data
that was derived from varying sources.
Population Demographics
The data for population statistics for the Rocky Boy"s Reservation (also known as
Rocky Boy) varies according to the source. At first glance, it appears to be inconsistent,
but it is clear that there is a general population growth trend over the last 30 years. The
Tribal Enrollment Office houses current infomiation on the number of enrolled tribal
members and their residence (both on and off the reservation). There are also census-
types of information that have attempted to assess the number of residents, household,
and employment information. Because of the data collection methodology and purpose of
data usage, the two infonnation sources may not corroborate for a particular point in
time. Nonetheless, it is clear that the population continues to increase both in total
enrollment and in residents at Rocky Boy.
The total resident Indian population of Rocky Boy was 1.749 in April of 1978.
Nearly 2/3 (64%) of the on-reservation residents were under the age of 24.
The total number of enrolled tribal members was 3,870 in 1988 with 2,484 living
on or near the reservation. Approximately 64% of the reservation population [was] under
the age of 24. There were 1,386 living off the reser\'ation (Bureau of Indian Affairs,
1988).
The total tribal enrollment [was] 4,152. with 2,765 members as residents
(Chippewa Cree Tribe, Summary, 1993).
By 1997. "The total enrollment of the Chippewa Cree Tribe [was] 4.931 with an
on-reservation population of 3.292" (Chippewa Cree Tribe. 1996-97. p. 1)
In 1998 the population was about 3.500 (according to water rights testimony). At
that time, the population was expected in increase at an average annual growth rate of at
least 3%. This means that the population would be about 8.500 by the year 2025 and
expected population of about 16,000 in the year 2045.
The Rocky Boy"s Indian Reservation has the youngest median age of Montana's
seven reservations at 20.5 and the largest average family size at 4.40. This compares to an
average family size of 2.99 for Montana. In 2000 the population [was] 2.676 at Rocky
Boy (Ivanova. 2000). Though it's Montana's least populated reservation. Rocky Boy's
has seen the biggest jump in its population — 37% since 1990 (Ivanova, 2000).
In 2000, the U.S. Census Bureau listed the population of the Rocky Boy's Indian
Reservafion at 2,676. Similar data [indicated] that there [was] a total of 4,441 individuals
35
living on the Rocky Boy"s Indian Resenation (Bureau of Indian Affairs. 2003). Roughly,
65% of the population was between 25-44 years of age.
According to the 2000 U.S. Census Bureau, some demographic features of Rocky Boy
include:
• A young (49% from ages to 19) and rapidly growing (nearly 5% annually)
population
• Only 12'^o of the tribal members were home-owners, whereas the other 88% were
in mutual help homes or low-income rental units
• An unemployment rate that fluctuated between 35% (summer) and 70% (winter)
• 63% of those who are employed were in management, professional, and related
service occupations
• The largest sectors of the service industry (40%) were in education, health, and
social services
• Only 4% of those employed were in retail/wholesale trade
• The median family income was $22,429
• 38% of the families were living below the poverty level
[St. Pierre, N. (a), 2007].
In 2004 the tribal enrollment office reported that the tribal enrolled membership
was 5,470 and 1 ,923 were under 2 1 years old.
In a study conducted by RJS & Associates, Inc. in the spring of 2005, the
population was recorded as 3,198. The total number of enrolled tribal members was more
than 6.000. The population of Rocky Boy's Reservation was. at that time, made up of
74.9% between the ages of 18-64 with only 5.5% under age 5 and 19% were over 65. It
was estimated that the current annual population growth rate was at 7.41%.
By August 2006, the number of enrolled adult members of the Chippewa Cree Tribe
residing on the reservation was 1.591 and the number of enrolled children (younger than
18 years old) living on the reservation was 1.208 for a total of 2,799. The reservation
population, at that time, was estimated to be growing at a rate of 1 0% annually according
to the Indian Health Service: the population was expected to double by the year 2025.
The total number of enrolled Chippewa Cree is 5,656 as of March 2008 (State of
Montana, 2008). Among the residents of Rocky Boy, almost half (46%) are under the age
of 18.
Land and Agriculture
&■
Located in north central Montana, Rocky Boy is isolated by geography, weather,
and economics. Rocky Boy is considered "frontier" b> most national standards.
"Frontier" means extremely rural and isolated. Rocky Boy is the smallest of all seven
Montana Indian reservations. It is located in Hill County (the sixth largest in Montana)
with a landmass of 4,921 square miles. The population density is only 1.56 people per
square mile. The Reserv ation is approximately 30 miles south of Havre (a population of
approximately 10,000 residents) and 100 miles north of Great Falls (a population of
approximately 80,000 residents).
36
The original reservation consisted of 56,035 acres and in later years more land
was added until the reservation reached its present size of more than 122,000 acres
through purchases from non-Indians and the State of Montana. The reservation is mostly
100% trust land, meaning that individual tribal members do not own the land, but that the
land is held in trust by the federal government. Such land cannot be used as collateral to
access bank loans or other capital.
The reservation contains numerous residential land "assignments" where
individual homes are built. Only 12% of the tribal members are home-owners. Today, the
reservation also contains several "housing clusters," which constitute 88% of the housing
units. These clusters include: Agency, Azure Site. Blue Tower, Bonneauville. Box Elder,
Butter Cup, Country View, Duck Creek, Haystack, Laredo, Lower Road, Parker Canyon,
Parker School, Prairie View, St. Pierre Road, Sunny View, Upper Butter Cup, and Wild
Rose.
The reservation land base in 1979 totaled 107,613 acres. The land base was
1 15,000 acres in 1993. (Chippewa Cree Tribe, Summary, 1993). The land base increased
to 122,259 acres by 1997. This included a mixture of farmland, prairie, rolling hills, and
mountains (Chippewa Cree Tribe, 1996-97).
By 1997, there were approximately 11,000 acres of commercial timberland,
which had the potential to yield five million board feet of lumber annually (Chippewa
Cree Tribe, 1996-97. p. 9). "Tribal land resources management falls under the
administration of the Tribal Natural Resources Department, which coordinates efforts
between industry, the Tribe, the tribal members, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, other
technical assistance sources, and relevant stakeholders" (Chippewa Cree Tribe.
Summary, 1993, p. 2).
Reservation Land Use in Acres (1997)
Livestock Grazing
77.317
Dryland Farming
14.362
Irrigated Farming
964
Forest
19.095
Wildlands (wildlife refuges, etc.)
80
Other non-agricultural lands
11.177
Total
122.995
(Chippewa Cree Tribe. 1996-97. p. 10)
The 1984 Mount Centennial Fire burned 10% of the Rock) Bo>"s Reservation.
The Lost Canyon Fire of 1988 impacted areas in the Sandy Creek and Muddy Creek area
before it was suppressed. The summer of 1988 was also the time that nearly 1/3 of
Yellowstone National Park had burned.
The worst tornado to ever hit Rocky Boy happened in 1988. The tornado came
from the south devastating a lot of timber on Baldy Butte (Bear Paw Mountains), then
came down Eagle Creek and seemed to bounce here and there until it stopped at the
corrals near East Fork Dam (R. St. Pierre, personal communication, August 2008).
In the late 1970s there was a program that helped indixiduals get started in the
cattle business. This program was called the Heifer Project International Program. The
program donated 200 head of cattle to Rocky Boy/Dry Fork Fanns. These 200 cattle were
then given to 19 individuals under a cattle repayment-type arrangement. The individuals
would reimburse one heifer for each cow they initially received.
In the early 1980"s. the Chippewa Cree Tribal Business Committee stopped
leasing tribal grazing lands to non-Indians. Instead these grazing lands were only to be
used b} Indian cattle operators. "In 1989. the Chippewa Cree Tribe purchased a farm of
37
approximately 3.300 acres from Mr. Raymond Tovve. of Laredo. Montana" (Chippewa
Cree Tribe, 1993. Summary, p. 3). This fann became Stone Man Farm and Ranch. The
land purchased by the tribe included an irrigation system and 2,000 acres was used for
dryland fanning that would support crops such as spring wheat, winter wheat, barley, and
a small amount of hay. Stone Man Fann and Ranch also supported 120 head of Angus
cattle.
Chippewa Cree Meats
An Economic Development Grant was obtained to build a Meat Market in the late 1980s. That market
was called Chippewa Cree Meats.
The original idea of the meat market was to butcher our own beef that we were raising at our Dry Fork
Famis. This way we thought we could sell the meat at a cheaper price than other local merchants. In
particular this would be a way for our elderly people to afford to purchase meat at a lower price. We
would also pro\ide more of the types of meats that our tribal members enjoy like boiling meat,
hamburger, etc.
Many small meat markets in Montana were closing at that time so we were able to buy the equipment
that was needed for fairly cheap. Students from Stone Child College built the building. A tribal
member, Victor Patacsil. who was a USDA meat inspector in the Northwest, returned to Rocky Boy to
operate the meat market.
Chippewa Cree Meats eventually closed. The building was later converted to a grocery store. That
grocePi store is now called Gramma's Market. (Stor\ by Roger St. Pierre, Sr.. August 2008)
(ii(inii)iii 's Miirkcl and Bear Paw Casino
There was a short period of time in the 1990"s where the Bureau of Indian Affairs,
through the Stone Child College Tribal Business Infonnation Center, offered some loans
to Chippewa Cree tribal members. Approximately $200,000 was available for small
business development. Several individuals received loans to enter the cattle business.
38
Dry Fork Farms and Stone Man Farms are modem tribally owned and operated
enterprises that produce small grains on the 9,000 acres of cropland and the tribal cattle
here grazes the 9,000 acres of rangeland. The tribal herd consists of 280 cows and 24
bulls, mostly of an Aberdeen-Angus-Hereford mix. The tribe has developed a 100-head
feedlot operation on the Dry Fork Farm to provide meat for the Chippewa Cree Meats.
3,000 head of individually owned cattle and 43 horses graze on the reservation grazing
lands. Winter feed for this livestock is grown on the 963 acres in alfalfa and there are 500
acres of developed pastures (Chippewa Cree Tribe, 1996-97, p. 10). Today, there are
about 38 enrolled cattle operators on the Rocky Boy's Reservation who pay grazing fees
for about 3,000 head of cows.
National Indian Beef Products
The Chippewa Cree Tribe had an organization called the National Indian Beef Products. The idea
of this organization was to use the 300 or 400 black hided cattle owned by Dry Fork Farms and
cross those cows with a particular type of bull called Saler. It was claimed that this particular
cattle cross would produce a carcass that is about 90% cattle grade Choice.
The 500-pound calf would be sent to a feed lot where it would increase in weight to about 1000
pounds. That animal would then be slaughtered. The meat would then be sold to Indian casinos
around the United States. (Story by Roger St. Pierre. Sr.. August 2008)
The total amount of revenue to the Chippewa Cree Tribe from oil and gas for the years
1989 to 1995 was $1,127,105, which is broken down as follows:
Oil and Gas Revenues
Year
Amount
1989
$112,040
1990
$170,775
1991
$160,401
1992
$92,101
1993
$205,347
1994
$231,580
1995
$154,861
Total
$1,127,105
One MCF is a
thousand cubic feet
of gas.
One MCF is actually
a small amount of
gas. A good gas well
might be able to
produce 500 MCF
per day.
In 1995 the gas price per MCF averaged $1.23. There were 20 producing gas
wells and three commutati\e agreements on the Rocky Boy's Reserxation as of June 1.
1997. It is woi1h noting that this report only goes up to 1995 (R. St. Pierre, personal
communication, August 2008). Ostensibly, there has since been a renewed interest in oil
and gas drilling on the Rocky Boy's Reservation, but the financial data is limited. By the
end of 1997, there were 27 active wells. Royalty payments from the sale of natural gas
were the largest income source to the Tribe (Chippewa Cree Tribe. 1996-97). Between
1977 and 1997, approximately 9 million cubic feet (MCF) was produced from wells at
Rocky Boy (Chippewa Cree Tribe, 1996-97, p. 2).
39
Wind Energy
Standard wind power and wind speed classifications range from Class 1 (the lowest wind power
density) to Class 7 (the highest wind power density).
Typical economically developable wind power classifications are Class 3 and higher.
In June 2004, the Chippewa Cree Tribe entered into an agreement with
Distributed Generation Systems. Inc. (Disgen) to determine the renewable energy
resources at Rocky Boy. The tribe was especially interested in the development of a wind
project. A comprehensive feasibility study could not have been conducted at that time
since there was insufficient wind data and market indicators available. However, Disgen
did conclude in their assessment that (a) interconnection of a small wind project to the
existing transinission system is fially feasible; (b) the tribe should limit the size of the
project according to the current grid facilities; (c) a wind project between 5 inegawatts
(MW) and 37MW could be built and should be based on economic conditions (Gordon,
2005). By July 2006. Disgen did obtain wind resource assessment data for Wild Horse
Ridge and this data revealed that there was a Class 3 Wind Resource in that area.
Manufacturing
Rocky Boy Manufacturing Company was established in the late 1980s as a light-to-heavy metal fabrication
business. The company manufactured products such as structural steel for buildings and bridges. At one
time, the United States Anny offered the company a $500,000 contract to manufacture trailer beds.
It's goals were to a) achieve profitability; b) to utilize their position as a minority-owned business to
establish themseh es in the Department of Defense and other government agencies markets as a prime
and/or subcontractor; c) to provide window security grills for private businesses and public institutions; and
d) to become certified as a participant in the Small Business Administration 8(a) Program and become
eligible for federal set-aside contracts for minority-owned firms (Chippewa Cree Tribe, summary page 6.
1993). The Rocky Boy Manufacturing Company later transformed itself and became Rocky Boy Industries.
(Story by Roger St. Pierre. Sr.. August 23, 2008)
Gaming
There were at least three small "gatnbling halls" operating at one time or another
up through the late 1970"s at or near the Rocky Boy Agency. The first actual casino, a
tribal enterprise, opened in the mid-1980"s and continues to operate today. It was part of
the 4-Cs complex (Chippewa Cree Casino & Cafe). The casino is located in one building
near the Agency and is currently known as Bear Paw Casino [St. Pierre, N. (b), 2007].
The Chippewa Cree Gaming Commission was fomied in the early 1990"s. It
consists of five people who are appointed by the Chippewa Cree Business Committee.
The Commission is responsible for ensuring that casino operations and any other gaming
activity on the Rocky Boy's Reservation meet all federal, state, and tribal laws and
regulations. The Commission adopted a Gaming Ordinance on June 14. 1993 to guide its
activity.
In May of 2005, Dr. Robert Swan, CCCDC business manager, and Ken Writing
Bird, Chippewa Cree Gaming Commission Chainnan and tribal councilman, met with a
group of financiers (a company refen-ed to as NORAM) in Missoula, Montana to discuss
40
possible opportunities to build a sizeable casino at Rocky Boy. After all the necessary
financing, architecture, and related business arrangements were made at a later date, the
Northern Winz Casino opened at the end of February 2007. It was approximately 20,000
square feet and housed 350 gaming machines and Poker card games.
Northern Winz Casino
The State and the Chippewa Cree Tribe signed an Amendment to the Interim
Compact between the Chippewa Cree Tribe and State of Montana regarding Class III
gaming on the Rocky Boy"s Reservation in March 2008. The amended compact updates
the amended 1993 compact. The 2005 and 2008 amendments allows 400 Class III
machines with payouts of $2000 in addition to other fonns of gambling that are legal in
Montana.
Federal law completely preempts State law regarding gaming on Indian Reser\ations
It requires States to negotiate in good faith to reach gaming compacts to provide for
gaming on Indian lands. In compliance with federal law. Montana has a Class III
Compact with the Chippewa Cree Tribe.
Pembina Settlement
In 1955 the Chippewa Cree Tribe and four other Chippewa Tribal groups filed a
lawsuit against the U.S. Government wherein they wanted to be paid or reimbursed for
lands that were taken or purchased by the Government for only 10 cents per acre in 1905.
This land claim, or lawsuit, became known at the 10 Cent Treaty or the Pembina Land
Claim.
The Chippewa Cree Tribal Council voted and decided that they no longer wanted
to be a part of this lawsuit. As a result, in 1970, the Tribal Council's request was
presented the U.S. Court of Claims. Through this Court, the fi\ e Judges issued a court
order that said "the Chippewa Cree Tribe and Joe Corcoran should be and hereb\ are
dismissed as Plainfiffs in Docket 221 dated at Washington D. C. this 30"^ day of June,
1970."
41
When I was elected to the Tribal Council ni 1980 I found out about the Court of Claims decision made in 1970.
I made a trip to Washington D.C. to meet with Congressional leaders to discuss reinstatement of the Chippewa
Cree Tribe back into the Pembina Land Claim. I also went to Chicago. Illinois to meet with Mr. Mills, the
attorney who represented the other four Chippewa Tribal groups who were part of the Pembina Land Claim. 1
was successful in getting the Chippewa Cree Tribe reinstated back into the Pembina Land Claim.
Between 1987 and 1989, almost every person who was enrolled with the Chippewa Cree Tribe received this
Chippewa money. It did not make any difference whether you were a Chippewa with only Chippewa blood,
or a Cree with only Cree blood. All you had to be was enrolled with the Chippewa Cree Tribe in order for you
to recei\e this money. (For the young people who reached their 18"' birthday after December 31". 1982 they
received this Pembina mone\ but they often called it their "18 money").
The amount of money that was received by the Chippewa Cree Tribe as their share of the total Pembina monies
was $13,150,213. Of that money, the Tribe distributed SIO.197.076 to indixiduals. The remaining $2,953,137.
or 22% of the total amount issued to the Chippewa Cree. plus interest earned on that principle money, was put
into a U.S. Government account for the Chippewa Cree Tribe to be used in any of four areas: Economic
De\ elopment; Land Purchase: Recreation: and Tribal Administration. The tribe can only use (spend) the interest
earned on the principle and the principle must be kept in the account in perpetuity.
(Story by Roger St. Pierre. Sr. August 2008)
There were basically i'lw qualifications that must ha\e been met by indi\'iduals
in order for them be eligible to receive monies or "per capita" pa\nients from the
Pembina funds that were paid by the U.S. Government.
The qualifications were:
1. They must ha\ e been at least W Pembina blood.
2. They must ha\e been a Citizen of the United States.
3. They must have been living as of December 31. 1982.
4. They must be enrolled or were lineal descendants
of enrolled members of the people who were on
the tentative roll of May 31. 1917.
Tobacco Asreenient
ty'
On August 24. 1992. there was a Tobacco Tax Cooperative Agreement between
the Chippewa Cree Tribe and the State of Montana. The basic premise was that the
amount of tobacco tax that the Tribe receives shall be determined by multiplying 150% of
the Montana per capita tobacco tax collected for the calendar quailer times the total
number of enrolled members li\ing on the Reservation. The agreement was renewed on
January 1, 2006 for a 10-year period.
Water Rights and Issues
Responsible management oi' resources must be principally guided in a manner
tiiat allows future generations to inherit a healthy environment that balances traditional
42
lifestyles and a modem economy. This should embody a prosperous and diverse economy
that models the strengths of the Chippewa Cree people and their conscientious protection
of natural resources.
"The Safety of Dams Project was contracted by the Chippewa Cree Tribe in May
1992. The Bonneau Dam Reservoir was deemed one of the [least safe] dams in the
nation" (Chippewa Cree Tribe. 1996-97. p. 22).
In the early 1990s, a community development effort put forth a comprehensive
20- year Economic and Community Development Plan. This plan identified community
supported strategies that could be achieved through the ftmds authorized for the
Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy 's Reservation Indian Reserved Water Rights
Settlement and Water Supply Enhancement Act of 1999. This $54 million settlement
created economic opportunities and the need for technical professionals. The project also
met one of the objectives of the North Central Montana Regional Water Coordinating
Committee. The 20-year plan produced a list of priorities for several major projects that
were to be executed as a part of the Water Rights Compact. For example, projects were
designed to provide for the expansion of water reservoirs, streambed improvements,
irrigation systems, and roadway improvements.
Montana Law established or claimed that the state's water resources were the propert>' of the State of Montana and that the
water rights in Montana are guided by the appropriation doctrine which simply means T' in time T' in right. In addition, the
Montana Supreme Court issued an order requiring every person claiming ownership of an e.xisting water right to file a
statement of claims for that right to that water with the Montana DNRC by .lanuary 1. 1982.
As a result, the State of Montana was going to take the Tribe to court o\'er that water so we had to either go to court to fight
for our water or we could negotiate to try to get as much water as we could. We soon found out by our research that we had
only two basic ways to prove how much water we could claim as a water right. One way was to use the appropriation
doctrine but that method did not do us much good because many non-Indians had filed water right claims way before us
even as far back as the 1880"s and our water rights claim could not become effective until 1916 (that simpl\ meant that
those non-Indians could use the water first before we could use it). The other way was to use what is called PIR acres. This
didn't help us either because even though the reservation is over 120.000 acres we could onK use about 500 PIR acres. In
addition to these there were other Indian tribes who went to court over their water rights and those non-Indian courts did not
treat the Indians very good as far as water rights are concerned. Knowing all of these things we choose to negotiate for our
water rights to try and get as much as we could get.
Since the Federal Government was also in\ olved. we had to negotiate with the Federal Government and the State of
Montana at the same time. This started our negotiations that lasted about 15 years before our water rights were finally
settled.
The Montana-Chippewa Cree Compact, or negotiated document that quantified the Tribe's water rights and established
administration system, was agreed upon and ratified or approxed by the Chippewa Cree Tribe on February 2 1 . 1997. This
Compact was approved by the Montana Legislature on April 10. 1997. and signed by Montana Go\emor Marc Racicot on
April 1 1. 1997. "May 21. 1997 was a historic day for the Chippewa Cree Tribe and the State of Montana. It was on this day
the Tribe and State signed the Water Rights Agreement" (Chippewa Cree Tribe, 1996-97, p. 16).
The Compact established the Tribe's water rights to the Big Sandy. Bo.x Elder, and Beaver Creeks on the Reser\ation and
contemplates tribal rights to supplemental water for drinking. The Compact pro\ides for 9260 acre-feet of water per year
from the Big Sandy Creek and its tributaries, and 740 acre feet per year from Beaver Creek. The Tribe reserves the right to
divert from surface water fiows for irrigation and other uses from the Lower Big Sandy Creek. Gravel Coulee, and from Bo.x
Elder Creek. On Beaver Creek, the Tribe reser\es the right to divert from surface water flows for recreational uses, subject
to a requirement that 280 acre feet be returned to the stream.
The intricate details of the Water Settlement between the Federal Go\emment and the Chippewa Cree Tribe were finally
worked out and agreed upon. This settlement was presented to the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs and Energy and Natural
resources Committees by testimony of Roger St. Pierre on June 24. 1998 urgently requesting the U.S. Congress to act
expeditiously and to enact this Bill (Bill S. 1899) into law during that session of Congress.
43
This Bill was signed into law on December 9. 1999 by U.S. President William Jefferson Clinton. This Law was
called the Chippewa Cree Indian Reser\ed Water Rights Settlement and Water Supply Eiiliancement Act of 1999.
This was the only Indian Water Rights Settlement approved by President Clinton during his entire temi in office.
In addition to recei\ing water rights to 10.000 acre feet of reservation water we also received 10.000 acre feet of
water from Tiber Dam. plus funds for projects that included $ 25 Million dollars for on reservation water sources for
Bonneau Dam. East Fork Dam, Brownis Dam. and Towe Dam. $3 Million dollars for water Compact Administration,
$ 3 Million Dollars for Economic De\'elopment and $ 15 Million dollars for future water supply bringing water from
Tiber Dam. (Story by Roger St. Pierre. Sr., August 2008)
The construction for Bonneau Dam stalled in 2003. It was increased in size from
500 acre feet to 5,000 acre feet. East Fork Dam was increased in size fi^om 50 acre feet to
500 acre feet. The enlargements of Bonneau Dam. East Fork Dam. and Brown's Dam
were completed in 2007 by the tribal Safety of Dams Program. The funding for these
project completions was made possible by the Water Settlement.
On May 25. 2007 degreaser solvent for sewage systems was accidentally put into
the water system that served pai1 of Rocky Boy. The tribal Water Resources Departinent
said degreaser used in sewer pipes was taken from a container similar to that holding
chlorine, and put in the water (News from Indian Country. 2007). About 300 households
were affected by the contaminated water supply.
Notable Achievements of Tribal Members
Criteria: This section is intentionally brief. Notable achievements are considered to be
something beyond the "ordinary" in terms of an historic event, establishing a record,
being the first or original of the tribe, or even something unusual or remarkable. The
achievement should be verifiable and based on fact, not speculation or estimation.
Although non-tribal/non-lndian indixiduals may be mentioned (such as being a part of a
team or event), the focus on each notable achievement should be on an enrolled member
of the Chippewa Cree Tribe. In temis of higher education, the note below (adapted from
Wikpedia) helps establish some notable achievements for Chippewa Cree tribal members
and their graduate degrees. In some cases, additional anecdotal infonnation about a
person's career may follow, hut this section should not include a comprehensive list of
accomplishments for each individual (such as a resume or vita). The following format
should be followed: 1 ) year of accomplishment; 2) name of individual; 3) a short
description of accomplishment; 4) any other pertinent infomiation about the individual or
accomplishment; and 5) the source of infomiation. if any.
44
A doctorate is an academic degree that indicates the highest le\el of academic achiexenient.
In some fields, especially those linked to a profession, a distinction is to be drawn between a
first professional degree, an advanced professional degree, and a terminal degree:
A first professional degree is generally required by law or custom to practice the profession without
limitation. It is an academic degree designed to prepare the holder for a particular career or profession in
a field where scholarly research and academic activity are not the work, but rather the practice of a
profession. The training typically emphasizes practical skills over theory and analysis. In many cases, the
first professional degree is also the terminal degree because no further advanced degree is required for
practice in that field even though more advanced academic research degrees may exist. Examples of first
professional degrees include the Doctor of Medicine (MD), the Juris Doctor (JD). and the BSN or RN in
Nursing. These professions are typically licensed or otherwise regulated by a governmental or
government-approved body.
An advanced professional degree provides further training in a specialized area of a particular
profession. Doctoral degrees may be "research doctorates" (awarded on the basis of competency in
research) or "taught doctorates" (sometimes called "professional doctorates" because they are awarded in
professional subjects and awarded on the basis of coursework and specific program requirements).
Examples of research doctorates include the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD DPhil) and Doctor of Education
(Ed.D.). The requirements for obtaining a PhD and other research doctorates typically entails successful
completion of pertinent classes, passing of a comprehensive examination, and defense of a dissertation.
A terminal degree is generally accepted as the highest degree in a field of study. An earned academic (or
research) doctorate is considered the terminal degree in most academic fields. Many professional degrees
are also considered terminal degrees because they are the highest professional degree in the field, even
though "higher" research degrees exist. Some tenninal degrees are not even doctorates.
Wikpedia, 2008.
The achievements of individuals and/or groups are also part of Chippewa Cree tribal
history. The following list is organized in chronological order beginning in 1972, rather
than 1979. This section of the chapter is included to recognize tribal members and their
respective accomplishments.
1972~Allen Parker was the first tribal meinber to become a Lawyer. He graduated from
the UCLA School of Law in 1972 with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and practiced law in
Washington. DC for more than 20 years. While in Washington, DC. he led research
projects on tribal governments for the American Indian Policy Review Commission. He
was the first American Indian to serve as Chief Counsel to the US Senate Committee on
Indian Affairs from 1977-81 and 1987-91. Mr. Parker joined the faculty at The Evergreen
College (Olympia, Washington) in 1997 and served as the Director of the Northwest
Indian Applied Research Institute at The Evergreen College. Mr. Parker currently teaches
in the nation's first graduate school program in tribal management, the Master in Public
Administration: Tribal Government at Evergreen State University.
1977-Robert J. Swan was the first tribal member to earn a doctoral (Ed. D.) degree in
Adult & Higher Education Administration from the University of South Dakota in
Vermillion, South Dakota.
1979~Ervin Watson was the first tribal member to win the Indian National Finals Rodeo
World Championship fitle in Calf Roping. The event was held Salt Lake City, Utah.
1979~Nate St. Pierre (a sophomore at Box Elder High School) and Voyd St. Pierre (a
freshman at Box Elder High School) placed in the Class B & C Northern Divisional
wrestling tournament and both went on to the Montana State tournament held in
45
Hamilton. Montana that year. This was the last year that Box Elder School had a varsity
wrestling team.
1985— Gerry Raining Bird was the first tribal member
to run in the New York marathon.
1985— Eric Watson was the first tribal member to win the
Indian National Finals Rodeo World Championship title in
Team Roping. The event was held in Albuquerque. New
Mexico. Mr. Watson's roping partner was Ken Whyte
(Navajo) from Crownpoint, New Mexico.
Gerry Raining Bird
1986— Irvin "Bobby" Wright was the first tribal member to
earn a doctoral (Ed. D.) degree in the field of Higher Education from Montana State
University in Bozeman, Montana.
1987— Alberta St. Pierre received top honors in the entire nation by being awarded the
Licensed Practical Nurse of the Year from the National Indian Health Ser\ ice. In that
same year, she received the LPN of the Year Award from the Billings Area Indian Health
Service.
1987-The taking of the last buffalo at Rocky Boy. The Chippewa Cree Tribe donated the
buffalo (from the tribal herd) to the Rocky Boy Education Conference Planning group to
be taken, processed, and prepared for the Conference banquet. Members who took part in
the hunt for the buffalo included: Voyd St. Pierre, Nate St. Pierre, and Tim Rosette.
Father Pete Guthneck was given the honor of shoofing the buffalo.
1990-The Box Elder Boys Basketball team (the Bears) won the Montana State Class C
basketball championship. The team members included Virgil Chiefstick, Scott Henderson
(selected as the tournament's Most Valuable Player). Steve Gutierrez, .lerry Henry. Loren
Henderson. Claude LaMere. Pete Azure. Tony Belcourt, Randy Belcourt. Curtis
Monteau, Doug Winchell, Russell Weaving, and Joe-Joe Henry.
1990-LaCrissa St. Pierre was the first tribal member to attend college on a Track
Scholarship at Jamestown College in North Dakota. Prior to enrolling in college, she
attended CM. Russell High School in Great Falls, Montana. As a student athlete on the
CMR varsity team in 1989, she established a school shot put record of 40 feet, three
inches. A year later (1990), she broke the school record for throwing the discus 131 feet.
Both records still stand at CMR High School.
1990— Edward F. Parisian was appointed as the Director as the Office of Indian Education
Programs under the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). In 2007. he was named director (a
senior executive) of the BIA Rocky Mountain Regional Office in Billings. Montana
(Bureau of Indian Affairs, 2007).
1991-Marilyn Collifiower was the first tribal member to win the Indian National Finals
Rodeo World Championship title in BaiTcl Racing.
1992— Elizabeth Olney (Topsky-Monteau) was the first tribal member to be crowned
Miss Indian Nations for 1992-1993.
46
1992— Donny Belcourt was the first tribal member to compete at the U.S. Olympic Track
and Field Trials at 1,500 and 5,000 meters. In 1991, Belcourt made his personal best
times of 3 minutes 41 seconds at 1,500 meters and 13:46.2 at 5,000 meters while training
in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The posted time in the 5,000-meter run earned him 15'*^ in
the national ranking. In the mid 1980s, he was a junior college All-American while
attending the Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas. In 1985, he received a scholarship at
Oklahoma State University, a Division I university located in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
1996— Nate St. Pierre was the first tribal member to earn a doctoral (Ed. D.) degree in the
field of Adult & Higher Education at Montana State University-Bozeman in Bozeman,
Montana.
1997— Alired Youngman was the first tribal member to earn a doctoral (PhD) degree in
Anthropology from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Since January
2007, he has served as the Department Head of the Indian Fine Arts Department at First
Nations University of Canada and also Professor Emeritus in Native American Studies of
the University of Lethbridge.
1997— John "Chance" Houle was the first tribal member to complete a four-year college
degree after being one of the first high school graduates fi-om the Rocky Boy Tribal High
School in 1982. Mr. Houle graduated from the University of Great Falls and later became
a tribal councilman and tribal chairman of the Chippewa Cree Tribe.
1998— The Box Elder Girls Basketball team (the Lady Bears) won the Montana State
Class C basketball championship. They defeated Richey by the score of 38 to 36. Team
members included: LeAnn Montes, Aimee Montes, Pricilla Friede, Dorrina Ojeda,
RaMona Gardipee, Sommer Rosette. Josie Rosette, Kristie Pullin. Tessie LaMere,
Garilee Henderson, Sarah Parisian, Rosemary Bums. Mellody Descharm, and Pricilla
Koop.
1998— The Red Earth Ensemble, an American Indian Drum & Dance Troupe, toured and
performed in nine cities of eastern Germany. The Red Earth Ensemble included tribal
members Nate St. Pierre (manager). Merle Tendoy. Marcel "Whitney" Topsky. Wilford
"Huck" Sunchild. Natasha St. Pien-e. and Franci Taylor (Choctaw/Cheyenne).
2002— Jonathan Windy Boy was the first tribal member to be elected to the Montana State
Legislature. He served in the House of Representatives for House District 32 fi-om 2002
to 2008.
2003— Elizabeth Olney (Topsky-Monteau) was the first tribal member to become a
Medical Doctor. She earned the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in Family Medicine
from the University of Washington in Seattle. Washington.
2003— Lyman Colliflower was the first tribal member to win the Indian National Finals
Rodeo World Championship title in Steer Wrestling.
2004— Stefanie (Fisher) Kujacynski was the first tribal member to earn a doctoral (Ed. D.)
degree in the field of Education from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas in Las
Vegas. Nevada.
47
2004~The first issue of the Rocky Boy Tribal Newsletter was published by the National
Tribal Development Association.
2006--LeAnn Montes earned a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from the University of New
Mexico in Albuquerque. New Mexico. Prior to that she was the first tribal member to
play basketball for a Division I collegiate team (1999-2003). She played four years for
the University of Montana Lady Grizzlies in the Big Sky Region. She graduated with a
degree in Business in 2003.
2008--The Chippewa Cree Tribe adopted the Ojibwa Neiyahw Initiative, a culture-based
approach to community healing, as the new Cultural Resources Department for the tribe.
2008- Aaron Morsette was the first tribal member to earn a doctoral (PhD) degree in
Clinical Psychology ft-om the University of Montana in Missoula. Montana.
2008-Lauren Corcoran was the first tribal member to earn a doctoral (PhanriD) degree in
Pharmacy fi-om the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana. Ms. Corcoran
graduated fi-om Rocky Boy High School in 2002.
Health
In 1994, the Chippewa Cree Tribe, through the Rocky Boy Health Board
(RBHB), entered into a Self-Governance Compact Agreement with the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services and Indian Health Service to assume all fijnctions,
services, and activities that were previously a governmental function of the local health
service unit located at Rocky Boy. The RBHB consists of five of the nine elected
councilman of the Chippewa Cree Tribal Business Committee. The RBHB has the
complete authority to serve in an advisory capacity for matters concerning health care for
the Chippewa Cree Tribe.
Under P.L. 93-638. the Indian Self-Detemiination Act, Title III, Tribal Self-
Governance Demonstration Projects, the compact authorizes the federal agency to
distribute fiands directly to the Chippewa Cree Tribe for the provision of all clinical,
preventive, and contract health services.
Ambulatoiy and
preventive health services are
provided through the direct tribal
program. The RBHB provides
emergency medical services,
community health nursing,
health education, community
health representative services
and transportation.
There are some specialty
clinics that are held routinely at
the clinic. Diabetic and well-
child clinics are scheduled
weekly. A psychiatrist and podiatrist hold clinics each month and other clinics arc held
on an intermittent basis including surgery, orthopedics, development assessment, and
mammography. Audiology is provided once per month by a certified audiologist on site.
48
\,i-Ti>
Clinic
A diabetes program wellness center, as part of the diabetes initiative, officially opened in
May 1999. In March 2006 a much larger community wellness center was completed.
The Rocky Boy Health Board provides aftercare chemical dependency services at
the White Sky Hope Center along with a full range of outpatient services at its facility.
The RBHB offers some additional services such as transportation, pre-orthodontics,
orthodontics, dentures, contact lenses, emergency eye-glasses, medical assistance
programs to fiand patients and a family member to appointments, and hospitalizations.
In 2007, construction of a new Health Clinic was completed. The Chippewa Cree
Tribe opened the Na-toose health clinic on March 27, 2007. The Na-toose Center is
named after the late Poor Coyote, a Cree spiritual leader and healer. The 56,000 square-
foot facility is twice the
size of the old tribal
clinic and houses more
exam rooms, optometry
and dental services, and
state-of-the art
equipment. "The tribe
started the facility with
S2 million of its own
money. The tribe
obtained other grants and
a Department of
Agriculture loan. The
Indian Health Service
[provided] some funds"
(lndianz.com). The S13
million facility is a
complete outpatient and
emergency care clinic.
Along with this new
Health Clinic the Tribe
constructed a new Exercise Facility that includes a swimming pool, basketball court,
exercise equipment, and a walking track.
Chippewa Cree Wellness Center
Housing
From 1963 to 1996, the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Program
provided funds to the Tribe to build about 700 homes. Of these 700 homes, there were
about 350 Mutual Help or Home Ownership homes. The other 350 homes were called
Low Rent Homes.
Simply speaking, the Mutual Help or Home Ownership home is one that is being
purchased by an individual by making monthly payments for 25 years. Low Rent homes
are homes that a person rents on a monthly basis and the home cannot be owned by that
person who rents the home.
49
There is an organization located in Cahfomia known as Walking Shield American Indian Society. One of
the functions or purposes of this organization is to ha\e a working agreement with the U.S. Military
Departments w hereby any excess property that the Military Departments has or might obtain would and
could be gi\ en to Indian Tribes.
After attending a meeting with Walking Shield it was determined that the U. S. Air Force was going to build
brand new houses for Malmstrom Air Force Base at Great Falls. Montana. This meant that the "old'" houses
at Malmstrom would ha\ e to be demolished before new houses could be built where the ""old" houses
pre\iously sat.
A request was made on behalf of the Chippewa Cree Tribe for Walking Shield to obtain and then give these
"old" Malmstrom houses to people on the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation. This request was carried out.
So beginning in 1996 up until March 2005 there were 185 three-bedroom Malmstrom houses brought to
Rocky Boy. Foundations, and in some cases basements, were constructed by the Chippewa Cree Housing
Authority (CCHA) for these houses. The CCHA almost totally renovated these houses before individuals
could mo\e into the house. This renovation included new roof, new siding, new furnace, new paint, roads to
the house, and electricity to the house.
The cost of reconditioning the first group of Malmstrom houses, including moving the house from Great
Falls to Rocky Boy. foundations, and renovation work, amounted to about $30,000 per house.
At least we pro\ided 1 85 houses where people could live. (Story by Roger St. Pierre. Sr., August 2008)
By August 2006. there were 830 homes on the Rocky Boy"s hidian Reservation,
which included 800 occupied homes, 1 1 unoccupied homes, and 19 homes not ready for
occupancy. The average nuinber of occupants per household was 4.5.
Employment
Unemployment was 85% during the winter and 72% in the summer (Chippewa
Cree Tribe. 1996-97, Summary, 1993).
There are three major employers on the Rocky Boy"s Reser\ation: The Chippewa
Cree Tribe (which includes Self Governance Compacts with the Bureau of Indian Affairs
and the Indian Health Service); Rocky Boy Schools; Box Elder Schools. In addition, the
Chippewa Cree Community Development Corporation employs roughly 25 people in
total.
The Community Directory of 2008 gives the following breakdown of employees:
Name of Organization
Number of
Employees
Name of Organization
Number of
Employees
Chippewa Cree Tribe
Chippewa Cree Health Center
Chippewa Cree Business
Committee
9
Office of Health Director
3
Central Ser\ices Finance
24
Alternate Resources
2
Tribal Programs
9
Behavioral Health Program
3
Chippewa Cree Housing
Authority
24
Boys & Girls Club
4
HIP Department
2
Child & Youth lncenti\e
1
Maintenance Department
5
Clinical Nursing
6
Natural Resources Department
21
Contract Health Services
2
Fish & Game
3
Dental
7
Senior Citizens Program
6
Diabetes/Physical Therapy
11
50
Social Services Department
10
Disease Prevention
1
Commodity Program
3
Emergency Medical Services
-)
Police Department
21
Health Board Planning
6
Public Works Department
10
Housekeeping
5
TERO/EEOC/WIA
4
Lab X-ray
4
TANF Department
9
Maintenance
3
Tribal Courts/Judicial
15
Medical Records
6
Water Resources
15
Office of ADP
4
Safety of Dams
3
Office of Clinical Services Med.
5
Office of Environmental Health
6
Box Elder Schools
81
Office of Finance
6
Optometry
2
Rockv Boy Schools
Personnel Management
2
Administration
6
Pharmacy
5
Program Coordinators/Directors
3
Property Management/Supply
2
Clerks/Clerical/Data Entry
6
Public Health Nursing
3
Print Shop Production
2
Tobacco Prevention
1
K-6 Certified Teachers
30
Transportation
6
7-12 Certified Teachers
21
Utihties
3
K-12 Classified Staff
20
Wellness Center
6
Food Sen/ice Staff
6
White Sky Hope Center
9
Transportation
9
Women's Health Program
1
Custodial Maintenance Staff
10
WIC
-)
Head Start Administration
8
3^" Party Billing
3
Head Start Teachers
9
Head Start Teachers Assistants
6
Bear Paw Pastime
6
Early Head Start Educators
8
Head Start Food Service
3
Gramma's Market
9
Head Start
Maintenance/Custodian
4
Head Start Bus Monitors
3
Northern Winz Casino
66
Stone Child College
61
Chippewa Cree Construction
Corporation
5
Bear Paw Casino
14
National Tribal Development
Association
11
Bear Paw Energy
-)
(Chippewa Cree Tribe Commitnin Director}; 2008 and the State of Montana, March 2008)
The total number of jobs for all of the above organizations is 734. Of that. 140
positions are held by non-Indians or American Indians irom other tribal affiliations.
Senior Center
In the summer of 2006. a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new The
Rocky Boy Senior Center Building at its new site near the Chippewa Cree Tribal Office
complex. Construction began soon after and was completed approximately one year later.
The primary source of funds was through a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development through its Indian Community Development Block Grant
Program.
The grant was written by RJS & Associates, Inc.. of Rocky Boy. Other sources of
funding came from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Housing &
51
Community Facilities Program and the Chippewa Cree Tribe. The old senior center,
located at the Rocky Boy"s Agency, was built in the mid-1970s. The community had
"outgrown" the old facility where there was limited office, seating, meeting and parking
space to conduct regular business.
Tribal Infrastructure
Even through 2008, the reservation lacks a comprehensive infrastructure such as
water, sewer, technology, and roads to support large businesses. The reservation does not
have it's own cellular telephone provider, nor a cell phone tower. Cell phone reception
(i.e., signal strength and service) is limited throughout the reservation. Private companies
such as Verizon and Alltel have begun to offer their products and sei"vices to some
patrons at Rocky Boy. Trac ® phones have extreme limitations for usage on the
Reservation. There are few public (pay) telephones at Rocky Boy.
The tribe does not have its own utility company or telephone company. The tribe
owns a propane delivery business (Bear Paw Energy) and it does have a public works
department (including transportation, garbage disposal, engineering, roads construction &
maintenance, and public safety). Most homes and businesses on the resei-vation use
propane gas, wood or pellet stoves, and/or electricity for heating. Most of the reservation
utilizes Hill County Electric and Triangle Telephone Cooperative, Inc. (two sister
companies based in Havre, Montana) for electric and telephone services.
52
Self-Governance
Clii/yycwii Cixc Tnhal Otlkc
In 1993. tlie Chippewa Cree Tribe entered into a federal goxemment appro\ed
program ealled self-governance. This term simply means that the tribal goxeming body
can take o\ er the monies and the programs tliat were prc\ ioush run and operated by the
federal goxemment and the tribal business committee can administer those programs for
themselves. Since the Tribal Business committee began this program in 1993. the tribe
operated all the BIA program for themseh es. This includes programs like roads, forestry,
natural resources, education, law & order, judicial, health, etc. The tribe is also a self-
goxernance tribe under a 1994 compacting agreement with the BIA. "Decentralization
continued through the 198()"s with the addition of self-go\emance legislation that
facilitates federal funding to tribes and allows them great administrati\e authority"
(Kilpatrick. Reed. & Steiner. 1999. p. 2).
Economic Development
The- Indian Self-Detemimation .AlI Amendments of I'^SS (Pub. L. 100-472). authorized the Tribal Self-
Go\emance Demonstration Project tor a 5-year period and directed tlie Secretarx to select up to 20 Tribes to
participate. The purjiose of the demonstration project was to transfer to participating Tribes the control of
funding for. and decision making concerning certain Federal programs, services, functions and acti\ ities or
poiiions thereof. ..After finding that the Demonstration Project had successfulh furthered Tribal self-
detennination and self-go\emance. Congress enacted the "Tribal Self-Go\eniance .Act of 1994". Public Law
103-413 that was signed by the President on October 25. 1994. The Tribal Self-Go\emance Act of 1994
made the Demonstration Project a pemianent program and authorized the continuing participation of those
Tribes already in the program.
What IS Economic De\elopnienf.' hnohes the promotion of the phssical. commercial, technological,
industrial, and or agricultural capacities necessary for a sustainable local communit\ . Economic
de\ elopnient includes acti\ ities and actions that develop sustainable, stable, and dixersitled pri\ ate
sector local economies.
The Chippewa Cree Business Committee, through Ordinance Number 1-91,
adopted the Enterprise Zone Act of 1991. The purpose of the Act was to create
employment and business growth and to stimulate new economic activity on the Rocky
Boy's Reservation. (Chippewa Cree Tribe. Summary. 1993. p. 4).
As a method to provide continual updates periodic evaluations and updates to
long-range plans, the Chippewa Cree Tribe adopted and began utilizing the Strategic
Management/Planning in 1993. This process is utilized to assist the Tribal Government in
establishing goals and objectives through participation and input from community
members.
"Starting in 1995. under self-governance. Rocky Boy's has taken on responsibility
and accountability for its communit) and economic development" (Kilpatrick, Reed, &
Steiner, 1999, p. 2).
In 1995. the late John (Roddy) "Eagle" Sunchild. Sr.. established the National Tribal Development Association
(NTDA) at Rocky Boy. As a non-profit organization. NTDA provides various services for economic
de\ elopment and go\ emance to .American Indian Alaska Natives across the nation. NTDA employs 25 staff
and ser\ es nearly 40 member Tribes. In its ser\ ice to Indian Country. NTDA strn es to "to promote the
economic viability of American Indian and Alaskan Natives by developing cooperative relationships with
pri\ ate sector, public sector and Nati\ e organizations in establishing a foundation for self-sustaining socio-
economic dexelopment initiatnes" (NTD.A. 2008).
In 1998. there were 31 small businesses on file at the Tribal Employment Rights
Office. By 1999. tribal members voiced their opinions about the future of the Reservation
community. They wanted "a higher standard of li\ing. lower unemployment, and a
strong, well-preserved culture. They also [sought] access to more goods and services,
retail stores, entertainment, and recreational acti\ities" (Kilpatrick. Reed. & Steiner.
1999, p. i). Tribal members also called for effective tribal leadership and an accountable
court system. They indicated that "a tribal government and judicial system that is
impartial, transparent, and reputable" is necessary for the future (p. i).
The ultimate goal of the Chippewa Cree Tribe is the achievement of self-
detennination and the elimination of its reliance upon the Federal government. To
accomplish this end. the Chippewa Cree Tribe throughout the years have assessed and re-
assessed their long-range goals.
In years past the Chippewa Cree Tribal Planning staff has operated an economic
development planning program designed to respond to the changing needs of the Rocky
Boy coinmunity. In October 1999, the CCT conducted a major planning retreat which
resulted in the following economic development goal, objectives and activities:
• Goal: "to promote and implement a strong economic de\elopment system that
brings economic self-sufficiency to the tribe."
• Objectives: "to reduce unemployment, meet tribal needs, integrate our culture,
including infrastructure, implement EDA plans and projects, codes, and fund
seeking."
• Activities: "to write a major economic development plan: implement small
businesses; build a tourism package; implement business codes; develop
54
infrastructure, identify and build on tribal strengths and resources; pass a land use
code, build a golf course, casino, and gift shop and seek capital."
In November 1 999, the Tribal Business Council passed a resolution in support of
an Economic Development Task Force, comprised of over 20 appointed tribal leaders,
administrators, and community members. In March 2001, the Economic Development
Task Force became the Chippewa Cree Community De\elopment Corporation (CCCDC)
charged with the mission of implementing economic development activities at Rocky
Boy. Most importantly, it began to administer a program for improving tribal economic
conditions by orchestrating economic planning and development among member entities,
helping the tribal government in planning public works, organizing public and private
investments, and by engaging in research and advisory functions appropriate to the
attainment of the corporation's objectives.
By the spring of 2005, the number of tribal
economic development ventures at Rocky Boy
included: Bear Paw Cafe; Bear Paw Casino; Bear
Paw Energy; Bear Paw Past Time Gas
Station/Convenience Store; Chippewa Cree
Construction Company; Fish & Game Programs;
Gramma's Market; and Native American Bank.
These businesses currently employ some 80 fiill-
and part-time tribal employees and have an annual
payroll of about $1 Million.
.\aavcAn,cncan Bwik I" its effort to pursue an aggressive
economic development strategy, tribal leaders
sponsored an Economic Development Summit in the spring of 2005 to determine specific
aspects of economic development and to set economic development priorities for the next
20 years. This summit yielded major economic development ventures currently in
existence or those that were planned for future development. Future projects include a 50-
Million gallon ethanol production facility, a large-scale plant (which will provide
approximately 42 full-time jobs, 2,000 peripheral jobs, and employment for up to 400
during construction). Other future projects may include: Mini-Mart convenience store;
Truck stop on Highway 87; Forestry Department opportunities; Risk Management; and
Unemployment insurance.
The community was extensively involved in the planning of this project. Tribal
elders, traditional leaders, tribal program staff. Business Committee members, and
community residents all have a keen interest in the development, preservation, and
maintenance of our environmental regulation and protection. All of the foregoing (and
others) were involved in the development of the project's philosophy, goals, objectives,
and activities.
The Northern Winz Casino became a reality in February 2007. This $20 Million
venture employed roughly 140 full-time employees (87% tribal members) in the
beginning. Future plans include an 80-IOO-room hotel, a Convenience Store, and a RV
Park that will all be constructed adjacent to the Casino. The rough estimate for the hotel
is about S 10 to $12 Million and the con\enience store will cost about $1.5 to $2 Million.
The hotel will employ anywhere from 20 to 25 individuals and the C-Store could employ
seven to nine people.
Currently, the Rocky Boy"s Indian Reservation has an annual revenue base of
approximately $52.5 Million. This revenue is generated from the tribal and Health Board
55
self-governance compacts, grants & contracts. Stone Child College, Rocky Boy Schools,
Box Elder Schools, tribal businesses, the National Tribal Development Association, and
other small businesses (including famis & ranches).
The CCCDC"s primar> focus will remain on assisting with the development,
expansion and growth of local businesses. At meetings throughout the reservation, many
of our residents have stated a belief that the solution for our economic problems lies first
at home and second by attracting new businesses to locate here.
Since it was established in 1916. the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation has endured
alanning economic and social conditions. Staggering unemployment, substandard
housing, housing shortages, inadequate health care, grinding poverty, erosion of tribal
languages and culture, limited training and education opportunities, and rural isolation
have been everyday realities. Combined with shrinking federal progi-am monies, under-
funded assistance from the State, practically non-existent public support from local
municipalities, and continuously over-burdened tribal resources, the resounding message
appears to encompass hopelessness and despair. Yet behind this seemingly bleak picture,
a new tapestry of hope and optimism is beginning to appear. No longer willing to accept
Third-World economic under-development on the Reservation, the Chippewa Cree Tribe
is strategically shaping its own destiny and becoming economically self-sufficient.
While the socio-economic hardships and their manifestations at Rocky Boy are
noteworthy, there have been several catalytic events that have begun and will continue to
significantly impact the economic landscape for the CCT and north central Montana.
Indeed, the changing demography, progressive leadership, attractive investment potential,
and the market/labor trends within certain industries have literally primed the pump for
economic and community development at Rocky Boy. But there are still challenges
ahead[St. PieiTc. N. (a). 2007].
Insult' Slunc Child College, llic Jruni entrance
56
References
Bureau of Indian Affairs (1988). Billings Area Office, Data Processing Center.
Bureau of Indian Affairs (April 2003). Indian Ser\ice Population and Labor Force Estimates.
Bureau of Indian Affairs News Release (2007).
http://www.doi.gov/news/07_News_Releases/070504.htnil.
Chippewa Cree Tribe. Rocky Boy"s Reservation. 1996-1997. Unpublished manuscript. Rocky
Boy, MT.
Chippewa Cree Tribe (2008). Community Directory for the Rocky Boy's Reservation. Rock)
Boy, MT: The Chippewa Cree Tribe.
The Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rock> Boy"s Reservation Economic Development Summary
(January 4, 1993). Position Paper, Rocky Boy, MT.
Gordon, K.J. (September 2005). Transmission assessment for the Chippewa Cree Tribe of the
Rocky Boy"s Indian Reservation. Lakewood, CO: Distributed Generation Systems, Inc.
Lidianz.com (March 27, 2007). Chippewa Cree Tribe to open a new healtli clinic.
http://www.indianz.coni/News/2007/002059.asp.
Ivanova, K. (2000). Indian town youngest in nation. Great Falls Tribune.
Iittp://www.greatfallstribune.coni/comniunities/census2000/200 10528/6 18007. html.
Kilpatrick, J., Reed, T., & Steiner, E. (May 1999). Economic Development Analysis for Rocky
Boy's Reservation. University of Michigan Business School. Ann Arbor, Ml.
National Tribal Development Association (2008). http://ntdamarketing.com/index.htnil.
News from Indian Country (2007).
http://indiancountrynews.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=718&Iteniid=73
State of Montana (March 2008). Demographic and Community Profile of tiie Rock> Boy's
Reservation. Helena, MT.
St. Piene. N. (a) (Februaiy 2007). White Paper on Economic Development for the Rocky Boy's
Indian Reser\'ation. Rocky Boy. MT.
St. Pierre, N. (b) (December 2007). History of Gaming at Rocky Boy. Rocky Boy, MT:
Chippewa Cree Gaming Summit presentation.
United States Bureau of the Census (2000).
Wikpedia (2008). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Boy_Indian_Reservation.
57
I I*
58
Chapter 3
Tf^e Travels oftfie Cfiihhewa Cree, "Earfij mars
According to Newspaper articles
Compiled by Gerard Vandeberg
and edited by various researchers
59
Introduction to the Newspaper Articles
Hy GcranI \ 'aiiilcherg
The newspaper article excerpts that follow are part of a much larger effort to
compile all newspaper articles from both local and distant newspapers that have included
content about Big Bear, Rocky Boy, Little Bear, and other members of the Chippewa
Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation. Many of the early articles expressed negative
views of the Chippewa, the Cree, and other Native American peoples of north central
Montana and the southern portions of the Saskatchewan and Alberta provinces of
Canada. Our Elders have taught us "to respect one another and to be kind to one another
in our relationships to all things and to all people." The Elders have also said, "We
believe in the uniqueness of the individual and want our children to have a deep respect
for each other and for those things and people who may be different from them.""' Thus,
we have extracted from the ftill articles those portions of the articles which give us some
sense of the places that the Chippewa and Cree traveled in their journey to Rocky Boy
and how the reservation was established, yet leaving out the negative-ness, racism, and
prejudice.
Some articles currently in our possession for this early period have not yet been
processed into this compilation. There are without doubt other articles out there in
newspapers that have not yet been located that should at some point be included in the
compilation. In the process of viewing the microfilms 1 was quite surprised at the number
of different local papers available. These included papers from Laredo and Box Elder.
But I was also quite surprised to find articles in newspapers as far distant as the
Washington Post, and a few other distant papers.
The following article extractions or condensations were completed by several
Stone Child College staff members fi-om the full articles as originally compiled by
myself My earlier effort in this compiling was far from a simple, far from an easy task. I
would like to share this process with you.
Actual newspapers that are well over one hundred years old are very delicate to say
the least, thus none of these articles were taken from the actual, physical newspapers, but
rather from microfilms of the actual newspapers. These early newspapers were already in
a deteriorated condition when originally microfilmed some years ago. Further it is clear
that o\er the years many of the microfilms have been used a great deal resulting in
scratched and deteriorated microfilms. Thus many of the images of articles printed from
the microfilms were rather difficult to read.
These articles were converted to word processing documents by doing OCR scans
of the articles as printed from the microfilm. The success with an OCR scan depends on
the quality of the text in the original papers when first microfilmed, the quality of the
microfilm itself after some years of use, and the varying quality of the printer within the
microfilm reader itself In some cases very little editing was needed. In other cases much
editing was needed. Indeed in some cases, I had to retype the entire article. In all of this
conversion from images on microfilm to word processing documents, 1 may have induced
some errors in spelling and grammar of my own.
Despite the problems mentioned above, the reader should find even with these
extractions or condensations, that the content of each article below remains "true"" to the
contents of the original articles, in the original newspapers. But most importantly the
reader should gain an appreciation for the tra\els of the Chippewa and Cree as they
journeyed to the present Rocky Boy's Reservation, and the early years after the Rock\
' See the Elder's statement of "The Philosophs" placed at the beginning of this document.
60
Boy's Reservation was established. An un-edited version of these newspaper articles is
currently available on reserve at the Stone Child College Library.
A Little Indian News
{Benton Weekly Record. October 13, 1881)
Little Pine and Little Bear. Crees, are this side of the line. About one hundred lodges
are camped in the big bend of Milk River.
The reports of buffalo having gone north continue to reach us. There are large herds
on the Saskatchewan and the Indians are moving that way. ...
The Assinniboine Expedition
{Benton Weekly Record, March 30, 1882)
Coal Banks Landing. March 23, 1882
... It is believed by the wise ones that Big Bear and Lucky Man escaped with their
camp to the south side of the Missouri. If so Fort Maginnis will have a chance at them.
Additional orders have been sent Major Klein in reference to Big Bear"s band...
... Buffalo are still south of the Milk River and the northern people will have to
procure their supply of dried meat and pemmican from the posts along the Missouri
River.
Big Bear's Surrender
(Benton Weekly Record. December 28, 1882)
The people of Montana and especially the stock
breeders will find many crumb of comfort in the news
of the virtual surrender of the formidable Indian
warrior Big Bear. Chief of the Crees. He came to terms
with the Dominion Government and passed under the
yoke about two weeks ago. amidst not a little
demonstration by the people about Fort Walsh.
There is much importance attached to Big Bear's
accepting the treaty.... Under the direction the
Honorable Edgar Dewdney, Commissioner of Indian
Affairs and Lieutenant Go\emor of the Northwest
Territory, Col. Irvine made the treaty....
The Cree tribe is divided into three bands, named
respectively the Plain. Swampy, and Thickwood Crees. Big Bear and Little Pine are the
chief men of the Plain band, and they and their band were the only members of the tribe
that refused to treat with the Dominion Government. They are not; however, what may
properly be called hostile Indians....
Indian News
{Benton Weekly Record. May 12,1883)
Major Lincoln, of the Fort Belknap Agency, arrived in Benton today by private
conveyance, en route to C. L. Fish's ranch on Highwood, where Mr. Lincoln's wife is
visiting. The Major brings some Indian news.
Big Bear in shackles
61
He states that intbniiation was received by Col. Ilges. commanding at Fort
Assinniboine, that the Crees were gathering.... Three hundred lodges under the Chiefs
Big Bear, Lucky Man. and Little Pine, are camped within 25 miles of Fort Walsh,
preparatory to crossing the line into Montana to avenge the loss of the Crees.... This
information was brought to Col. ilges by trustworthy scouts who had been at the Cree
camp, and rode directly to Assinniboine to report. Col. Ilges at once dispatched couriers
to Fort Walsh to British authorities, demanding that they take immediate action in the
matter.... Couriers were also sent by Major Lincoln to the Belknap Agency to recall his
Indians, a greater portion of them being out at the foot of the Little Rockies after
buffalo....
The Indians at Belknap are content and peaceable, and up to the present had heard no
Indian news to excite them. The Major thinks this news will scare them somewhat and
that they will all be at the agency in a short time. They have quite a crop in and will raise
about 200 acres in all of grain and potatoes.
Important News from the North
(Benton Weekly Record . May 19, 1883)
...There are 1,200 warriors in Big Bear's camp....
Bom Child, a chief who belongs to Piepot's camp, has crossed the line to the
American side and says he will stay....
The Canadian Government is trying to get the Indians to move to Battle River and
Prince Albert. Piepot has refused to move, and Big Bear is as yet undecided as to what he
will do. Little Mountain, the well-known Assinniboine Chief ...was shipped with his
whole camp by rail to Qu"Apelle. The train ran off the track.... Little Mountain refiased
to go any further as he was afi-aid of the iron horse (the train), and the government was
obliged to send carts to finish their journey....
Captured Reds
(Benton Weekly Record, May 26, 1883)
Tom Tuber, a well known Cree Chief, and one of Big Bear's sons, in company with
52 Cree Indians, in charge of a detachment of troops from Fort Maginnis, will camp on
the Shonkin to-night, en route to Fort Assinniboine. These Indians were captured on the
other side of the Missouri River, in the vicinity of the Musselshell, and will be sent back
across the line. Their amis and ammunition have been taken irom them and whatever
camp property they have will be burned. They all seem satisfied to go back with the
exception of Big Bear's son, who is restless and discontented and would escape if an
opportunity offered. He was captured with twelve others, on the Missouri, at the Mouth
of the Musselshell. Lieut. Steele, O" Maginnis, while out scouting in company with
corporal, ran on to them in the thick brush, but finding themselves covered by the Indians'
guns had to retreat. After getting reinforcements, however, they returned and captured the
whole outfit....
62
In the Cree's Big Camp
(Havre Advertiser. June 7, 1894)
\ ■
Little Bear encampment
...The Cree Indian camp is located about three miles west of Great Falls and adjacent
to the fair grounds. There are at present about 43 lodges in the camp and the population
of the village is in the neighborhood of 150.... The tents or teepees are scattered over
territory perhaps-half a mile square, and situated in a commanding position at the west
end, is the royal teepee of Little Bear, the recognized Chief of the tribe. His quarters are
larger and more luxuriant than the others, and high above the tent poles of the Chief's
home swings a large stuffed eagle, almost life like in appearance. On either side of the
entrance to this tent are crudely drawn pictures of eagles perched on mountain tops and
unlike other tepees, this one is closed from inspection and guarded from intrusion.
The men are a representative body of Indians... Their faces are daubed with all
imaginable colors of paint and fancy beadwork is displayed wherever possible.
Promptly at 1:30 a dignified representative of the Chief strolled to the center of the
camp and turned his voice loose. It echoed and re-echoed around the hills, for half an
hour, and the magic word that brought forth the de\'otees, "Pa-pe-twak." Cowboy Artist
Russell was present, and when questioned by a Standard reporter as to the meaning of the
word, he said: "it means, get a move on yourself, and climb out to the synagogue."
At 2 o'clock the tent was filled to completion with men sitting in a circle together as
closely as possible. Not a word was spoken, and although the day was uncomfortably
warm, the Indians were wrapped in heavy blankets and seemed to enjoy the heat. A few
minutes later a stately procession composed of W. T. Houston, Rev. Ramsey, John P.
Dyas and a Standard reporter crawled under the tent in a dignified way and took seats on
the ground. As a special mark of favor Mr. Ramsey was ftimished with a brilliant to
recline on and... he seemed to enjoy the occasion and viewed the surroundings with
evident earnestness.
Chief Little Bear held down a blanket directly opposite Mr. Ramsey. He is a bright,
clever looking Indian of perhaps 35 years of age.... Little Bear opened the services and
through an interpreter, spoke as follows:
"We are here today to worship the Great Spirit; he hroiii^ht us into the world and has
taken care of us. My people take this method of expressing our gratitude. God put us here
63
to love each other. Every day J aud my people ask mercy of God. and thank him for
feeding u.s; and keeping us strong and healthy. For t^vo days and two nights I do not eat.
Every year since I was honi I have worshiped my God at this season of the year. I do no!
think it is right for the white people to stop me from holding my sun dance, it is mv
method or devotion and my people want it. IVe mean no harm to anyone but want to save
our souls. My people cut their skin in the .shoulders. Christ was put on the cross and had
nails driven through his feet and his hands the same as my people do. But if the white
men object we will not do this. We do not want trouble with the white race. Thev are good
to us and when we get through with our devotion those Indians who came here to dance
will scatter as the birds to pick up a crumb here and a crumb there on which to live. My
people are good people and we will do no wrong. The light, the air. the water and the
birds are free and we also want to be free and be good so that the Great Spirit Mill smile
Mith gladness and call us his children. I have done. "
Throughout his address the Chief was earnest and dramatic. His gestures were
graceful and language rolled from his lips with the ease and fluency of a natural orator.
His eyes sparkled with excitement and his voice displayed emotion that evidenced
earnestness and apparent sincerity. Through an interpreter the Chief invited Mr. Ramsey
to talk to his people, and the latter did so, earnestly, forcibly and in a manner that
impressed his audience favorably. He said we were all followers of Jesus and did not
approve of the treatment of the Savior while on earth. He traced the life of Jesus from the
manger to the cross assured the men present that God would watch over and protect them
if they were good and true and right, and led a pure and good life. When the benediction
was pronounced the Indians bowed their heads and, although they could not understand a
word spoken, they appeared to realize the solemnity of the occasion and to appreciate the
words spoken in their behalf by the young clergyinan who had lent his presence to the
occasion in the belief that he was doing good. After the white people withdrew, the
Indians continued their services for several hours, first one and then another speaking but
all paying marked attention and respect to the utterances of Little Bear...
That Sun Dance
(Havre Advertiser, iune 14. 1894)
The official proclamation issued by Governor Richards prohibiting the sun dance
reached Great Falls on the 6th instant.
The document excited general comment among members of the legal profession,
many of whom differ in opinion from Attorney General Haskell. The managers of the
proposed [event] have applied to Judge Benton for an injunction restraining certain
parties from interfering or preventing said [event]. The following is a copy of the official
document as filed and served on Sheriff Hamilton and County Attorney Freeman in the
District Court of Cascade County:
"L. Enright, Joseph Lessard. Jno P. Dyas and Little Bear. Chief plainliffs. vs.
Josephus Hamilton as Sheriff, James W. Freeman as County Attorney, John E..Rickards
as Governor of the State of Montana and H. J. Haskell as Attorney General. On the
complaint of the plaintiffs duly, verified and upon the affidavits of Joseph Lessard. Little
Bear. Young Boy and John P. Dyas, it is ordered that said defendants and each of them
and their agents, attorneys, counselors, deputies, under sheriffs, associates, aides and
abettors to show cause before me, the undersigned Judge of the above entitled court, at
the court room in the city of Great Fulls. June 8. 1894. at 4 o'clock, p. m.. why an
64
injunction should not he issued restraining them and their agents from stopping,
preventing from taking place or in any way interfering with the running program and
Indian performance and ceremony known as the sun dance, now taking place and to take
place and to he performed hy the Cree Indians at Great Falls, Cascade County,
Montana, on, the 1 5th, 1 6th and 17th days of June, 1894, as contained in the complaint,
attached and made a part hereof and for such other relief as may he just and equahle in
the premises, and it is further ordered that said defendants Josephus Hamilton and
Josephus Hamilton as sheriff, James W. Freeman and James W. Freeman as county
attorney and each of them and their agents he, in the meantime, restrained, and they, the
said defendants and each of them and their agents, are herehy forhidden to suffer, do.
perform or commit any oj said acts until the further order the court. Signed, C. H.
Benton, judge of the district court. Eighth Judicial District, within and for the County of
Cascade and State of Montana. Dated this 6" day of June. 1894. "
To a Standard reporter Manager Lessard said the Standard can say the Indian
exercises advertised to occur on June 15, 16 and 17 will positively take place, regardless
of any proclamation to the contrary:
"My attorneys assure me that no man can interfere in the performance of an act
wherein, no law is violated. These Indians are not within the jurisdiction of the executive
of this state as long as no law is violated. The whole thing has heen misrepresented in the
grossest manner hy certain parties who are actuated hy personal motives and malice.
How can the police or the governor or the attorney general interfere in the doing of a
lawful act? And as long as there is nothing uidawjul it cannot he othenrise than lawful.
We have intended all along to eliminate any and all features of cruelty, indecency and
inhumanity and to make the exercise only weird, unusual and interesting as showing the
custom and religious heliefofthe North American Indian. "
Many Braves Will Dance
{Havre Plaindealer. June 21. 1902)
... Monday afternoon the people of Havre were treated to a grand [sight]. The
Indians who had been camped west of the city for several days moved their [gathering]
place to their old time camping ground northeast of Havre. Little Bear leads the
procession followed by other men and women....
Crees Move Along
{Havre Plaindealer. January 3, 1903)
... Havre will probably see but little of the Cree Indians during the winter; since their
release, a number have left for other places and more will leave within the next few days
While it is not probable that the Indians will return to Canada, still they will not likely
remain in this neighborhood... They claim every horse in their band is a Montana horse
and they will refiase to pay any duty whatsoever upon the equines. Little Bear told one of
the local officers through the aid of an interpreter that the go\ emment had no more right
to collect duty on the horses than it had on the Montana wagons purchased by the Indians
in this state...
65
Crees Will Dance
(Havre Press, June 10, 1903)
. . . Little Bear. Chief of the Crees, will again pose before the public as dancing master
and high master of ceremonies at the "grass dance" of the Cree Tribe. The annual dance
of the tribe has been announced to occur about June 25, in the pavilion on the hills near
town. No formal invitations have yet been issued...
Crees Are With Us
(Havre Plaimiealer. June 13, 1903)
Little Bear informed the Plaindealer ... that within about a week or ten days the Sun
Dance will be held with all the eclat of the early days when the [Indians] only
companions on the plains were the buffalo and the larger herds of wild horses that
roamed west of the Missouri river...
Big Dance Tomorrow
(Havre Plaindealer, June 20, 1903)
... Tomorrow a tribe ... of people will start their grass dance. This dance is
commemorati\e of the buffalo today and once was a religions feast to propitiate the gods
and have them give a good buffalo season and luck... Little Bear, the last of a noble line
of ancestors will address them in a high nasal voice, and the speech will be faithfiilly
reported in the next issue of the Plaindealer...
Grass Dance is Celebrated
(Havre Plaindealer. June 27. 1903)
... Little Bear, the Chief of the Cree Tribe, made the welcoming address He said in
part: "My heart is sad. I see my people that were once as numerous as the mosquito and
whose sting was as sharp as the buffalo gnat have fallen like the leaves shaken from the
dry branch of the cottonwood tree.... This speech in its entirety that has been faithftilly
translated fi-om the Cree by the Plaindealer Indian correspondent visibly affected the
Indian portion of the audience....
Crees Will Hit the Trail
(Havre Plaindealer, September 30, 1905)
... Little Bear has just returned from a trip extending over a period of many [nights]
from the Crow Indian Reservation where he went to smoke the amiable pipe with the
Chiefs of the Crow Tribe in southern Montana.
While there he carried on negotiations with Canadian authorities...
Judge Pyper. who has acted as a peace plenipotentiary In the negotiations between
Little Bear and the Dominion government, stated that the Canadian Indian commissioner
at Winnipeg, in the province of Ottawa, had consented to admit Little Bear and his tribe
back into Canada and to pemiit them to bring their ponies, wagons, dogs and other effects
into the Dominion free of all duty, and that they will be provided with an allotment of
land upon the Onion Lake Resei-vation. They will be met at the boundary line by special
officers of the government who will conduct them to the reservation...
Little Bear anticipates that the exodus will take place the latter part of October....
66
The Chief stated to a representative of the Plaindealer that he thought about 300 of
this tribe would assemble here within a short time. They will then give a farewell dance
for the dual purpose of celebrating the return to their native land and the raising of funds
with which to buy provisions for the trip across the country that will consume several
days time....
Little Bear, the Chief is a sensible Indian and a wise as well as a rigorous ruler
among the Crees. He has a distinguished war record and is the son of Big Bear, who was
an idolized Chief of the Crees before his death. His son is succeeding to much of his
father's wisdom and popularity.
This is the first time that he has ever wished to go back to Canada. His hatred of the
country where he met his defeat and from which country has tribe was long exited was
intense until recent years, and his change of heart has been occasioned because of the
lack of a home and the hardships and persecutions put upon his people as a result.
Flocking into Northern Montana
(Hcnre Plainclcalci\ March 24, 1906)
Turtle Mountain Indians and breeds are beginning to swoop down upon the rich
Big Muddy bottoms north of Culbertson and are taking up land ... About 50 filings on
homesteads have been received at the Great Falls office, and they are coming in rapidly.
It is reported that about 500 heads of families among the Indians, with their families, are
to locate in that section within 30 days. Each head of a family is entitled to file on 160
acres for himself and 80 acres for each member of his family...
G. Dupont Ally of Little Bear Dead
(Havre Plaindealer, June 23, 1906)
. . . Report has been received by Little Bear, Chief of the Crees that Gabriel Dumont,
his old friend and leader in the rebellion in Canada, which resulted in the Indians being
driven into the United States, died this week in Winnipeg, Manitoba, at the age of 75....
He always urged Little Bear and the tribe to return from the United States, but Little
Bear remains finn in his detemiination to not take up the offer last year extended by the
dominion government until it shall have given assurance of similar aid toward farming
that is extended the American tribes.
Chief Little Bear is in Helena Trying to Promote a Sun Dance
{Havre Plaindealer, March 21,1 908)
...Chief Little Bear, of the Cree Indians, is in Helena negotiating arrangements to
hold a Sun Dance in this city during the Fourth of July celebration. It is the purpose of the
Chief to bring between 200 and 300 Indians from Minnesota, Canada, the Dakotas,
Wyoming, and eastern Montana to Helena, and if the necessary airangements can be
made to convert the old Haymarket Square, the Central Park or Broadwater into one of
the old Indian camps. The participants will come with their families, wagons, horses, and
tepees. They will be garbed in their regalia, wear the war paint of frontier days, and dance
as they were to do when Montana was unknown to the white man
67
Rocky Boy's Withdrawal
{Heme Promoter, November 5, 1909)
... President Louis W. Hill of the Great Northern, Senator Clapp of Minnesota and
many others attending the dry farming congress ... Have just wired Messrs. Bruegger,
Reed, and Coulter, at Culbertson. as follows: "Our petition has been answered." Rocky
Boy withdrawal and allotment around Culbertson and eastern Montana is a thing of the
past. Secretary Ballinger has come to the front in the interest of Montana, and saved the
day for prospecti\e settlers...
Blackfeet Made the "Goat"
(Cut Batik Pioneer Press, November 19, 1909)
... Rocky Boy and his tribe have had a questionable status, a few Indianologists
contending that they belonged rightfully in Canada. Recently it was proved that they were
properly under the dominion of the United States. So while government experts and
selfish interests unraveled red tape the tribe froze and starved on the outskirts of Helena.
Then Secretary Ballinger decided to withdraw from settlement a tract of land near
Culbertson, and have the Indians placed upon it. This met with such a vigorous protest
from interests desiring that the land be kept open for settlement and cultivation that the
Secretary rescinded his decision, and it was decided to place them on the Blackfeet, 20
miles from Browning, near the base of the Rockies.
Each member of the tribe is to be given 80 acres of land, which means that about
10,000 acres of Blackfeet land will pass into their [hands]. [Before] Spring they are to be
given employment in the reclamation service and will have to earn their own living like
other reservation Indians...
Fate's Queer Irony
(Cut Battk Pioneer Press, November 19, 1909)
Rocky Boy and his band of Indians have at last been given a pennanent home in
the Blackfeet Reservation near Browning. They were loaded on 1 1 cars at Helena and at
Browning they will be furnished with rations during the winter by the Indian Department
and next spring steps will be taken to locate them on permanent homes on the land.
Rocky Boy and His Band of Chippewas
( Cut Bank Pioneer Press, November 1 9, 1 909)
...Considerable indignation has been expressed at the underhanded manner in which
the Govemment has handled this matter, and considerable doubt has been expressed as to
whether the Reservation lands can lawfully be taken for this purpose without the consent
of the Indian owners. It has very properly been remarked that as the Great Falls Tribune
has been greath worked up about them
Browning Resents It
{Cut Batik Pioneer Press, November 19, 1909)
...The Pioneer Press understands that the placing of the Rocky Boy Band of Indians
on the Reservation near Browning is indignantly resented by most of the citizens of that
68
place. A Browning resident has written the Pioneer Press a very heated letter, containing
much sarcasm, which will be published in our next issue....
Cree Indians Made Happy by Benevolent Spirits
{Havre Plaindealer, December 31, 1910)
Daye Goss, the old time Indian trader and one who has always provided something
for Christmas in the way of provisions for the Indians, had his usual celebration this year.
With the help of Havre's merchants the Crees were given a goodly amount of things to
eat and wear. Those contributing were David Goss, Pete De Nires, Havre Commercial,
Joe Marra, W. E. Wiltrier, Chas Kaisis, W. S. Hedge, E. C. Carruth, Jas. Holland, J. S.
Carnal, Pioneer Meat Company, Central Drug Store, A. M. Grimmer, Daniel Boone,
Harry Downs, E. T. Broadwater, N. E. Gourley, Anderson Drug Company Dr. Jos;
Murphy, A. E. Wilkie, Fred Scott.
Fertile Lands have been Selected by Maj. Armstrong for Red Brother
(Havre Plaindealer, June 10, 1911)
... Mr. John P. Amistrong, Special Allotting Agent of the government spent several
days in the city this week at the local land office looking up land upon which to locate the
remnant of the band of Turtle Mountain Indians. There are some 1 ,700 of these settlers
who were located in Valley County. 250 went into Miles City land district and something
like 100 went into the district north of Harlem near the Canadian line and lands have been
selected for the balance of them, perhaps 150, some 12 miles south of Hingham. In
speaking of them Mr. Armstrong said:
"Most of these people are children and they are as good a class of Indians as are to be
found in the country. They are thrifty, clean, sober, industrious and intelligent. They have
been generally educated at the Ft. Totten, N. D. Indian Industrial School and their work
will compare very favorably with the work in similar schools for the whites
Reservation Again
{Anaconda Standard, December 13, 1911)
... Helena. Dec. 13. Claiming that the people of Helena are more generous to them
than is the government, about 150 members of Rocky Boy's band of Chippewa Indians
left the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in northwestern Montana and are now encamped
near Helena. Rocky Boy and about 50 of his most devoted followers remained on the
reservation, preferring to take their chances of starvation rather than to depend on the
charity of outsiders. The band is under the leadership of Ponneto, who claims to be a
brother of Rocky Boy
Rocky Boy to Receive Lane
(Anaconda Standard, date not given)
....Rocky Boy. Chief of the band of Chippewa and Cree Indians who have been living
near Anaconda for some years, was made glad yesterday by a call from Frank C.
Churchill, a special agent from Washington. Mr. Churchill has come to Montana to
interview the Indians and to take some action looking to their bettennent. He has had
much experience in this line of work for the department at Washington, and, will, without
69
doubt, reach the facts about these Indians, and finally plant them where they can be of
some service to themselves.
Speaking of the Rocky Boy Tribe at the Montana hotel yesterday, Mr. Churchill said
that he was here to find out something about the Indians. The department desired to know
their number, and this was usually a difficult matter to detennine. He said that Congress
had appropriated S3().000 for their relief and an effort would be made to put them on
some government lands and furnish each with necessary farm implements and such other
things as they may need. . .
While here Mr. Churchill had an interview with Rocky Boy and explained to him the
difficulties of the [case?] and at the same time informed him of what the government
proposed to do. Other members of the tribe were present and all expressed their thanks
for the interest of the government in their behalf
Plan Giving Assinniboine to Rocky Boy and Braves
{Havre Plaindealer, January 11, 1913)
... Washington. Jan. 5. — A bill was introduced in the Senate today at the request of
the Interior Department, setting aside townships 31 and 32 in Fort Assinniboine
reservation, with the buildings thereon, for the use of Rocky Boy and his band of
Chippewa Indians.
Rocky Boy and His People
{Great Falls Tribune, }anuary 19, 1913)
Following are excerpts from an article in response to Senator D. S. MacKenzie's
memorial to Congress opposing the establishment of a reservation at Fort Assinniboine
for Rocky Boy and his followers ".... We do not know of a single instance where they
were ever convicted of stealing anything. There is in fact no company of white men in
Havre or Great Falls or any other city, who would if reduced to the state of hunger these
Indians were in, have shown the same respect for private property these poor Indians
did.... They are entitled to the protection and care of the United States. There is no kind
of doubt on this point. The Indian Department at Washington has admitted it. ...The
government owes them a debt. It is a debt of honor.... Rocky Boy and his band have the
prior claim on the government at Washington.
...We hope they will get a reserve of land assigned to them. We hope it will be good
land, the best the government has to give, and with this land we hope they will get
livestock and tools and food to give them independence and self support. And when they
do get this they will get nothing more than long delayed justice.
A dozen times it has been announced that the government at Washington had finally
determined to do justice to this band of Indians. Then people forget about them and the
next we hear they are starving to death somewhere. It is a shame and disgrace to the
people of the United States, not excepting the people of Montana. The white people
seized the land that once supported these Indians, and converted it to their own use and
benefit. The least we can do now is to honorably pay the small price we promised the
Chippewa Tribe as compensation for the act.... And the Chippewa Tribe were always
friendly to the whites too. They helped to protect the cabin of the white man in early days
against the Sioux. The condition of Rocky Boy and his band is dark with dishonor to
every member of the white race. That memorial to Congress needs radical amendment in
order to express the truth."
70
Cruel Treatment of Indians
(Great Falls Tribune, Febmary 3, 1913)
The Associated Press this morning brings us the information that President Taft has
sent to Congress the blood curdling details of the cruel treatment of Indians in a remote
portion of Peru, as related in the report of a United States Consul in that country, and his
rather dubious view of the probability of their getting just treatment at the hands of the
white men in the ftiture. We fear the pessimism of the consul is well founded, as he says,
while men in those parts are inclined to regard Indians as an inferior race who have no
rights at all which white men are bound to respect, when such rights interfere in any way
with the white man"s economic prosperity.
And turning our attention for a moment from the distant tropical jungles of Peru to
the below zero, wind-swept plains of Montana these cold days, do you know President
Taft that a band of Indians of the Chippewa tribe are starving to death and freezing to
death because they have nothing to eat except paper promises of the Indian Affairs
Department, nothing to wrap about their cold bodies but telegrams from Washington
weeks old saying that the department will INVESTIGATE, nothing to hope for except
that treaty promises and national honor dragging in the dirt year after year, may finally be
washed clean as may be under such circumstance, and broken faith and promises of the
white man mended.
For the love of humanity and honor of the republic, Mr. President, get after your
Indian Affairs Commissioner and jab a pin into his anatomy somewhere that will make
him jump quick and look after this poor half-frozen band. The Tribune is infonned
through a newspaper man of reliable character that Chief Rocky Boy has recently sold the
last two horses his band possesses to get means to go to Helena and solicit aid for his
starving tribe who have been living on the dead carrion they find on the Plains
occasionally where a cow or steer has died from disease or cold, and that some of his
tribe have already died from starvation, hardship and exposure, while the Indian
Commissioner's office is conducting its forty-ninth annual investigation into the facts
relating to this wondering band of Chippewa Indians. They have investigated and located
and relocated a dozen times if we have been correctly infonned. In the present instance
they need some food in their bellies and some clothes and blankets on their back and they
need these P. D. Q. So hurry up the grub and do what new investigating is wanted later,
Mr. President. We have pity for the poor Indians of Peru tortured and ill treated to get
rubber for the white man's automobile tires, but we are more interested in the poor Indian
of Montana who follows Rocky Boy and who is fed on paper promises during the
February cold of the Montana plains.
Indian Social
(Hill Coimty Democrat, February 8, 1913)
A large crowd of Cree Indians gave a social in the Officer's Hall at Fort Assinniboine,
Mont., on Thursday night. January 30, 1913. Games and dancing were indulged in after
which lunch was served and many presents were made the commander of the post. . . .
They had a very enjoyable time and passed resolutions thanking Hill County for the big
feed. Young Buffalo made a speech stating that Rocky Boy would arrive about April 1st
and would occupy the house that Gen. Otis occupied when he was in command of Fort
Assinniboine some years ago.
71
L K Devlin on Cree Indians
{The Hill Coimly Dcmocral, February 15, 1913)
...Mr. Devlin is very much desirous of seeing some movement put on foot for taking
care of the Cree Indians which are now at Assinniboine. He has been caring for 110 of
the Indians the past few ... neither Mr. Devlin nor the Board of County Commissioners
are going to let them starve.
...General L. S. Oltis. who was in command at Fort Assinniboine in 1885 ... issued
them the same rations he had been giving the soldiers.... In the spring Mr. Devlin
suggested to the General that they be turned over to Broadwater & McCuUough, who
could give them employment which was done. They were put to chopping wood, and as
there were 5,000 cords of wood a year being used at the Fort and the Indians were paid
$2.00 a cord for cutting it. they made $10,000.00 a year for seven years. They were clean,
industrious and had every thing they needed. E. T. Broadwater and Simon Pepin, no
doubt, remember these facts well.
With the advent of the railway and the use of coal at the Post their occupation was
gone...."
A Correction
(Hill County Democrat, February 17. 1913)
Fort Assinniboine. Feb. 17, 1913
Mr. Editor:
We have noticed that The Democrat has been dealing fairly with the people of Havre
and vicinity; we therefore believe we should correct a mistake which was made and give
to the public nothing but facts. To begin with the Indians did not give a social on
Thursday, January 30th. but did give a Pow-wow on Wednesday, January 29th. There
were absolutely no games played. The bucks passed no resolutions thanking Hill County
as the refreshments which were served were a private donation, no critics were invited;
and the "Commander of the Post" did not receive presents. Young. Buffalo made no
speech whatever Rocky Boy was not mentioned, and the Indians had too much respect
for Gen. Otis and for themselves to mention the Dead General in a fabrication.
CUSTODIAN
72
RESERVtD LAND lor hii Indian friends was a prir'Tr r«flcl c* T'onk LHnWrnan Irem 1905 to 1917 when he Uvod I'.
Helena ana wcrkftd hard (or the esiahluhment o( :he ?locky Boy Kwservollon. He it shown (lar righO u; j conlt. i ^ .i-.-b
Ji Helena aimed ^i esiotUshing o homo lor iho Cr»*» and Chlppowan. Others in the picture, loll In right: Creo Chlei
Uttlc Bear. Kinrpwujh Wiliiam Bcles. Secretary ct the Inleritr Franit i;. '.one Jim Denny. Oiher Persor and Pa*
?'a«f.b«rry. the iniorpreter.
Lindernian Exercised Over Rocky Boy Indians
{Havre Plaimlealer, March 15, 1913)
.... In an interview Mr. Lindernian declared that Rocky Boy and his band, now
stationed near Fort Harrison, where the camp was pitched early in the winter, were in dire
circumstances and greatly in need of assistance. Mr. Lindernian said in part:
"The Chief and his people are living in small tents, the comfortable lodge of other
days being beyond their reach because there are no longer skins with which to make
them.... these people wait for help that doesn't come. They have no land, no home, no
vocation, and I doubt if a rifle could be found within the camp. Even if he had a gun, he
dare not hunt for it is the closed season for all game and if he killed deer and elk he
would be jailed, while the starvation of his wife and children would be hastened thru his
absence. In the open season he would have no right to hunt because he would have to
show a permit to be off the reservation and he has no resei-vation — no one in authority
who could give him a pennit. There are more than 500 of these homeless people, and
every fall small bands of from 50 to 75 wander to the outskirts of the different towns in
the state, where they are pestered by the small boys and thoughtless men. Even the graves
of their dead are desecrated and their sick unattended.... They are willing to work and are
good workers, but can secure nothing to do because the employers of labor will tell you
that if put to work with white men the latter will reftise to work,
"Jealous boomers, who look forward to the complete settling of the west, stand in the
way of giving land to these Indians and allowing them to become self supporting. There
are bills now before the House and Senate which, if passed, would provide horses and
equipment for them ....
"Fred J. Baker, a special agent representing the Indian Department, visited the camps
of these people and made a report as to the conditions he found them in last October. In
his report he recommended that the Indians be given them at Fort Assinniboine.
Assinniboine is an abandoned military reservation and belongs to the national
73
government. Its allotment could not interfere with settlers, for there are none within its
boundaries.... Land boomers have their eye upon it, and their politicians will listen to
them ....
Chief Little Bear Visits in Butte
[Harrc Pluimlcaler, March 29, 1913)
Chief Little Bear who called Havre home for a goodly number of years and who with
the remnant of his band has been making his headquarters at Helena for the last few years
recently visited Butte....
Chief Little Bear of the Crees, who today honors Butte by his dignified presence is a
typical Indian of the Northwest. He is the ideal from which the poet draws inspiration...
the genuine noble red man of the plains, of the sage brush and prickly pear. He wears the
coat and pants of his white brother and as a decoration a handkerchief is tied around his
head. His hat was white. His hair is braided in two heavy strands and he smokes a cob
pipe.... and he wears moccasins.
Little Bear is about 69 years old. bom, he knows not where, but. he has lived on every
acre from the plains of Alberta to the Beaverhead River and return. His domicile at
present is at Helena....
Through his interpreter Little Bear said. "I was here eight years ago and walked in
march with my Indians; we get one dollar for the walk, one dollar for one man all round.
"The old Indians they are going far away somewhere, to new hunting grounds, we all
go there some day. Not much here for Indians now, white men they take everything,
leave Indian not much. Hard in winter time when we have no place to make big fire and
catch big game; big game costs money to shoot now. One time all shooting Indians want;
now all gone. Shoot old cow. police, he get you. Keep you in iron house....
Ask Uncle Sam to Take Indians
{Helena Independent Record, May, 1913)
It is possible that the government will soon take steps toward rounding up the Rocky
Boy Band of Cree Indians ... and establish them on some reserve where they can
become self sustaining. Aldennan Briggs of the city council has been conferring in regard
to this matter with government officials, and it was announced in the city council last
evening that negotiations had been opened which will undoubtedly prove successful.
Toward that end a memorial was introduced and adopted ....
"Whereas, this band of Indians appears to have no permanent place of abode or
source of revenue for the purpose of making a livelihood: and....
"Whereas, the city council of the city of Helena believes that the general federal
government owes some sort of duty in looking after these Indians; now
"Therefore, be it resolved that the city of Helena ask the federal government to take
some proper steps to ... provide for them suitable shelter, food and occupation so as to
e\entually establish this band on some footing of existence ....
Assinniboine Again More Grief in Sight
(Havre Promoter, May 30. 1913)
....In 1910 an act was passed providing for their settlement on the Blackfeet Indian
Reservation, but the land was found unfit for fanning and the project was abandoned. The
Commissioner states that after a thorough investigation was made o't all the lands
74
available within the state by a field officer of the Bureau for the purpose of finding a
suitable location for Rocky Boy's band and other homeless Indians within the State, he
reported the only available suitable location to be within the abandoned Fort
Assinniboine Military Reservafion and by departmental letters of December 19, 1912 the
matter was placed before the House and Senate Committees on Indian Affairs, together
with drafts of a bill setting aside certain townships within the abandoned Military
Reservation for Indians.
...Senate Bill 7883 introduced January 2, 1913. with the usual preamble reads:
A Bill to establish a Reservation for the Rocky Boy's Band of Chippewa Indians, and
certain other Indians in the State of Montana.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled. That all lands in the abandoned Fort Assinniboine
Military Reservation in the State of Montana, falling within townships thirty-one and
thirty-two north of ranges fourteen, fifteen and sixteen east of the Montana principle
meridian including the Government buildings thereon, are hereby set apart and declared
to be a reservation for the Rocky Boy's Band of Chippewa Indians, and such other
homeless Indians in the State of Montana as the Secretary of the Interior may see fit to
locate thereon, and for such other purposes in connection with the support, education and
civilization of Indians as the Secretary of the Interior may deem advisable and under such
rules and regulations he may prescribe.
Sec. 2. That the said Secretary of the Interior hereby authorized to allot the lands
within the area described in accordance with the provisions of the general Allotment Act
of February eighth, eighteen hundred and eighty-seven (Twenty-fourth Statutes at Large,
page three hundred and eighty-eight), as amended, except within the area one mile square
embracing the Government buildings at the abandoned post.
Little Bear Tells of Indian Troubles
(Havre Plaindealer July 19, 1913)
...With all the majesty and decorum becoming a Chieftain of one of the greatest
tribes in existence before the advent of the "pale face". Chief Little Bear, ruler of the few
remaining members of the Chippewa tribe which have been encamped near Helena for
the past few months, yesterday appeared before the board of Lewis and Clark County
Commissioners, and through an interpreter made an appeal for assistance.
"My children are not lazy, they are eager and ready to go to work, but this we cannot
secure," said the aged Chief There are but a few classes of work we can do, but at that
we cannot secure employment because of the antipathy of the white man for us. Once we
could hunt and, thus, secure food for our women and children, but the white man will no
longer let us do that and puts us in jail if we do. We can not keep livestock because the
lands have been fenced up, and we cannot earn money by making furniture, because we
do not know how. We can fami and work on railroad grades, but the white man will not
give us jobs....
Some Diplomat - Chief Little Bear
(Havre Promoter, August 8, 1913)
"God was taking care of us all right until the white man came and took the
responsibility off his hands....
So Chief Little Bear dramatically exclaimed to Secretary of the Interior Frederick K.
Lane in support of his plea that the government furnishes him and his tribe with land
75
sufficient to care for 500 Indians and to assist them until they became self supporting,
says the Helena Record.
Attended by four tribesmen Little Bear stalked into the lobby of the Placer Hotel and
there the conference with the representative of the White Father took place.
... When the Chippewas first became wanderers forty years ago white men were
aliens where today the Indian stood and asked for assistance.
Mr. Lane said. "Little Bear, you have a good friend here in Mr. Linderman and you
have another good friend in Mr. Bole (W. M. of Great Falls). I want to make a third
friend. 1 want to help you and to give you chance, but you also must help yourself when
the chance comes."
... Little Bear not only wanted the land, but he wanted to be assured there would be no
taxes on it. He explained white men had become rich from lands the Indians owned, and
the government was rich enough anyway to throw off the taxes in this particular case.
... When the tribe first came to Montana there was food for it as far as the horizon in
all directions. Little Bear explained.
Now." he said: "the government sends in foreigners and it pushes us to one side. We
have no camp, no pasture for our horses, no way to get something to eat. and our:
children are crying with hunger."
... Secretary Lane inquired why the other Indians were cared for and the Chippewas
were not. Little Bear said rich people had prevented that; they wanted the land. He said
God did not create the world all for the rich, but for the rich and poor alike.
... Little Bear asked that a portion of the Fort Assinniboine Reservation be set aside
for his band, and the Secretary explained that would have to be obtained from Congress.
Two Townships for Rocky Boy
(Havre Plaimlcci/ci\ December 20, 1*913)
... Two townships in the Blackfeet Indian reservation are to be set aside as the future
home of Rocky Boy and his wandering tribe of Chippewas, according to information
received here.
... The government will set aside $10,000 for the first year at least in order to tide
Rocky Boy and his braves over until the first crop time. This will be used to buy their
food, clothing and other necessaries until they have been able to tickle from the soil such
sustenance as the two townships in the aforementioned reservation are capable of
producing.
In addition to this donation, the Indians will be fiimished with cattle, horses and other
stock, and an outfit, including fann implements, and will be placed in a position to earn a
livelihood in keeping with the ideas expressed by Secretary Lane to the chief on a recent
western trip.
Rocky Boy"s followers have never entered into a treaty with the LInited States and
while they were given land some time ago, the soil was of such poor quality that they
were unable to coax a livelihood there from....
The Wanderers
{Havre Plaindealer, July 11.1914)
... The Editors of the Ha\re papers are holding up their lily-white hands in holy
horror at the prospect of having these nomads at their fi\)nt doors, occupying the choicest
tract of land in the Bear Paw settlement, and are scolding everybody concerned because
76
they were not permanently placed on the Blackfeet Reservation, which, according to their
myopic view seems fit only for the homeless and unfortunate band....
Ask Allotment of Land to Red Men
{Havre Plaindealer, February 13, 1915)
In response to a telegram from United States Senator Myers on Thursday announcing
that the bill opening the lands of the fonner Assinniboine Reserxation to settlement, was
in danger of the presidential veto unless some portion of the land were set aside for the
use of Rocky Boy and his band of roving Indians, a mass meeting was held at the city
hall, Thursday afternoon, bringing out a large attendance of the business men of this
section.
It was unanimously decided that rather than endanger the enactment of the measure
that required so much time passing Congress, representations be made to the Secretary of
the Interior to reserve sufficient land in the reservation for the Indians....
Will Find Fatted Calf on Return to Reserve
(The Box Elder Valley Press, February 11,1916)
According to this article the Rocky Boy band are encamped in the Bear Paws
Mountains near Box Elder. ... They have built more than forty fairly comfortable cabins
and a small warehouse for their supplies. As of yet they have no reservation and there is
no legal authority to restrict their roaming. . .
Officers Quarters
Fort Assinnihoinc
Affects the Fort Assinniboine Reserve
(The Box Elder Valley Press, March 31,1916)
According to this article the Secretary of Interior made a report to the Senate Public
Lands Committee upon Senator Myers' Bill proposing to amend the law opening the Fort
Assinniboine military reservation for Rocky Boys' band of Chippewa and other homeless
Montana Indians: 80 acres for a reservoir site for the town of Havre and 10.240 acres for
a pemianent park or camping ground on Beaver Creek near the town of Havre. Senator
Meyers' Bill proposed to set aside 30,900 acres for the Rocky Boy band.
77
Would Give More Land to Indians
(Havre PlaincJealer, April 1. 1916)
According to this article the Secretary of hiterior suggests that the proposed 30,900
acres for the Rocky Boy band is not large enough to properly support the Indians and he
recommends that all of the land in the reservation be set aside for these Indians, which is
approximately four townships in all.
... He reports that the Indians worked faithfully on their gardens and little farms and
sent specimens of the vegetables and grains raised by them to the state fair at Helena. It
further states that if the land set aside for them are limited, they will either have to be
given ftill rations or return to their nomadic habits as wanderers...
Indian Dept. Would Have Taken Tract
(Havre Plaindealer. April 19, 1916)
(JRFAT KM,I.< I>\II,V TRIKINK. SINl).
ROCKY BOY, CHIEF
OFCHIPPEWAS,DEAD
Veteran Head of Wanderinjj Band of Indians,
Known TlirouKhout Montana, Passes Away ,
on the Reservation Near Box Elder.
ltiMl;> Ko> 1- il<.i<l. TU iliirl ■>! lih-
.>f i III
•PI"
w« liiilim
. IMI
^Vtuil Hiit'lr liiiii Ibinli t>l >'"li |'4Hi}>lr ii
llial Up ifrtt.il i> U'lUn fiuiti Itl.ti
< iiiiniiKMoii'-'-', \Vti<hiii^'1»ii, II. I. t>']i
Itn; Iii ..i'l">' •tr.ntK tu Mt. I'.iri
■ .it-,..,' .i|>.,ii bi^ •it'jRiKii Miul (bal
According to this article the fractional township lying west of Beaver Creek in the
southern end of the reservation, is to be given to the Rocky Boy Indians in addition to the
two fractional townships reserved two years ago.
A letter wrote by the sponsor of the Bill. Senator H.L. Myers explains; "I was
compelled to give the Rocky Boy Indians
three fractional townships in order to stand
any show to get the bill through. Unless I had
done so, the bill would have stood no show.
The Interior Department insisted on it. Cato
Sells. Indian Commissioner, wanted the
Indians to have nearly all the reservation... I
had to compromise on three to stand any
show."
He further stated, "As it is the Indians get
three fractional townships; the people get the
camping grounds free; and the city may have
its reservoir sites at SI .25 per acre any time it
may choose and pay in five years. . . I hope the
bill may go through in this shape."
Rocky Boy Has Passed Away
(Havre Daily Promoter. April 24. 1916)
This articles states; Rocky Boy, Chief of
the Chippewas, has passed to the happy
hunting grounds and has died upon the
recently acquired Assinniboine reservation,
last Tuesday, after some eighty turbulent
years... (EDITORS NOTES: Other doeiiments
put Roeky Boy as passiiii^-on in his late
sixties) The news of Rocky Boy's death was
brought to Great Falls in a letter to Theodore
Gibson, having been written for Baptiste J.
78
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Samatt, son-in-law of Rocky Boy, by his son I.C. Reid. (EDITORS NOTES: Isaac-
Charles Reiil AKA Reed Mas an adopted son of Rock}' Boy).
The letter stated; "... But these are his last words on last breath; Never forget what I
have tried to do for the homeless people in Montana, toward the government and also he
said never forget Mr. William Bole and Theodore Gibson and his father, and Frank B.
Linderman, who done and taken pains to get us a home from the government. And he
told all his people to strive and labor hard so the government may see that we are
ambitious to get a home and land and also told his people to be kind to one another and
help one another."
"He died so peacefrilly, just like as if he was going to some place for a time. I wish
you would tell Mr. Bole and Frank Linderman about the death of our chief Rocky Boy.
We have lost a valuable man. We are sorrowing and mourning for him. I am sending my
best regards to you and also the old man. May Almighty bless us all until we meet
again."
Assinniboine Lands for the Indians
(The Box Elder Valley Press. April 28. 1916)
According to this article; the bill for the Fort Assinniboine reservation, contains some
important amendments. Instead of two townships originally planned, three townships are
reserved for Rocky Boy's band of Indians, embracing a total of 56,035 acres.
... The Interior Department has approved the legislation and Secretary Lane has
urged prompt action so that time may be had for the Indians to take advantage of the law
for the present crop season. Reports of the agents of the Interior Department show that
500 Indians should be provided for in this reservation. . . .
Park on Beaver Creek Assured
(Havre Promoter, April 29, 1916)
... The bill of Senator H.L. Myers passed the United States Senate last Monday. It is
believed that it will receive favorable consideration in the House and will soon become a
law...
Call for Land is Quickly Heard
(Havre Daily Promoter, September 9. 1916)
... Announcement of the passage of the of the bill that provides for the opening of the
Fort Assinniboine Reservation adjoining Havre to the westward, resulted in a flood of
inquiries at the local land office yesterday. There were 67 inquiries in one day.
... While the law has been passed which gives the public valuable camping grounds,
the Rocky Boy Indians two or three townships all their own, and the city of Havre
reservoir sites, the law has to be made effective by presidential proclamation.
... Probably not before late next spring will the executive order be issued and until
that time even the method of procedure will not be known. If is probable the lands will
be subject to entry by allotments to be made following registrations and public drawings
as was done with the lands of the Fort Peck reservation to the eastward. . ..
EDITORS NOTES: There has ahwns been iiilsinlerprelalion as lo the Rocky Boy's Indian Resen-allon
being established by Executive Order or by an Act of Congress. The above article slates by presidential
proclamation and to open other lands that were part of Fort Assinniboine there would be an Executive
Order. Once a bill is passed by congress it is normal procedure for the President to sign the Bill or veto it.
In this case the President signed it. Perhaps it is this article that has caused the confusion from the past.
79
Indians Suffer From the Cold
(The Box Elder Valley Press, March 30, 1917)
Hard w inter weather has meant suffering for the Indians of the Cree and Chippewa
camp at Box Elder as much as it has for cattle and game, according to the word brought
to Frank Lindemian from the Indian camp at Box Elder by Chief Little Bear of the Crees.
Only the old and decrepit Indians have been receiving rations from the government
and the younger members of these tribes must hustle for themselves. They are not
supposed to leave their camp, but in order to gain a livelihood have scattered over the
state to try to earn a living.
... There has been much suffering with the Indians at Box Elder this winter due to the
heavy, winter, with much snow and lack of food. There is considerable consumption
among the Indians, a disease which is playing havoc with the now diminishing numbers
of the red men....
Little Bear, the Cree Chief who is a familiar figure in Helena, is in the city to visit Mr.
Lindemian, who is a Chippewa by adoption and who is looked up to with almost
reverence by the Crees and Chippewas.
Although over 70 years old, the Indian bears up well, and despite the hardships of the
winter, smiles when asked about the hard winter. His smile bears pathos when he
measures with his hands the height of the snow and tries to explain how his fellow tribe
members have suffered.
... Mr. Lindemian is of the belief that these Indians, if given the proper chance, will
become self-supporting before very many years.
They have proven to Commissioner Cato Sells of the Department of the Interior that
thev are izood workers....
W heal liclJs on Rocky Boy rcsen-ution
Indians Are Farming on Extensive Scale
(Havre Plaindealer, April 20. 1918)
.1. Brown Parker. Indian Agent for the Rocky Boy Band, spent Wednesday in Havre.
Mr. Parker was looking after, sexeral teams of horses that are intended for use at the
agency. In conversation Mr. Parker stated that the Indians are responding nobly to the
appeal for intensified farming and said that they would seed to wheat and other grains
80
this year a little more than one thousand acres, with every prospect of a good harvest. The
reservation is located on the three south townships of the former Assinniboine military
reser\'ation.
Pershing Gained Friendship of Miles Which Helped Him Advance, In Montana
(Box Elder I 'alley Press, March 21,1919)
...General Pershing ... served at Fort Assinniboine ... where he spent a year as a
lieutenant in the Tenth cavalr>' . . .
... October 1895, when Pershing reported there to join his regiment, a western fort
whose importance as a military outpost in the Indian country was fast waning....
... Briefly told, the opportunity for association with General Miles came one day when
the old Indian fighter visited the post on a tour of inspection, bringing his hunting dogs
with him, and Pershing and another officer took the general for a hunt for prairie
chickens....
... A half dozen other reservations, including the Crow, the Blackfeet and the
Flathead, were within a few days cavalry ride, but only once during his year at the post
did Pershing see service in the field. He commanded one of the detachments that rounded
up and deported the reftigee Canadian Cree Indians.
... They were led by Little Bear, son of the famous Cree Chief Big Bear. ... Canadian
authorities [made] an agreement ... by which the dominion government stated that it
would take them back if the Americans would deliver them at the border line. Coutts
station, north of Shelby Junction, was the appointed place and the summer of 1 896 the
designated time.
The Crees were then encamped near Great Falls. When news reached them that their
deportation had been authorized many decamped.... The Indians that remained in camp
were placed on trains and taken to the border.
... The work of rounding up the Indians who had escaped fell on Troop D, Tenth
cavalry, under the command of Lieutenant Pershing. ...When the Indians heard that, the
soldiers were coming; they would break up into small bands and make for the coulees....
As each band was overtaken, it was sent under escort to Great Falls, and the troop went
after the next band. The job was completed without any fighting, and the troops returned
to Fort Assinniboine after 62 days in the field.
It is something of a coincidence that these same Indians, who returned very, promptly
Irom Canada and ever since have remained in Montana, are today occupying a
reser\'ation given to them by the United States government that is taken fi-om a portion of
the old Fort Assinniboine military reserve. Little Bear is still their Chief and is entitled to
some credit for his persistence in refusing to live in Canada and his final success in
getting an allotment of land for his people. General Pershing, with bigger things to
occupy his mind, had probably never learned of the final disposition of these Cree
Indians....
Crees and Cheyennes |Chippewas| Dance
(Havre Plaimlealer. My 19. 1919)
Little Bear's band of Crees... gave a Sun Dance on their new reservation near, old
Fort Assinniboine. in Hill County, on the Fourth of July, the affair being something in the
nature of a celebration of the fact that they now have a place to call their home.
81
'''^f^
...The Sun Dance of the Crees and Cheyennes [Chippewas] on their little reservation
was one of the best given in the state, the Indians having tine costumes of the kind worn
when they were in their natural state.
[Editors note: This was obviously supposed to read Chippewa ami not Cheyenne.]
Rocky Boys Raise Fine Wheat
{Bo.\ Eider Valley Press, March 1 7.
1922)
....That the Rocky Boy Indians
are making exceptional progress on
their reservation in the Bear Paw
mountains since their location there
five years ago is the assertion of
Superintendent Parker. The Indians
raised 20,000 bushels of wheat in
1921. 4,500 bushels in 1920 and 400 bushels, in 1919. More than 500 tons of wild hay is
harvested annually and livestock on the agency is being slowly increased. Two hundred
and fifty acres of winter wheat was sown last fall, 200 acres in addition were plowed for
spring crops and probably 600 acres will be prepared as soon as the ground is in
condition.
"The Rocky Boy Indians have raised some of the highest grade wheat in the state since
they were placed on the reservation," said Superintendent Parker. "Two cars of their
Marquis wheat was shipped out last fall for seed because of its grade.
"Their yields are running as high as the white man's in many cases, despite the fact
that they are somewhat handicapped for tools. Crooked Nose, one of the Indians on the
agency, last fall cut two and one-half acres of wheat with a butcher knife, and his wife
bound it by hand and shocked it. From this little patch he threshed 134 bushels of wheat,
and undoubtedly he earned it."....
il IlLill lni(i\ lild INil luir\C.sl
Rocky Boy Indians ... Now Successful Farmers
'(Box Elder falley Press, May 9, 1924)
The narrative is by W. T. Cowan, senator from Hill County, and was written for the
Great Falls Tribune.
The story of the appearance of the Rocky Boy Tribe in Montana and their many years
of wandering until fmally rescued and placed upon the Rocky Boy Reservation is one of
the little mentioned phrases of Montana history.
Rocky Boy. the late Chieftain of this band of Canadian Cree Indians ... was.
according to his story and local tradition, a Chippewa Indian from one of the Northern
Minnesota tribes. Many years ago, while he was a young man. he left his native village,
accompanied by his sister and a few of his fellow braves and followers. They immigrated
to Canada, residing in that country for a period of years, his sister married an Indian chief
of one of the Cree tribes named Big Bear. Tiring of life in Canada he later moved back,
into Montana and selected, for his camping and hunting grounds, the vicinity of Fort
Assinniboine.
... In 1886 the Canadian half-breeds, under the leadership of Louis Riel. undertook to
redress what the many breeds in the Canadian northwest considered their wrongs and
staged an amied rcbellit)n against the Canadian go\crnnicnt. the a\owed purpose of
which was to drive the white men out of that country and establish a government and
82
independent country for the half breed or Metis nation as they styled themselves. This
was one of the early efforts at what is now called self-determination of peoples.
In a frenzied effort to defeat the Canadian forces the breeds enlisted the support of
certain of the Indian tribes. Among them being a band of young braves led by a Chieftain
called Little Bear, a son of Big Bear who had married the sister of Rocky Boy....
... The rebellion was put down by the Canadian troops. The final victory was at the
battle of Batoche, where the half breeds and their Indian allies were thoroughly defeated
and routed by the Canadian militia, but with out severe loss of life among the Canadian
youth....
Following the defeat of the rebels and the suppression of the revolt. Louis Riel, the
leader, was tried and condemned. He was later hanged at Regina. the seat of government
of the then Northwest Territories.
Little Bear and his followers... came across the line into Montana.... I am told that
they did not come in a body, but by twos and threes. What was more natural then than
that Little Bear would seek out his Uncle Rocky Boy and join his camp?
Later, as opportunity presented, the wives and families of these refugees came across
to join their husbands. By the year 1888 there was a camp of nearly 100 lodges of these
Indians in the vicinity of Fort Assinniboine and these people managed to make a living
by hunting, fishing and trapping. They also cut cord wood for the contractors who had the
contracts to ftimish the fort.
In June, 1888, the country east of the Marias and north of the Missouri Rivers, which
was a part of the Blackfeet and Gros Ventres Indian Reservations, was thrown open to
settlement. The stockmen soon brought in herds of cattle and flocks of sheep: the game
was rapidly destroyed and exterminated by both the Indians and whites and it was not
long until the Indians were in a precarious condition. Different winters the authorities at
Fort Assinniboine issued rations to them.
The Indians turned to many expedients to live and many of us can remember the
numbers who met all trains, selling polished buffalo horns and bead work to the travelers.
Gradually the tribe split up and gathered in small camps in the vicinity of the larger
cities....
... The story is familiar to the Montana reading public of how the gathering up of
these scattered Indian families was detailed to Lieut. John J. Pershing, then an officer of
the 10th cavalry stationed at Fort Assinniboine....
However, it is not so well known how the deportation finally came out.
My infonnation is not official, but Indian and soldier talk, and it is not my intention to
vouch for all of it. but I give the story as I have gleaned it from different sources the last
20 years....
... Arriving at the designated time and place of meeting, the commander of the
American forces with his staff rode forth to meet the commander of the British. What was
the surprise and chagrin of our warriors when, up to the agreed locality rode a solitary
mounted police sergeant. Asked if he was the detachment oi' British troops he replied.
"No. indeed. I have with me one policeman. I left him in camp washing the breakfast
dishes."
... The Canadians evidently did not use much effort to retain their new settlers for the
Indians came back and many families with their tents, horses and equipment went
through my home town of Box Elder before the soldiers returned to Fort Assinniboine...
. . . Two of the principal advocates of the Indians were W. M. Bole of The Great Falls
Tribune, and Theodore Gibson, also of Great Falls. They consistently espoused the cause
of these people, but without much success until the opening of the Assinniboine military
reservation in Hill County to settlement, when they succeeded in getting set aside some
83
two and a half townships of this reservation for the establishment of an agency and home
for them. The Indian reser\e was named Rocky Boy after the aged Chieftain. Poor Rocky
Boy had a little better luck than Moses, for he lived to enter the Promised Land and lived
for a year or two after the reservation was set aside for his people.
The family history of the members of the tribe was taken in May, 1917. The roll was
approved by Secretary Franklin K. Lane July 16, 1917. The reserve was set aside in 1916,
and the inten ening time being utilized to enable the scattered families to gather from all
portions of Montana. When fmally completed the total number of members was about
450. The population at this time is about 490.
... John B. Parker of the Indian service took charge of the reservation in May, 1917,
for the Indian Department. At that time the only buildings were a few log huts that the
Indians had built to winter in, the previous winter while they were gathering. Mr. Parker
was compelled to reside in one of these cabins till such time as he could build quarters.
The contrast between this first effort of the Indians without direction, and the present
splendid though modest agency is rather surprising to anyone who had not visited the
agency since that time.
... Much has been published recently in the Montana papers about the progress of the
other northern Indians in the business of agriculture, but it is my finn belief that no
people in modem times have made more progress Irom a
wandering. star\'ed and degraded tribe to an almost self-
supporting position in the brief period of seven years, that
period, as well, being one of adverse climatic and
LA-T marketing conditions for all who have been engaged in
farming pursuits.
... Briefly, 1 will sketch what has been accomplished
with and for these people.
In 1917, the reservation was fenced, the money coming
from the reimbursable fund of the Indian Department. The
fence is 66 miles in length and consists of four strands of
wire. The posts are a rod apart and all labor of cutting the
posts, digging the holes and putting up the fence was done
with Indian labor under the direction and supervision of
Superintendent Parker.
That same year the Indians raised some 400 bushels of
grain and cut and stacked about 450 tons of wild hay.
Fencing on Rocky Boy Rcscnation
This hay was sold to the late L. L. Sprinkle who has rented the unoccupied portion of the
reserve for grazing purposes.
1 remember distinctly the first load of wheat brought to Box Elder. The grower was an
Indian named Well-Off-Man, and his crop amounted to the sum of $28....
... In 1918, the reservation produced about 1,200 bushels of grain and 500 tons of wild
hay.
In 1919. 2.000 bushels of grain and 600 tons of hay were raised. This being a dry year,
it is but truthful to state that much of the hay was brushy and of poor quality.
In 1920, 4,000 bushels of grain and 550 tons of hay were raised.
In 1921. 8,000 bushels of grain and 500 tons of hay were raised.
In 192[3]. 14.000 bushels of grain and 600 tons of hay were harxested.
In 1923, 16.000 bushels of grain and 500 tons of hay were raised. It is only fair to
these farmers to state that nearly one-fourth of the crop was destroyed by hail and
84
grasshoppers. The land is also becoming somewhat infested with wild oats and other
weeds. The Indians are beginning to learn that something more is necessary to produce a
crop than plowing and seeding.
... The building[s] now erected at the agency are four employees quarters; one police
quarter; one administration building; one concrete jail, but empty most of the time, I am
glad to state; one bam; one machine shed; one blacksmith shop; one warehouse; two root
cellars, and a school house, 24 x 60 feet.
... The school building contains a
recitation room 24 x 24 feet, dining
room 20 x 24 feet, pupils" kitchen. 12
X 8 feet. The children are given a -
wann meal at noon. the
Superintendent raising the vegetables
on the agency gardens and the \
department furnishing the rations. ^'
There are 40 pupils attending. The ^^^^i^i^h^
school is presided over by Miss Root cellar on Rocky Boy yesenation
Coulter.
All the buildings are constructed of log with shingle roof All the building operations,
from getting out and hewing the logs, to finishing the interiors, has been done via Indian
labor under the direction and supervision of the Superintendent. The buildings are sightly
and the work is well and skillfially done. Mr. Parker tells me that they contemplate
installing a water system next year.
... The post office is located in the Mission building. The women of the reservation
are taught to sew among other social activities, and Mr. BuiToughs has secured a market
for bead work so the workers derive considerable revenue in the course of a year through
the instruction and help of the association.
... The Catholics have had allotted to them four acres of ground on which to build.
They have no structure as yet, but the Rev. Father Corbett of Havre holds services about
once a month for the adherents of that faith.
The reservation is situated in [the] Bear Paw Mountains, about 16 miles from Box
Elder and 25 or 30 from Havre. It contains much beautiful and picturesque scenery and is
in a fertile section. The rainfall in these mountains is greater than on the plains and this
no doubt accounts for the success of these people in raising crops....
With the camping and play ground set aside by Congress on Beaver Creek for the use
of tourists east of the Indian reservation, we believe the quaint ways of these people and
the beauty of the scenery in the Bear Paw Mountains will bring many visitors.... The
roads from either Box Elder or Havre are excellent in the summer season.
300 Indians Due Here for Big Pow Wow
(Havre Daily Promoter, July 2, 1924)
Three hundred Indians from the Rocky Boy Reservation will attend the celebration the
Fourth of July.
They will have their camping grounds south of the Sacred Heart Hospital. In
connection with the Elks celebration they will have a barbeque, Indian dances, horse
races, and will all be dressed in their native costumes.
Mr. Finebow and Wm. Buffalo, two officers were sent to Havre yesterday to make
arrangements for fmal grounds.
85
Indians Dance for Travelers on No. 1
(Havre Daily Promoter, July 4. 1924)
One hundred of the finest and most graceful dancers of the Rocky Boy Indians held a
Pow-wow for the tra\ elers and visiting Elks who arrived on train number one yesterday
afternoon.
Dressed in full regalia, beads, war paint, furs, blankets, and feathers, the "Noble
Redmen" was in all his glory and danced and sang to the delight of the hundreds who
gathered at the station.
The Rocky Boy Indians were most obliging and danced encore after encore to please
those from the east and the local people who never before had witnessed such a spectacle.
Leaving the depot the Indians were marched up to the dance pavilion by Chief of
Police James Moran and held another long Pow-wow on the dance floor. Speed Currin of
Milwaukee, who will box Johnny Schauers this afternoon was working out at the time
and from all appearances was not used to the "west as it really is" for he soon stopped.
9000 Indians in State Can Vote
(Box Elder Valley Press, July 18. 1924)
[The] only provision is that they be native bom. This fall will be the first time the
Indians have enjoyed the rights of suffrage.
Approximately 9,000 Indians in the Treasure State may vote according to a
communication received by Robert Yellowtail of Wyola, from Washington D. C. The
text of the letter follows:
"As a result of the signing of the Indian Citizenship Act by President Coolidge, every
native bom Indian in this country is made a citizen of the United States," said Charles H.
Burke. Commissioner of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. "The number of Indians given
citizenship b\ the new legislation," he continued, "is approximately 126,000. There are
200,000 Indians who have already been made citizens by various Acts passed by
Congress in the past. . .'"
Commissioner Burke further stated that the granting of citizenship does not remove
the restrictions on the lands of the Indians now under government guardianship, the
Supreme Court of the United States having held that ward ship is not inconsistent with
citizenship.
The Bill providing citizenship for Indians, as originally introduced in the House of
Representatives, authorized the Secretary of the Interior in his discretion, to issue
certificates of citizenship to Indians who made application for them. It was amended in
the Senate to grant citizenship outright to all non-citizen Indians; and this amendment
was finally adopted by the house. President Coolidge signed the legislation as amended.
A provision in the act granting citizenship to all the Indians of the United States
stipulates that the Indians" rights to tribal and other property shall not be impaired or
otherwise affected.
According to the census reports, there are 12,800 Indians in Montana, and as
practically all of them were born within the United States, the \oting population will be
greatly increased at the next general election. Just what proportion of this number are
over the age of 21 years, has not yet been determined, but it is probable that around 9,000
in the state, and between 1. 000 and 1,100 in Big Horn County. If they all register, they
will cut a considerable figure in the result this fall.
86
Indians Moved to Reservation
(Bo.\ Elder Valley Press, June 26, 1925)
... Rocky Boy's tribesmen .... Convinced that they can no longer live like they did
before the white man came. ...
All but four families have left Great Falls. These families are employed, however, and
are willing to work. All children of school age have been sent north where they may get
schooling. Some of the Indians went to Chinook to work in the sugar beet fields, but it is
not believed they will return to Great Falls.
According to John D. Keeley. superintendent of the Rocky Boy Agency, who has
returned to his post after a short conference with Mrs. Harriet Carrier, Executive
Secretary of the Red Cross in Great Falls, and active in persuading the Indians to move to
the reservation, the acreage under cultivation in the reservation has increased 25 per cent
with the arrival of more Indians.
Rocky Boy"s tribe had left Great Falls before temporarily, and returned. ... There were
53 adult Indians in the Electric City when they were persuaded to leave.
Rocky Boy Indians Stage First
of Garden Shows
(Havre Daily Promoter,
September 4. 1925)
... With hundreds of entries,
including many different varieties
of vegetables, the first garden
truck exhibit was held yesterday at
the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation
under the supervision of County
Agent E. B. Duncan, who judged
the exhibits.
One of the fine guldens on the Rocky Boy Resenation Each contestant had 1 5
different kinds of garden produce entered which was raised on an eighth of an acre
garden plot on the reservation. First prize, a heifer, was won by Martin Mitchell, second
prize, a pig, was won by Mrs. Boneau and B. Samatt and W. Marsett tied for third honors
and split the prize, six hens, between them.
The exhibits were of a very high grade and would win honors at the state fair County
Agent Duncan said. The wheat crop on the reservation is also declared to be excellent,
and will average many bushels to the acre. The agent last year purchased 600 bushels of
Marquis Wheat which was used by the Indians in sowing their crops.
The first summer fallow to be done on the reservation will be finished within a few
weeks. This work was started under the direction of County Agent Duncan who has taken
an active interest in the farm work on the reservation.
Montana Indian Congress at Helena
[Hill Count}- Demoerat, November 3, 1925)
A congress of representatives of all the Indian tribes of Montana was held in Helena
yesterday to consider matters of importance to the several tribes, under the direct of A. A.
Grorud.
87
The Rocky Boy Indians had three representatives at the conference. Those attending
being Chief Day Child. Chief Kennewash and Jim Denny
The delegates meeting in Helena v\'ill represent some 9000 Indians and it is reported
that matters pertaining to their treatment during the past several years by the department
will be discussed and considered.
13 Charges Filed Against Burke by Indians
(Havre Daily Promoter, November 7, 1925)
(Helena. No\ 3) Charges preferred by the Indians of Montana against Hon. Charles H.
Burke, Commissioner, of Indian Affairs contain many grave clauses. Representatives of
the seven tribes, meeting here recently with their counsel. Attorney A. A. Grorud of
Helena, to form a state association to secure redress for grievances, went deeply into the
alleged misconduct of their affairs by Commissioner Burke and on conclusion of their
conference. for\\ arded the following protest to Washington:
Helena, Mont. Nov. 3. 1925
To President Coolidge. Executive Mansion, Washington. D. C:
Your Excellency.
We the undersigned, duly appoint and authorize delegates in Montana, to wit: Flathead
Confederated Tribes. Blackfeet, Rocky Boy. Fort Belknap. Cheyenne, Crow. Sioux,
Assinniboine. and other tribes residing on the Fort Peck Reservation, duly assembled in
convention on the third day of November. 1925. respectfully request the removal of Mr.
Charles H. Burke as Commissioner of Indian Affairs, on the following grounds:
1 . That said Burke has knowingly, intentionally and oppressively permitted the
property of the Indian to be misappropriated, wasted and squandered.
2. That said Burke has deliberately, arbitrarily and wantonly failed to safeguard the
property and other rights of the Indians.
3. That said Burke has violated his duty as Commissioner of Indian Affairs in
administering his guardianship over the Indians, in that whenever the occasion arose, his
attitude and prejudice is always against the welfare and benefit of his wards, the Indians.
4. That said Burke has failed, neglected and refused to honestly and properly consider
matters of great importance complained of
5. That said Burke is biased and prejudiced against those who dare to expose his
arbitrary acts and metes out unjust and unreasonable punishment to them.
6. That said Burke has. is. and deliberately and maliciously by way of punishment to
Indians, withheld tribal payments.
7. That said Burke is depriving the Indian children of their right to attend public
schools.
8. That said Burke has with his consent and knowledge permitted orphan children to
be adopted and their property wasted and squandered
9. That said Burke has allowed clerks and employees to remain in the service of the
Blackfeet reservation after charges of immoral conduct have been preferred and due
proof thereof submitted to him.
10. That said Burke has wantonly, oppressively and arbitrarily ignored the mandate
and wishes of the Assinniboine Tribe in the selection of its attorneys and has without
authority forced an attorney's contract upon said tribe.
1 1 . That said Burke has and is endeavoring to destroy, the natural resources belonging
to the various tribes.
88
12. That said Burke has knowingly, willfully and intentionally misrepresented and
deceived committees and members of congress as to the true condition of the Indians.
13. That said Burke has permitted and encouraged superintendents of Indian agencies
to spend large sums of money in taking Indians about the country and taking Indians
away from their work and exhibiting them to the public for their selfish purposes and
other and political purposes.
We respectfully request that an impartial investigation be made of the above charges
and that we be given an opportunity to prove said charges and that the Indian Bureau be
not allowed to investigate itself.
Indians Will Meet After |Conimissioner Burke) Answers Their Cliarges
{Havre Daily Promoter, November 1 1, 1925)
Helena. Nov. 9. Another meeting of representatives of the Indian tribes in Montana is
to be held here after Commissioner C.H. Burke, of the Indian bureau has formally
answered charges preferred at a recent gathering of the tribes. Their newly formed state
organization, it is learned, merely took, recess, pending action by Burke, or by President
Coolidge to whom a fonnal communication, asking the Commissioner's removal, has
been forwarded.
A. A. Grorud of Helena is acting as representative of the Indians who claim to have
their tribes solidly behind them in the battle. It is said that if the president ignores the
communication, Montana's delegation in Congress will be asked to take action.
Charles H. Burke Answers Charge of Indians
(Havre Daily Promoter, 'Noyemher, 18, 1925)
Washington, Nov. 17. (AP) Charles H. Burke, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, today
declared an inquiry was conducted by his office into charges against it contained in a
recent petition signed by several Montana Indians and sent to President Coolidge.
They had shown that they were initiated at a meeting of 14 Montana tribes...
Shotweli is New Rocky Boy Reservation Agent
{Hill County Demoerat, March 2, 1926)
L. W. Shotweli arrived a short time ago to take charge of the Rocky Boy Agency to
replace J. D. Kelley who had been agent for the past three years.
Mr. Shotweli came to Montana from the Walker River Agency on the Paiute Indian
Reservation in Arizona.
[Editor 's note: Walker River Paiute Resen'otion is located in Nevada.]
Seven Indian Tribes to Meet
{Havre Daily Promoter. April 22, 1926)
Helena. April 22. (AP) — Several hundred Indians representing seven tribes included in
the Indian Protective Association of Montana will meet in Helena in July, A. A. Grorud,
counsel for the various tribes said today. In addition to members of the Flathead.
Blackfeet, Rocky Boy, Fort Belknap. Fort Peck. Crow and Northern Cheyenne tribes, it is
possible that a delegation of Indians from South Dakota will he present as they are said to
be keenly interested in the Montana movement.
89
Reports will be received from delegates now attending conferences at Washington. D.
C, and other matters of \ital importance will he threshed out and appropriate action
taken, Mr. Grorud said.
Rocky Boy Indians Will Hold Annual Sun Dance June 21
{Havre Daily Promoter. May 5, 1926)
The annual Sun Dance of the Rocky Boy Indians will be held on the reservation
beginning June 21 and lasting until June 27
The Sun Dance is the most picturesque dance of the Indians. They call it the "Thirsty
Dance" and worship the Thunder Bird, which personifies for them the Great Spirit. The
dance will be given with all the ceremony of the old tribal traditions.
This year's Sun Dance may be the last that will ever be held as the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs is endeavoring to put a stop to it.
Indian Artist Exhibiting Work
{Havre Daily Promoter. May 27. 1926)
Charles Topsky. a 20 year old Indian from the Rocky Boy Reservation, has a number
of his drawings on display at the Evan Jones shoe shop on Fourth Avenue.
Topsky shows a great deal of promise. He has never had a lesson in drawing in his life
and his education has been limited to a year and a half
His drawings are of Indian life and he is particularly good in action pictures of horses.
While he works rapidly he is painstaking in his faithfulness to detail. Such talent
developed might give Havre an artist who could conserve the romance and traditions of
the plains Indians.
Indians to Meet at Helena Soon
{Laredo Tribune, June 5, 1 926)
... The second annual meeting of the Indian Protective Association of Montana will be
held in Helena. July 15. President Caville Dupuis has announced. Delegates from five
great Montana tribes, representing the Flathead, Blackfeet. Rocky Boy, Fort Belknap,
Fort Peck and Northern Cheyenne Indians will attend....
Formal and confidential reports covering Indian affairs will be presented at this
meeting. The association also, at that time, will take up the endorsement of political
candidates and perfect an organization, as it is possible the tribes may place several
candidates of their own in the field. A. A. Grorud, counsel for various tribes said recently.
Thomas Burland. secretary of the association, who recently returned from
Washington, D. C, attended the conference at Helena of various members of the Flathead
Tribe, headed by Frank Kirkpatrick.
Tribes are awaiting the return from Washington, D. C, of Meade Steele, one of the
outstanding leaders of the association. His report is awaited with particular interest
leaders say. All reports are now being compiled and threshed out in the \arious tribal
councils for presentation, discussion and action at the Helena meeting.
"The July meeting will be an outstanding one in the history of Indian affairs in
Montana," said President Dupuis. "We are now organized and functioning as never
before."...
90
The Rocky Boys
(Hill Count}' Democrat, May 3, 1927) By Mrs. M. E. Plassmann
A couple of years ago, I, with a party of picnickers, rode over the wind-swept plain
south of Havre, and then towards that singular mountain chain, first known as the Bear's
Paw. ...
... Wishing to learn present conditions there, and pass the infonnation gained on to the
Montana public, 1 wrote to the missionary, Mr. Elmer Burroughs, who kindly supplied
me with the subjoined facts.
"For over 45 years, the National Indian Association has been seeking out tribes or
bands of United States Indians among whom no missionary had labored; ... This pioneer
work in general has consisted in visiting the sick, giving simple remedies, providing food
suitable for the suffering ones, helping the poor, holding English classes where advisable,
and encouraging and helping with the native arts, as well as the usual church and Sabbath
school services. These endeavors all require buildings, cows, gardens, missionaries, and
money. The National Indian Association is an organization recognized by the Indian
Department as one very beneficial and uplifting to the Indians...."'
"'Mrs. Bun-oughs and I were in Home Missionary work under the Presbyterian board
in Saskatchewan, Canada had been there for three years, when word reached us through
the Student Volunteer Movement Board of an open door to work among the ... Indians in
Montana. Having had a desire for some time to work among Indians, this was welcome
news to us."
Mr. Burroughs made the trip fi^om Saskatchewan to the agency on horseback, a
distance of over three hundred miles. His wife and little girl made the journey by train.
He has been at the Rocky Boy Agency for seven years, and is well qualified in every way
for the position he occupies. . . .
"... By Christmas the first year we had three good, substantial buildings nearly
completed, a bam, house and chapel.
. . . The chapel was opened in February, 1 92 1 , and there was the good attendance at the
first meeting which might have been expected. Indians, like white people, are delighted
with anything novel, and every Sunday since then services have been held. After a few
years, a Sunday school was organized, with a fair attendance, except in the summer time,
when the call of the outdoors is too strong to be resisted by these children of Nature; but
they always look forward with pleasure to the annual Sunday school picnic.
"Besides the religious services," Mr. Burroughs states, "we have a boys' club, girls'
club, women's meetings weekly, and night school for the young men three nights a week.
Rocky Boy post office is at the mission. ... The past year this beadwork money
[S2.000.00] was especially welcome because of the drought and poor crops."
"The winter just closing has perhaps been the hardest these Indians have experienced
these six or seven years." Some aid was received from the National Indian Association
which sent money that was expended for provisions Mr. Burroughs gave to the Indians...
The superintendent also provided the able bodied men with work, when possible. But this
was not sufficient to meet the need of all . . . ."
Appropriations are being cut down by the Indian Department, with the laudable
purpose of making the Indians self-supporting, but the amount is not adequate for those
unable from any cause to work.
91
"More acres farmed each year, better yields than the past season, mixed fanning and
the raising of chickens, sheep and cattle will mean better times for our people. The
Superintendent and farmer are interesting the Indians in this division. But again, I must
say this has been a very, very hard winter for these poor folks, and 1 am glad the mission
has had a little part in relieving the want and suffering."
Mr. Burroughs speaks in the highest terms of the work of fomier superintendents, and
says that L. W. Shotwell, the present Superintendent, "with his good staff of assistants in
office, school, and about the agency, is seeing some satisfactory responses on the part of
the school children, fanners and stock raisers. A good two-room schoolhouse with two
teachers, good warehouse and reservation granary, office building clerk and teachers'
home grace the agency grounds. We have a splendid contract physician. Dr. Mackenzie,
of Big Sandy, and rumor has it that before another winter we may have a field nurse, and
small hospital quarters for cases of severe sickness. With better fanning seasons,
diligence and continued force of good government workers, the Rocky Boy Band of
Crees and Chippewas should come to better things.
... If the state cannot extend aid to these needy ones, individuals can do so in different
ways. They can patronize the industries, as for instance, purchase the beautiful beadwork
made by the women, or they can contribute money directly to Rev. Elmer Burroughs at
Rocky ... Would it not be more consonant with Scriptural teachings if we first relieve the
needs of our own, before aiding foreign missions? ...
Rocky Boy Reservation Opened to Lease
(Havre Daily News Promoter. February 6, 1928)
The Havre Daily News Promoter has received from L. W. Shotwell, Superintendent of
the Rocky Boy Reservation .... a copy of the order opening for prospecting and mining
unallotted land on the reservation. The order shows:
"United States Department of the Interior. Office of Indian Affairs. Washington.
December 23, 1[9]27.
Section 26 of the Act of June 30. 1 19 (41 Stat. L., 31), amended December 16. 1926.
authorizes location of mining claims by citizens of the United States on unallotted lands
of Indian Reser\'ations. after such lands shall have been declared by the Secretary of the
Interior to be subject to exploration for the discovery of gold, silver, copper, and other
valuable, metalliferous minerals and non-metalliferous minerals, not including oil and
gas. Should minerals be found locators have the privilege, within one year, of entering
into a lease covering the land located.
"In accordance therewith I hereby declare all unallotted lands not heretofore opened to
prospecting and lease, on the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation, Montana, subject to
exploration on and after 12 o'clock noon, December 10, 1927, and with the exception of
such land therein as may. contain springs, water holes, or other bodies of water, subject to
location and lease.
JOHN H. EDWARDS. Assistant Secretary
Indian Garden Club Starts Expansion in Club Work for Year
[Hill CoiiiUy Democrat. March 30, 1928)
Fifteen boys between 10 and [?] years of age have been organized into a garden club
at Rocky Boy... The club organized under Frank Reid as local leader, will be known as
the Centennial Boys' Garden Club. Other clubs planned under the program outlined will
work in the fields of swine, sheep, wheat, com, potato, turkey, capon and clothing clubs.
92
Most of these have been active before but present plans call for a wider range of work,
including a larger membership than before. . . .
I* I
•y^
k
A ganlcu being workcil i>ii the Rocky Boy Resenaiion
Construction of Road Across Reservation Assured by Congress
{Hill County Democrat, June 15,
1928)
Construction of the proposed
highway across the Rocky Boy
Reservation and connection with
Hill County roads on one side and
Blaine County roads on the east is
assured with the passage of the last
appropriation bill by the Senate just
before adjournment. The bill as
Road development on the Rocky Boy Resenation
passed was approved by the
Department of the Interior before it
went before either house of Congress.
No provision is made for individual projects [?] which are lumped into one gross
appropriation for such work. The road is assured however by the department, which has
designated S8500 for the work.
L. W. Shotwell, Superintendent of the reservation, states that work on the road will
begin at once with all Indian labor being used. The Indians are free at this time of the
year to do work of this sort. Approximately seven miles of construction will be necessary
while Hill County will build in from the Beaver Creek road, and Blaine County will
connect the eastern road with county highways on that side, making a through highway
from east to west.
93
School System at Rocky Boy Enlarged
(Havre News Promalcr. June 17, 1928)
The Rocky Boy Indian school system will be extended this summer. Work on the
construction of a new two story brick building north of the post will start immediately.
The classrooms will be on the first floor and the domiitory room on the second floor;
work will be finished by the beginning of the next school term.
Bus lines have been planned for the schools which will make it possible for more of
the children to attend school while staying at home. This will do away with the large
encampment of Indians around the post, which seemed necessary with only one school.
Fishing Permits Required on Rocky Boy Reservation
(Havre News Promoter, iune 17, 1928)
Special pennits are required for persons wishing to fish on the Rocky Boy Indian
Resei-vation. These may be received fi-om L. W. Shotwell, Superintendent at the Agency.
The pennit will cost 50 cents and must be secured before any fishing is done.
Rocky Boys Hold Sun Dance Starting Tomorrow
'{Hiil County Democrat, June 26, 1928)
The ancient Sun Dance, ceremonial of pracfically all the plains Indians, and a special
favorite with the Sioux tribes, will be given on the Rocky Boy Reservation Wednesday
and Thursday, according to L. W. Shotwell, Superintendent of the reservation. ...
Indian School Compared With Small City's
(Havre News Promoter. October, 2, 1928)
Completion of the new school at the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation puts that territory
in comparison with the schools of a moderate sized city educationally, according to J. C.
Davenport of Washington who visited the reservation this week.
Mr. Davenport was accompanied by C. V. Peel and Col. Folsom and they were doing
auditing work at the reservation.
Johnson Plans Indian Agricultural Program
[Hill County Democrat, April 9, 1929)
State Agricultural Director Johnson, who has charge of all agricultural work of
Indians, arrived at Havre Saturday to outline a program for the Rocky Boy Reser\'ation.
Paul Stafford, agent at the Fort Belknap Reservation assisted in outlining the program.
Ben Daggett, county agent of Hill County, is interested in starting a 4-H club program
at the reservation.
4-H Club Started At Indian Reservation
[Hill County Democrat, April 19, 1929)
Miss Ruth Russ, nurse at the Rock Boy Indian Reservafion, is starting a 4-H clothing
club at the reservation among the Indian women. She has sixteen members as a nucleus
of the club.
94
Miss Russ received 4-H club
information and literature at the
county agent's office Thursday
and plans to start the club right
away.
A poultry club has been
started among the Indian boys
of the reservation with 35 boys
as members. Frank Reid is their
local leader.
4-H on Rock}' Boy Resen-ation
Sun Dance Given Last Week at the Rocky Boy Reservation Lasted Full Week at
Special Camp on Reserve
{Havre Daily News, July 7. 1 929)
To the tune of the [drums] ... about thirty-five Indians on the Rocky Boy Reservation
danced the Sun Dance this last week in a camp of over 150 tents and tepees set up in a
large circle around the main lodge.
The annual religious ceremony began Monday with the moving in of people from all
over the reservation and from many points outside, especially from Canada. The opening
ceremony began with the coyote hunt in which the old men of the tribe came down from
the hills....
The dance ended Thursday at 4 o'clock. The purpose of the dance is either for
repentance or for the fulfillment of a vow made probably at the bedside of a sick
relative....
During Thursday afternoon the young boys entertained with riding bucking horses,
lassoing, and bareback riding. In the evening the "breed" dance is held in a circle formed
by wagons placed end to end. The grass dance on Friday was entered by all the Indians in
their most gala attire and the festivities closed Saturday with races both on foot and on
horseback. Everything was over then but moving back to their homes and resuming the
work of summer.
Major Inspects Indian Agency
{Havre Daily News, iaimary 19, 1930)
Major F. C. Campbell, a District Superintendent specializing in industries, for the
Bureau of Indian Affairs, for the Department of Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming and
New Mexico, spent the past two days at the Rocky Boy Agency in the southern part of
Hill County, with Sup. Earl Wooldridge, on an inspecting trip.... Major Campbell's work
at this time is in connection with the placing of Indians in vocational work both on and
off the reservations. . .
Major Campbell states that at the present time there are about 500 Rocky Boy Indians
on the agency, these Indians being Chippewa Cree combination, who never before had a
reservation until assigned the territory now occupied by the Rocky Boy Agency south of
Box Elder....
A portable saw mill has been installed on the agency, and the Indians are getting out
the logs for houses, which are being erected under the supervision of the Superintendent.
95
The Indians are being introduced to the stock business, most of them being interested in
cattle. Six of the hidians have started the sheep business on a small scale, while eight
more have their applications in. The Indians pay for the sheep (they are started with 30
head) out of their profits over a five year period. One dollar is held out of the proceeds of
the wool of each sheep, and S 1 held fi-om the sale, of each lamb, the balance going to the
owner. Cattle are sold them on the same temis.
A campaign is now under way to get some poultry established on the reservation. An
incubator will be installed, a chicken house built, and it is expected that this summer will
see a large increase in the number of Indian families in the poultry business. An effort is
also being made to insist that each family have its own garden, producing their own food
as far as possible. The children now have school advantages. Health conditions are
improving. The resident nurse has just been transferred to Pueblo, but a new nurse will be
assigned shortly, the matron now substituting in that work until the new nurse arrives...
Rocky Boy Clothing Club Starts
{Havre Daily News, May 17, 1930)
The Bear Paw Clothing Club at the Rocky Boy Agency has organized for its second
year's work, and already held two meetings. This club has a membership of ten. The
officers for this year are Stella Otino, president. Ruby Chief Goes Out, vice president;
Agnes Gopher, secretary. Mrs. C. Tracy is the local leader, assisted by Miss Alice
Whiter.
Special Prizes will be Given at Fair for Best Indian Bead Work
(Hav}-e Daily News, August 20, 1930)
For the first time in the history of the Hill County Fair prizes will be given for the best
Indian beadwork. tanned skins and other native hand work, the premiums amounting in
all to over $71.
The Rocky Boy Indians will be the only tribe to exhibit. Their designs are what is
known as the geometric type as contrasted with the floral designs used by many Plains
Indians. One of the most interesting and complete collections of local Indian bead work
in Havre is owned, by L. K. Devlin of this city.
Six entries have been registered in the Indian teepee race for which prizes of $ 1 0, $5
and $2.50 are offered. The Rocky Boy Indians are also bringing to the fair a miniature
Indian village which is perfect in every detail and will add greatly to their display of
Native handwork.
Final Plans for Rocky Boy Fair Being Completed
(Havre Daily News, February 20, 1 93 1 )
...Arrangements are being made for a mid-winter fair to be held at the Rocky Boy
Indian Agency south of Havre on March 3 and 4. This will be one of a series of fairs at
the Indian agencies in Northern Montana, others being held at Browning. Fort Belknap,
and Fort Peck.
The fair will offer a wide variety of exhibits including school displays, showing of
agricultural and stock raising work, poultry and tame rabbit displays....
96
Isaacs to Talk at Indian Fair
(Hcm-e Daily Neus, February 27. 1931 )
Plans for the mid-winter fair, to be held at the Rocky Boy Indian agency, March 3 and
4, include on the program addresses by E. E. Isaacs, horticulturalist. on "the raising of
potatoes and gardens"; a talk by M. A. Bell, of the North Montana branch experiment
station on feeds and forage crops; and a discussion of swine raising by E. Sandberg,
county agent....
Special Indian Races at Fair August 18 To 22
(Hcnre Daily Ne^vs, August 11, 193?)
"Let mother do it." was the old time motto of the Indian, and just how mother did it
will be shown at the Hill County Fair, when the Indian women will do a daily wagon race
which will include the setting up of a tepee and starting the camp life after a day on the
road. Horses participating in this race will be changed each day.
Arrangements for the participation of the Rocky Boy Indians in the racing program of
the Hill County Fair were about completed on Monday morning, when Chief Samatt and
others conferred with Earl Bronson, Secretary for the Hill County Fair.
Another unique Indian race will be that of old men, over 60 years of age, in war paint
and war regalia, who will race daily, horses being changed each day. . . .
Rocky Boy Indian Has All of the Answers in Helena
(Havre Daily News, September 24, 1953)
HELENA (AP) — City-county sanitarian Richard D. Flemming humorously admitted
Thursday he has made a strategic withdrawal in efforts to remove a three tepee Indian
village fi"om the city limits.
"I am going to have to study the white man's books some more before 1 tangle again
with the sachems of that layout." Fleming said.
Flemming and Jack Lange, assistant city engineer, made a call on the soft but firm-
spoken village spokesman. Jack Denny, Tuesday. They met on Denny's grounds in the
area of Cole and Cherry Streets north of the railway right-of-way.
"We were met at the head tepee door by Denny. Who seemed to know the purpose of
our visit." Flemming explained. The police had been to see him before us. Denny told us
in a firm voice that his people owned the land all ten lots of it. Not only that, but under
the terms of an old treaty Chippewa Indian firefighters had a right to set up camp where
they pleased. "They were fighting the White man's fire northwest of Helena and this was
their family camp. They're taking care of their garbage just as well as many others in the
area and their sanitation facilities were as adequate as others.
Denny told us. "I suppose you came here to kick us off" and that was our general
idea. He told us if we wanted the land we would pay for it.
He wanted to know why he couldn't come to town to live on his own property. He also
gave us a discourse on how God took care of their rights even if we didn't.
He mentioned the Oklahoma oil wells found on Indian land the White man didn't want
and now the fmding of uranium mines on other lands to which the Indian had been
shunted.
"When we asked Denny if he had a building pennit. he told us that he hadn't erected a
building and furthermore he didn't intend to stay. When the work on the fire was done,
Denny said his people were going to pick potatoes in Helena Valley.
97
'"We will not be welfare charges," Denny said. "When our work is done we plan to
return to the Rock\ Boy Reservation.*"
"We left." Flemming. concluded, "as gracefully as possible."
Reservation Creates Disease Control Area
{Havre Independent, April 15, 1954)
Petitions for the creation of a Disease Control Area have been signed by 100 per cent
of the stockowners on the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation according to R. F. Rasmusson,
Hill County extension agent. These signatures have been obtained in connection with the
program being carried out to include all of Hill County in a Brucellosis control program.
The sign-up on the reservation was in charge of Joe Demontiney, Chaimian of the Tribal
Council, and Archie Perry, Farm Management Supervisor.
. . . When 75 per cent of the stock-growers owning 50 per cent of the stock in each of
75 per cent of the townships in the county have signed the petitions, the county is
declared a Disease Control Area by the Livestock Sanitary Board and testing for
Brucellosis can start. It is not expected that much testing for Brucellosis will be carried
out until the fall of 1 954. . .
98
Chapter 4
Cfiihhewa Cne Trimf government
Written By Roger St. Pierre
100
Tribal Government
Link Bear
It seems the Tribal leadership among our Chippewa people has always consisted
of one leader, main person, or under one Chief. This was the case of Rocky Boy because
in 1906 he was asked to provide a list of all of his followers, or members of his tribe. He
listed 109 names as members of his tribe, of which he was the Chief On the other hand,
the Cree people were under another type of leadership. There was one leader, or main
Chief, but leading different smaller groups there were sub-chiefs.
At one time it was believed the Chief of all the Montana Cree was at Basin,
Montana. His name was Little Bear. In 1 896 Buffalo Coat was the
sub-chief in charge of a group of about fifty Indians around the
Great Falls. Ka-Nah-Bay-Zhic-Um (Long Hair) was the sub-chief
around the Marias River area. K.ah-Keesh-kah-Wash Chah-Bay-
Wo was another sub-chief near Billings. Raining Bow or Rain of
the Bow. Lucky Man, Mah-Chop, Pay-Pah-Mish-0-Wait, and
Nan-Ome-Sha were other sub-chiefs of the Cree people in
Montana.
Later, the Chippewas and the Crees came together to live
at their first encampment along the creek bottom where the houses
of Avis Morsette and the late Rose Bernard are now located. Early
in the spring of 1916, all the people of the camp were called to a
meeting at Rocky Boy"s tent. There they discussed lands that could eventually become
the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation. We might call this meeting the beginning of a form of
government called the General Council.
After the reservation was established, it is not known how, when, or what type of
government structure was created. However, we do know that a group of men (referred to
as headmen) approved the May 30, 1917 Tentative Roll of Rocky Boy Indians. The
Tentative Roll contained 658 names and was sent to Washington. D.C. for approval.
From that roll, 206 names were eliminated as being ineligible; as a result the final roll
included only 452 names.
On October 15, 1917 a letter was sent to the Indian
Commissioner in Washington, D.C. that stated "we the
undersigned headmen of the Rocky
Boy Band of Indians in Montana have
held a council and carefully considered
the names on the final roll of the
Rocky Boy Indians approved by the
Secretary of the Interior on July 16,
1917 and we respectfully ask that the
following names of Indians be added to
the roll as they are recognized by us as
1. ,./#|iJflf),\ _^^^M being members of the Rocky Boy Band
3^ , '^f^i) JB^K^m- of Chippewa Indians." These headmen
Au . I i/^-^H^I who held the council and signed the letter were: Ed
Medicine, Big Wind, Joe Big Sky, Baptiste Samatt, Well
Off Man, Walking Eagle, Peter Kennewash, Bow, Shorty
Young Boy, John Gopher, Chief Goes Out. Fine Bow, and
Leon Gardipee. The headmen requested that forty-six names be added to the roll. It is
interesting to note that the forty-six names included several of the indi\iduals who were
101
Pcler Kennewash
Joe Big Sk\
Siikill Face
Baplisic SdiiHill and tantily
Fine Bow
declared ineligible three months earlier, as
well as new names. It is clear that the
headmen were either elected, appointed, or
\olunteers and the> had a "council" meeting.
Around the beginning of 1934,
officials within the BIA. from Washington.
D.C.. wanted Indians
to have more control
over their affairs.
With that in mind,
John Collier, who
was Commissioner of
Indian Affairs wrote
a document entitled
The Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) which set forth the
principles of self-government and self-detemiination for all
Indian people in the United States. Under the IRA. Indians
would write their own constitutions, forming their governing bodies.
In order to get tribes to approve the documents under the IRA (like the
constitution). Collier promised that public lands would be added to the reservations of
tribes who accepted the IRA. On the strength of that, the Chippewa Cree
Tribe was one of the first tribes to adopt the IRA. The tribe voted 172 for
and 7 against adopting the IRA. As a result of adopting the IRA, Collier
held true, at least to part of that promise. That's when Gravel Coulee and
Williamson Range were purchased. But before this
land would be added to the existing reservation, the
government added another requirement. That was the
^m^^^^ tribe must adopt twenty-five additional families into
^Hw the Chippewa Cree Tribe.
)Hh Within a year of adopting the IRA. the
Chippewa Cree Tribe wrote and received approval of ;r,.^,,y xauii
Dan Bflcotiri the Constitution. This newly written constitution
was submitted to a vote of the people who voted on November 2, 1935 to
approve the constitution by a vote of 128 for and 23 against. This became
the governing document that dictates how the Chippewa
Cree Tribe is structured and administered. This
constitution was authored by thirteen individuals. These
individuals were: Jim Denny. Joe Corcoran. Fred Nault.
Frank Billy. Sam Denny. Jim Courchane. Four Souls.
Dan Belcourt. Joe Big Sky. Dan Sangrey, John Parker,
Malcolm Mitchell, and Baptiste Samatt.
The 1934 constitution has always been referred to as The Buck
Skin Book. Fred Nault said in a book he wrote that the only reason the
constitution w as refened to as The Buck Skin Book was because it was
tan in color and looked like buckskin. The Buck Skin Book, among other tilings, sets the
parameters within which the government can operate. The Constitution, or Buck Skin
Book, has sections dealing with how individuals become members of the tribe, how lands
will be handled, elections and nominations, business Committee \acancics. removal or
recall of Business Committee members, powers of the Business Committee, refercndums,
102
Frank Billv
Joe Corcoran
amendments, rights of members, and the judicial branch of government. It also outlines
the organization of the governing body. Because the governing body is the wheel that
makes the government operate, here is an overview of how the governing body was
composed in the 1934 Constitution.
1 . The governing body was called the Business Committee.
2. The governing body was a group of individuals who were elected from six
districts.
3. The districts were: Sangrey, Haystack, Parker School, Agency, Duck Creek,
and Sandy Creek.
4. Business Committee members were elected every year.
5. The Chairman was elected from within the Business Committee.
The Corporate Charter of the Chippewa Cree Tribe was adopted in 1936. The
people voted on July 25, 1936 to approve the charter by a vote of 161 to 5. Based on this
newly approved Tribal Constitution, Malcolm Mitchell was elected as the first Tribal
Chairman of the Chippewa Cree Tribe. The elected official(s) would conduct meetings
with the people who would gather at different houses within their district. The elected
official would conduct his business at these house meetings and bring his district's
feelings to a meeting where all the elected officials would gather. The elected officials
would get paid ten dollars for each meeting they attended.
It goes without saying that times have changed since 1934. Although the 1934
Constitution was created to give the Tribe more sovereignty, the early elected officials
were more of a fonnality than a governing body, because the BIA administered the
programs and made the decisions. Today it is different. In 1993, the Chippewa Cree Tribe
entered into a federally approved program known as Self Governance. Essentially, Self
Governance means the Tribal Governing Body (Tribal Business Committee) takes control
of the monies and programs that were previously managed by the Federal Government.
Since the Business Committee began this Self Governance program, the Tribe now
operates all of the BIA programs. These programs include: roads, forestry, natural
resources, education, law and order, judicial, etc. In addition the Tribe now administers
numerous state programs as well.
As mentioned above. The Buck Skin Book (1934 Constitution) was modified by
the vote of the people on April 22, 1972. The major change was in the organization of the
Governing Body. This included the Chairman running specifically for the Chairman
position (no longer elected within the Committee), Business Committee members being
elected at large (no more districts), temis of office extended to four years on staggered
terms (no longer one year), and elections being held every two years. On January 6, 2004
another election was held to amend the Constitution. These new changes were approved
by a vote of the people and unlike the previous amendment, did not concern the structure
of the Governing Body. Rather these changes affected other aspects of the Constitution.
These included the Tribal Council hiring the Tribal Judges, rather than being elected by
the people, increasing fines and jail terms for Law and Order violations, not allowing
convicted felons to be a candidate for elected positions, etc.
(Written by Roger St. Pierre and edited by Josh Golden)
103
These men wrote the Constitution and By-Laws of the Chippewa Cree Tribe. Standing far
left: Frank Billy and Sam Denny. Front Left To Right: Reinhalt Brust. Chief Clerk for
BT.A, Jim Courchane. Four Souls, Dan Sangrey, and Fred Nault. Top Step Left To Right:
John Parker. Mim Denny. Dan Belcourt, Joe Big Sky. Malcolm Mitchell. Baptiste Sammatt.
Earl Wooldridge. Superintendent, and Joe Corcoran
PICTURE TAKEN! 936 IN FRONT OF OLD GYM.
104
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF THE
CHIPPEWA CREE INDIANS OF THE
ROCKY BOY'S RESERVATION
MONTANA
APPROVED NOVEMBER 23, 1935
PREAMBLE
We. the original and adopted members of the Rocky Boy's Band of Chippewas enrolled upon the
Rocky Boy"s Reservation in the State of Montana, in order to exercise our rights to self-
government, to administer all tribal affairs to the best advantage of the individual members, and to
preserve and increase our tribal resources, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the
Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation. Montana.
ARTICLE I - - - TERRITORY
The jurisdiction of the Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation. Montana, shall
extend to the territory within the Rocky Boy's Reservation as established by Act of September 7.
1916 (39 Stat. 739), amending the Act of February 11, 1915 (38 State. 807), in the State of
Montana, and to such lands as have been or may hereafter be acquired and added to the
Reservation by law.
ARTICLE H - - - MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1. The membership of the Chippewa Cree Tribe shall consist as follows:
(a) All members of the Rocky Boy's Band of Chippewas enrolled as of .June 1. 1934.
(b) All children bom to any member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's
Reservation who is a resident of the reservation at the time of the birth of said children.
(c) All children of one-half or more Indian blood bom to a non-resident member of the Tribe.
SECTION 2. Any Indian, one-half blood or more and a resident of Montana, not a member of
any other reservation, may become a member of this organization provided that two-thirds or more
of the eligible voters cast their ballots at such election, and provided fijrther that two-thirds of
those voting at such election vote in favor of such adoption. All elections to membership shall be
confinned by the Secretary of the Interior.
ARTICLE III - - ORGANIZATION OF GOVERNING BODY
SECTION 1. The governing body of the Chippewa Cree Tribe shall be known as the "Business
Committee."
SECTION 2, The Business Committee shall consist of eight (8) members and a Chairman all of
whom shall be elected on an at-large basis. The Chaimian shall file for that particular office.
SECTION 3. During the first regular meeting following certification of those committee
105
members elected at the biennial election, the Business Committee shall elect from within its own
membership a Vice-Chainnan and such officers and committees as it may deem necessary. The
services of a Tribal Secretary-Treasurer shall be available to the committee. Such tribal
employees shall be hired on the basis of an employment contract.
SECTION 4. The term of office of the Chairman and all other committee members shall be
four (4) years, or until their successors are duly elected and installed.
Those members of the Business Committee who are in office on the effective date of this
amendment shall continue to ser\'e until their successors are duly elected at the November 1972
general election and installed in office. At that election a Chainnan and eight (8) committee
members shall be elected. The Chaimian and four (4) committee members shall be elected for
terms of four (4) years (November 1972 through November 1976 unless earlier removed from
office). The remaining four (4) committee members shall be elected to serve for two (2) year
terms. (November 1972 through November 1974 unless earlier removed from office). The
differing lengths of temis shall apply only to the 1972 election for the purpose of establishing a
system of staggered tenns of office. Thereafter, all temis shall be for four (4) years. Primary
elections shall be in October on even numbered years and general elections shall be in November
of even numbered years. Those eight (8) candidates receiving the higher number of votes in the
primary election will compete in the general election for the temis of office.
Candidates who wish to compete for the office of Chainnan shall specifically file for that
position for a four (4) year term. Those two (2) candidates receiving the higher number of votes in
the primary election for Chairman will compete for Chainnan in the general election for the temi
of office.
SECTION 5. The Business Committee shall be empowered to establish by resolution the rates
of payment to cover necessary expenses of tribal officials and/or tribal employees in connection
with their attending either local or distant meetings considered to be official tribal business. The
Business Committee may change the rates of payment for such expenses. However, any increase
or decrease in such rates shall not apply until one (1) year from the date the increase was
approved.
ARTICLE IV - - - ELECTIONS AND NOMINATIONS
SECTION 1. Tribal members who are at least eighteen (18) years of age on elecfion day shall
be eligible to vote in tribal elections.
SECTION 2. To be eligible for membership on the Business Committee, candidates must have
the following qualifications:
(a) Be a member of the Tribe.
(b) Must ha\ e physically resided within the general area which encompasses the main body of
the reservation or on any land under the jurisdiction of the tribe for two (2) years
immediately prior to the date of the general election.
(c) Must be at least twenty-five (25) years of age on the date of the election.
(d) Should a potential candidate have been convicted of a felony in any State or Federal court
or convicted by tribal court of a misdemeanor involving dishonesty or bribery in handling
tribal affairs, such persons shall not be entitled to be a candidate until five (5) years after
106
completion of his penalty,
(e) If a candidate was ever convicted of use, possession or sale of illegal drugs in any State,
Federal or tribal court, such persons shall not be entitled to be a candidate until five (5)
years after completion of the penalty.
SECTION 3. Any member who wishes to file as a candidate for membership on the Business
Committee, shall deposit with the Election Board a filing fee of $15.00 ($25.00 for the office of
Chairman), to help defray election expenses. Such fee shall not be refianded unless the potential
candidate fails to meet the qualifications. Procedures shall be set forth in the election ordinance
regarding the Election Board's handling of funds received from filing fees. The filing fee may be
adjusted by appropriate amendment to the election ordinance.
The Election Board shall be responsible for insuring that only persons who meet the
qualifications are accepted as candidates for elective office.
SECTION 4. In filling the four (4) vacancies which will occur each two (2) years, not more
than eight (8) candidates receiving the highest number of votes in the October primary election
shall compete for those four (4) positions in the November general election. The four (4)
candidates receiving the highest number of votes in the general election shall be elected. In filling
the one ( 1 ) vacancy for Chairman which will be every four (4) years, not more than two (2)
candidates receiving the highest number of votes in the October primary election shall compete for
that one ( I ) Chainnan position in the November general election.
The candidate receiving the highest number of votes in the general election shall be elected
Chairman.
SECTION 5. Successful candidates shall be installed in office by the Chairman of the Election
Board within fourteen (14) days following certification of results of the general election.
SECTION 6. There shall be an impartial Election Board consisting of five (5) members
responsible for calling and conducting all tribal elections. Three (3) of the five (5) board members
shall be those tribal members who are serving as the Election Board for the County election
precinct No. 28 which includes the reservation.
The tribal members who constitute the precinct Election Board shall appoint two (2) other adult
tribal members to serve with them for tribal election purposes. Those two (2) Board members
shall meet the qualifications set forth in Article IV, Secfion 2 of this constitution and shall be
subject to the provisions of Article V, Section 3.
In addition, the Tribal Secretary-Treasurer shall serve as clerk of the Election Board in a
nonvoting capacity.
A board member shall not serve on the Business Committee and the Election Board at the same
dme. Should either of the two (2) non-precinct board members file as a candidate for any tribal
elective office, they shall automatically lose their position on the Election Board. Should any of
the other three (3) voting members of the Board file for tribal office, they shall request the County
election officials to replace them with other tribal members.
The tribal Election Board shall be created within ten (10) days after the effective date of this
107
amendment. Initial appointments of the two (2) non-precinct members shall be: one (1) member
for a two (2) year tenn and the other for a three (3) year term. Thereafter, as the terms expire,
both appointments shall be for terms of three (3) years. Members may be appointed to successive
terms. Appointments shall be made as provided in paragi-aph two of this Section.
SECTION 7. The specific dates of elections and the procedures for their conduct shall be set
forth in an election ordinance which shall be drafted by the Election Board and approved by a
majority vote of those participating in a tribal referendum called for that purpose by the Election
Board pursuant to Article VIII,
Section 2.
Such ordinance shall include provisions for secret balloting, absentee voting, registration of
voters, a procedure for resolving election disputes and compensation for election officials.
Provisions shall also be included for an impartial interpreter at the polling place during voting
hours to assist those voters requesting help in casting their ballots.
Wherever possible, the Election Board shall coordinate tribal elections with State and County
elections.
ARTICLE V - - - VACANCIES, REMOVAL AND RECALL
SECTION 1. If any elective official shall die, resign, pennanently leave the reservation, or
shall be found guilty while in office of a felony or misdemeanor involving dishonesty in any
Indian. State or Federal court, the Business Committee shall declare the position vacant and direct
the Election Board to call a special election to fill such vacancy. The candidate receiving the
highest number of votes shall be elected.
If six (6) months or less remain before the next primary election the vacated position shall
remain vacant until it is filled at the general election following that primary, except as provided in
Section 1 (f) of the bylaws.
SECTION 2. The Business Committee may by an affimiative vote of at least five (5) members
expel any member for neglect of duty or gross misconduct provided that the accused member shall
be gi\en full and fair opportunity to reply to any and all charges at a designated committee
meeting. It is ftirther stipulated that any such member shall be gi\ en a written statement of the
charges against him at least five (5) days before the meeting at which he is to appear.
SECTION 3. Upon receipt of a valid petition signed by registered voters equal in number to
forty (40) percent of those who voted at the last election, it shall be the duty of the Election Board
to call and conduct, within sixty (60) days, a recall election on any individual who fills an elective
position. The provisions of this section shall also apply to those election board members indicated
in Article IV. Section 6. A majority of those who participate in such election must favor recall in
order for it to become effective provided those who vote constitute at least fifty (50) percent of the
registered voters. Only one (1) recall attempt may be made for any tribal official during a given
tenn of office. No recall petition shall be acted upon until at least six (6) months of the tenn has
expired. No more than one ( 1 ) official at a time may be considered for recall. A recall election
shall not be held if an election for that office is scheduled within ninety (90) days after filing the
recall petition.
108
Should the recall be successful, the vacancy shall be filled as pro\ ided in Section 1 of this
Article. Further details needed to cairy out the intent of this Article shall be set forth in the tribal
election ordinance.
ARTICLE \ I - - - POWERS OF THE COMMITTEE
SECTION 1. The Business Committee shall exercise the following powers subject to any
limitations imposed by the Statutes or the Constitution of the United States and subject further to
all express restrictions upon such powers contained in this constitution and bylaws.
(a) To negotiate with the Federal. Stale and local governments on behalf of the tribe and to
ad\ise and consult with representatix es of the Interior Department on all acti\ities of the
Department that may affect the Rock\ Bo) "s Reservation.
(b) To employ legal counsel for the protection and advancement of the tribe and its members,
the choice of counsel and the fixing of fees to be subject to the approval of the Secretary of
the Interior.
(c) To approve or veto any sale, disposition, lease or encumbrance of tribal lands, interests in
lands or other tribal assets, including oil. gas. and minerals which may be authorized or
executed by the Secretary of the Interior, or the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, or any
other official or Agency of Go\ eminent pro\ ided that no tribal lands shall ever be sold,
encumbered, or leased for a period exceeding that pennitted by existing law. except to the
extent required to implement the proxisions of the loan program designed to help purchase
land in trust as set forth in the Act of April II. 1970 (84 Stat. 120) prox ided such
participation is permitted by the tribe's charter of incorporation.
(d) To ad\ ise the heads of the \ arious Federal departments and other go\ emmental agencies
with regard to all appropriation estimates prior to the submission of such estimates to the
office of Management and Budget and to Congress.
(e) To approve applications for selections of land in confonnity with Article IX of this
constitution.
(t) To manage all economic affairs and enteiprises of the tribe in accordance with the terms of
the tribe's Federal Charter of incoiporation.
(g) To charter subordinate organizations for economic purposes and regulate the actixities of
all cooperatixe associations of members of the tribe,
(h) To appropriate axailable tribal funds for tribal goxemmental operations except that any
proposed expenditure exceeding the tribe's anticipated annual income shall be subject to
approval by a referendum vote.
(i) Future tribal income may be pledged by the Business Committee only in the manner
authorized by Section 5(e) and 5(f) of the tribe's coiporate charter,
(j) To levy taxes upon members of the tribe and to lexy taxes or license fees, subject to rex iexv
by the Secretary of the Interior, upon nonmembers doing business xvithin the resen ation.
(k) To enact resolutions or ordinances not inconsistent xxith Article II of this constitution
governing tribal enrollment and abandonment of membership.
(1) To encourage and foster the arts, crafts, culture, and traditions of the tribe,
(m) To acquire and use for public purposes any part of a selection or land assignment proxided
that adequate compensation is paid by the Business Committee to the holder of such
property,
(n) To enact ordinances goxeming hunting and fishing w ithin the confines of the reserxation.
(o) To delegate to subordinate boards or to cooperative associations which are open to all
members of the tribe any of the foregoing poxxers. reserxing the right to rexiexx any action
109
taken by virtue of such delegated power,
(p) To enact ordinances including a comprehensive law and order code subject to approval by
the Secretary of the Interior governing the conduct of tribal members and providing for
maintenance of law and order. The code shall include such items listed here but not
limited to: jurisdiction, court procedures, civil actions, domestic relations, sentences,
criminal offenses, and organization and procedures of tribal police.
ARTICLE MI - - - POPULAR PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT
SECTION 1. All regular meetings of the Business Committee shall be open to the public, but
visitors may not interfere with proceedings, and may only speak with the consent of the Chainnan.
SECTION 2. All resolutions and ordinances of the Business Committee shall be placed in
writing and posted in public places, and copies shall also be placed with each committee member.
ARTICLE Mil - - - REFERENDUM
SECTION 1. Upon receipt of a valid petition signed by at least one-half (1/2) of the number
who voted at the last election or upon the request of a majority of the members of the Business
Committee as set forth in a resolution, it shall be the duty of the Election Board within sixty (60)
days to submit to popular referendum any enacted or proposed ordinance or resolution of the
Business Committee. The vote of a majority of those who cast ballots in such referendum shall be
conclusive and binding on the committee provided at least three-fourths (3/4) of the registered
voters participate in that referendum.
Any enactment which has been effective for at least six (6) months shall no longer be subject to
referendum.
SECTION 2. For puqiose of adopting or amending an election ordinance, the Election Board is
empowered to call and conduct a referendum election. In such election, a majority of those who
vote shall determine whether the proposal is adopted or rejected provided at least thirty (30)
percent of the registered voters participate in the balloting.
ARTICLE IX - - - TRIBAL LANDS
SECTION 1. No lands now within the reservation boundary, held in trust for the tribe, may be
alienated nor may title pass to any individual.
SECTION 2. Any head of a family who is a member shall be entitled to the use of not more
than 160 acres of land, such land to be known as "a selection".
SECTION 3. Applications for selections shall be presented in writing to the Business
Committee.
SECTION 4. The applicant shall be investigated by the Business Committee before action may
be taken on his application.
SECTION 5. The applicant upon approval of application shall reside upon selection and do a
reasonable amount of improvement for two years before selection is finally approved.
110
SECTION 6. All selections approved by the Superintendent of the reservation at the time of the
approval of this Constitution shall remain in effect.
SECTION 7. If any man has allowed his selection to run down, and has made no effort to keep
up improvements and make a reasonable use of his land, the Business Committee shall have the
right to cancel his selection after due hearing, and to reassign his land to an eligible member of the
tribe provided that such member shall pay to the former occupant of the land the value of all his
improvements as determined by an appraisal board appointed by the Business Committee. This
valuation of the board shall be subject to review and modification by the Business Committee
upon appeal by the man who loses his selection. The Business Committee may allow the man to
remain in his house without the use of the land and reassign the land to any other eligible member.
SECTION 8. Tribal lands not assigned as selections may be used in common for grazing
purposes by all members in accordance with ordinances or resolutions enacted by the Business
Committee, or may be leased by the Business Committee with the approval of the Secretary of the
Interior in accordance with law. Preference shall be given, first, to Indian cooperative
associations, and, secondly, to individual Indians who are members of the Chippewa Cree Tribe.
No lease of tribal lands to a non-member shall be made by the Business Committee unless it shall
appear that no Indian cooperative association or individual member of the tribe is able and willing
to use the land and to pay a reasonable fee for such use, provided no individual member of the
tribe or cooperative association shall be given any preference as to the use of tribal land unless the
stock of such individual member of association is restricted stock and bears the ID brand.
SECTION 9. Improvements of any character made upon selections may be willed to and
inherited by members of the Chippewa Cree Tribe. When improvements are not possible of fair
division, the Business Committee shall dispose of them under such regulations as it may provide.
No pennanent improvements may be removed fi-om any land without the consent of the Business
Committee.
ARTICLE X - - - AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1. This constitution and Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the
qualified voters of the tribe \ oting at an election called for that purpose by the Secretary of the
Interior, provided that at least thirty (30) percent of those entitled to vote shall vote in such
election, but no amendment shall become effective until it shall have been approved by the
Secretary of the Interior. It shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Interior to call an election on
any proposed amendment upon presentation of a petition signed by two-thirds of the eligible
voters of the tribe.
ARTICLE XI - - - RIGHTS OF MEMBERS
In compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (82 Stat. 77). the Chippewa Cree Tribe in
exercising its powers of self-government shall not;
(a) Make or enforce any law prohibiting the free exercise of religion, or abridging the freedom
of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition
for a redress of grievances:
(b) Violate the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects
against unreasonable search and seizures, nor issue warrants, but upon probable cause,
111
supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and
the person or thing to be seized;
(c) Subject any person for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy;
(d) Compel any person in any criminal case to be a witness against himself;
(e) Take any pri\ ate property for a public use without just compensation;
(t) Deny to any person in criminal proceeding the right to a speedy and public trial, to be
informed of the nature and cause of the accusation, to be confronted with the witnesses
against him. to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and at his
own expense to have the assistance of counsel for his defense;
(g) Require excessive bail, impose excessive fines, inflict cruel and unusual punishments, and
in no event impose for conviction of any one offense any penalty or punishment greater
than imprisonment for a tenn of up to one ( 1 ) year and/or a fine of five thousand dollars
($5000) or both;
(h) Deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of its laws or deprive any
person of liberty or property without due process of law;
(i) Pass any bill of attainder or ex post facto law; or
(j) Deny to any person accused of an offense punishable by imprisonment the right, upon
request, to a trial by jury of not less than six (6) persons.
ARTICLE XII - - - JUDICIAL BRANCH
SECTION 1. There shall be established a Judicial Branch within the tribal government to
enforce ordinances and laws of the Business Committee, the Election Board and/or to administer
justice through a tribal court. The Judicial Branch shall also provide an appellant body for tribal
members who are aggrie\ed by decisions of the tribal court.
SECTION 2. There shall be established, the positions of Chief Judge and two (2) Associate
Judges for the tribal court who shall be responsible to carry out the tribe's judicial functions in
accordance with an approved tribal law and order code. The tribal appellate court shall consist of
a Chief Appellate Court Judge who shall select appellate panel members irom a pool of eligible
candidates set by the appellate court.
The Business Committee shall appoint and contract with the Chief Judge and Associate Judges
for the tribal court and the Chief Appellate Court Judge for the tribal appellate court. The Chief
Judge and Associate Judges for the tribal court and the Chief Appellate Court Judge and Appellate
Panel Judges for the appellate court must have extensive tribal judicial experience and be in good
standing to preside over the tribal court and tribal appellate court.
BYLAWS
SECTION \. Organization of Business Committee and Duties of Officers.
(a) The officers of the committee shall be the Chainnan, Vice Chainnan, and such other
officers as may be hereafter designated by the committee.
(b) The Chainnan shall be elected at large. The Vice Chairman and any other officers shall
be elected from within the committee by secret ballot. A non\oting Secretary-Treasurer
shall be selected from outside the committee and retained on an employment contract.
(c) The Chainnan of the Election Board shall administer the oath of office to the newly-
elected members of the Business Committee following certification of their election.
112
(d) In the absence of any officer at a meeting, the Business Committee shall elect a temporary
Chairman to preside for that meeting.
(e) The Chairman of the Committee shall preside over all meetings of the committee, shall
perform all duties of a Chairman and exercise any authority delegated to him by the
committee. He shall vote only in the case of a tie.
(f) The Vice Chairman shall assist the Chairman when called upon to do so, and in the
absence of the Chairman, shall preside. When so presiding, he shall have all the rights,
privileges, and duties as well as the responsibilities of the Chairman. In case of vacancy,
the Vice Chairman shall succeed at once to the office of the Chairman until the next
special or regular election for the office of Chainnan in accordance with Section 1, Article
V of the tribal constitution.
(g) The Secretary-Treasurer, selected pursuant to Subsection (b) above, shall conduct all tribal
correspondence and shall keep an accurate record of all matters transacted at the business
meetings. It shall be his duty to submit promptly to the Superintendent and the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs copies of all minutes of regular and special meetings of
the Business Committee. It shall be his duty to have the minutes permanently bound and
ready for inspection at all reasonable times. It shall also be his duty to receive all petitions,
applications, and other business papers and prepare same for presentation to the Business
Committee. The Secretary- Treasurer shall serve as clerk of the Tribal Election Board in a
nonvoting capacity and shall perform such services as may be set forth in an election
ordinance.
The Secretary-Treasurer shall accept, receive, receipt for, preserve, and safeguard all funds in
the custody of the Business Committee whether they be tribal funds or special ftinds for which the
committee is acting as trustee or custodian. Checks and drafts shall be made out to the "Chippewa
Cree Business Committee" and shall be endorsed "for deposit only". The Secretary-Treasurer
shall deposit all such funds as directed by the Business Committee and shall make and preserve an
accurate record of the money.
Further, he shall report on all receipts and expenditures and the amount and nature of all funds in
his custody. All reports shall be in writing and submitted to the Business Committee at its regular
meetings and at such other times it may request. The Secretary-Treasurer shall not pay out or
otherwise disburse any funds in his possession except when properly authorized to do so by
resolution duly passed by the Business Committee. All checks shall be signed by the Secretary-
Treasurer and countersigned as designated by resolution of the Business Committee.
The books and records of the Secretary-Treasurer shall be audited annually and at other times as
directed by the Business Committee by a competent auditor employed by the Committee. The
Commissioner of Indian Affairs may audit the tribal accounts if he deems it necessary. The
Secretary-Treasurer shall be required to give a surety bond satisfactory to the Business Committee
and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be present at all meetings
of the Business Committee.
SECTION 2. Meetings
(a) The Business Committee shall hold regular business meetings each month at the tribal
office on a date to be set forth by resolution of the committee.
(b) Special meetings may be called at any time by the Chairman upon ten (10) hours written
notice delivered to members of the Business Committee and shall be called and conducted
upon petition by five (5) members of the committee.
(c) A quorum of five (5) committee members shall be present at any meeting before the
113
committee may be officially called to order. Only members of the Business Committee
shall have the right to \ ote.
SECTIONS. Order of Business
(a) Roll Call
(b) Reading of the minutes of previous meeting.
(c) Secretary-Treasurer to report business transactions and present any bills, requisitions,
claims, etc.
(d) Hearing of applications, petitions, complaints, and other business properly coming
before the committee.
(e) Any other business.
(f) Adjournment.
SECTION 4. Procedure for adoption of Constitution and Bylaws.
(a) This Constitution and Bylaws attached hereto shall be in full force and effect whenever
a majority of the aduh voters of Rocky Boy's Band of Chippewas voting at an election
called by the Secretary of the Interior in which at least thirty percent (30%) of the eligible
N'oters shall \ote. shall have ratified such Constitution and Bylaws and the Secretary of the
Interior shall ha\e approved same, as provided in the Act of June 18, 1934, as amended by
the Act of June 15. 1935.
CERTIFICATION OF ADOPTION
Pursuant to an order, approved October 18, 1935, by the Secretary of the Interior, the attached
Constitution and Bylaws were submitted for ratification to the members of the Rocky Boy's Band
of Chippewa's of the Rocky Boy's Reservation and were on November 2, 1935, duly adopted by a
vote of 128 for, and 23 against, in an election in which over 30 percent of those entitled to vote
cast their ballots, in accordance with section 16 of the Indian Reorganization Act of June 18, 1934
(48 Stat. 984). as amended by the Act of June 15, 1935 (Pub. No. 147, 74th Cong.).
JOHN PARKER. Chainmm of Election Board.
MALCOLM MITCHELL, Chainmm of Rocky Boy's Business Committee.
JOE CORCORAN. Secreta)y.
EARL WOOLDRIDGE. Superintendent.
I, Harold L. Ickes, the Secretary of the Interior of the United States of America, by virtue of the
authority granted me by the act of June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 984), as amended, do hereby approve
the attached Constitution and Bylaws of the Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Resen ation.
All rules and regulations heretofore promulgated by the Interior Department or by the Office of
Indian Affairs, so far as they may be incompatible with any of the provisions of the said
Constitution or Bylaws are hereby declared inapplicable to the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky
Boy's Reservation.
All officers and employees of the Interior Department are ordered to abide by the provisions of the
said Constitution and Bylaws.
Approval recommended November 15, 1935.
JOHN COLLIER, Commissioner of Indian .{(fairs.
HAROLD L. ICKES. Secretary of the Interior
WASHINGTON, D. C, November 23. 1935.
Amended by election held April 22, 1972, and approved by Assistant Secretary of the
114
Interior, Harrison Loesch May 17, 1972.
Amended by election held January 6, 2004, and approved by Rocky Mountain Regional
Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Keith Beartusk February 6, 2004
CHIPPEWA CREE TRIBAL CHAIRMEN
1934-2008
3 Chaimian
Dan Sangrey (1937)
4" Chaimian
Dan Belcourt
(1938)
7'" Chaimian
Jolin Parker Sr.
(1942-1945)
5 Chaimian 6'" Chaimian
William "Bill" Morsette Sr Paul Mitchell (1941)
1939-1940. 1Q46-1Q47. 1958)
8 Chaimian
Jim Monteau
(1948-1949)
9'^ Chaimian
Joe Corcoran
(1950)
115
1 ()'" C'liainiian
Four Souls
(1951-1953)
1 3"' Chaimian
Paul Eagleman
(1961)
11'" Chaimian
Joe Demontiney
(1954-1955, 1966-1968)
16'" Chairman
Joe Rosette Sr.
(1969-1970)
14" Chaimian
Ted Laniere Sr.
(1962-1963)
1 7'" Chaimian
John Windy Boy
(1971-1984)
12'" Chaimian
Fred Nault
(1956-1957)
15" Chaimian
Pete Sutherland
(1964-1965)
1 8'" Chaimian
Rocky Stump Sr.
(1985-1992)
116
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•
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19'" Chairman
John "Roddy" Sun Child, Sr.
(1992-1996)
20'" Chairman
Bert Corcoran
(1996-2000)
2r' Chairman
Alvin Windy Boy
(2000-2004)
t
'
liiHHiiHK~...^
22'"^ Chamnan
John "Chance" Houle
(2004-present)
Business Committee Members:
1935 - Malcolm Mitchell (Chairman) only record found from Tribal Constitution
1936 - Louis St. Marks (Chairman), Malcolm Mitchell, Baptiste Samatt, Dan Sangrey,
Victor Nomee, Jim Denny, Four Souls, Jim Smith, Joe Corocoran
1937 - Dan Sangrey (Chairman). Jim Denny, Eagleman, Joe Corcoran. Frank Billy,
Baptiste Samatt, Four Souls
1938 - Dan Belcourt (Chairman) only record found
1939 -William Morsette Sr. (Chairman), Paul Mitchell, Louis St. Marks, Baptiste Samatt
1940 - William Morsette Sr. (Chairman), George Denny. John Parker , James Denny.
Pete Saddler, Fred Nault. Louis St. Marks, Baptiste Samatt , Dan Sangrey, Paul Mitchell
1941 - Paul Mitchel (Chairman), George Denny, William Morsette Sr., Dan Sangrey
117
1942 - John Parker Sr. (Chairman). William Morsette Sr.. John Sangrey. James Denny,
Joe Day Child, (Editors note: Info from Housing Records)
1943 - John Parker Sr. (Chairman). Gabe Lamere, Paul Mitchell, John Sangrey. George
Denny. William Denny. Fred Nault
1944 - John Parker Sr. (Chaimian) only record found
1945 - John Parker Sr. (Chairman) only record found
1946 - William Morsette Sr. (Chainnan) only record found
1947 - William Morsette Sr. (Chainnan). Malcolm Mitchell. William Denny, William
Saddler, Joe Corcoran. Dan Oats. Paul Eagleman, Wolf Child
1948 Jim Monteau (Chainnan) (ndy record found
1949 - Jim Monteau (Chainnan) only record found
1950 - Joe Corcoran (Chainnan) only record found
1951 - Fours Souls (Chainnan). Victor Lamere, Dan Oats, John Little Sun, Malcolm
Mitchell, Pete Sutherland, Frank Billy, Joe Corcoran, Pete Denny
1952 - Four Souls (Chainnan), Joe Corcoran, Frank Billy, Pete Denny, Malcolm
Mitchell, Pete Sutherland, Dan Oats, Joe Stanley, William Morsette Sr.
1953 - Four Souls (Chainnan), Joe Corcoran, Frank Billy, Pete Denny. Malcolm
Mitchell, Pete Sutherland, Dan Oats, Joe Stanley, William Morsette Sr.
1954 - Joe Demontiney (Chainnan). Jim Monteau, Fred Nault. Bill Denny, Malcolm
Mitchell, Frank Billy, Jim Denny, Raymond Parker, Stanley Gardipee, Joe Parisian,
Elmer Belcourt
1955- Joe Demontiney (Chainnan). Jim Monteau, Fred Nault, Bill Denny, Malcolm
Mitchell, Frank Billy. Jim Denny, Raymond Parker, Stanley Gardipee, Joe Parisian
1956 - Fred Nault (Chainnan), Sam Windy Boy, Bill Denny. Art Raining Bird. Malcolm
Mitchell, Frank Billy. James Monteau. Joe Demontiney. Jim Denny, Stanley Gaurdipee
1957 - Fred Nault (Chainnan) only record found
1958 - William Morsette Sr. (Chairman) only record found
1959 - No records found
1960 - William Denny, John Morsette, Joe Demontiney only record found
1961 - Paul Eagleman (Chainnan) only record found
lis
1962 - Ted Lam ere Sr. (Chainnan) only record found
1963 - Ted Lamere Sr. (Chainnan) only record found
1964 - Pete Sutherland (Chairman), William Morsette Sr.. Robert Oats Sr., Wolf Child,
Windy Boy, Joe Demontiney, Joe Rosette, Florence Standing Rock, Ed Eagleman
1965 - Pete Sutherland (Chainnan), Robert Oats, Wolf Child, Windy Boy, Joe
Demontiney Sr., Joe Rosette Sr., Ed Eagleman, William Morsette Sr., Florence Standing
Rock
1966 - Joe Demontiney Sr. (Chairman), William Morsette Sr., Windy Boy, Gilbert
Belcourt, Paul Small, Wolf Child. Richard Small, Robert Oats, Lloyd Billy, Pete
Sutherland, Al Henry, John Windy Boy ( Editors Note: Taken from the rockyhoy.org
website which lists 12 names)
1967 - Joe Demontiney Sr. (Chairman), William Morsette Sr., Gilbert Belcourt. Richard
Small, Paul Small Sr., Windy Boy. John Windy Boy, Lloyd Billy, Al Henry
1968 - Joe Demontiney Sr.(Chairman), Joe Rossette (Vice Chairman), John Windy Boy
(Secretary), Louie Denny. William Morsette Sr., George Sutherland, Cecelia Corcoran,
Pete Denny, Wolf Child
1969 - Joe Rosette, Sr. (Chainnan), Walter R. Denny, Lloyd Billy, George Sutherland,
Pete Denny, John Houle, Cecelia Corcoran, John Windy Boy. Louie Denny
1970 - Joe Rosette Sr. (Chairman). John Windy Boy, Walter Denny, Louis Denny, Lloyd
Billy, George Sutherland, Pete Denny, John Houle, Cecelia Corcoran
1971 - John Windy Boy (Chainnan), Joe Demontiney, Raymond Parker Sr., John
Morsette. Joe Rosette Sr.. Ivan Raining Bird, Arthur Raining Bird, John Houle, William
Denny Jr.
1972 - John Windy Boy (Chainnan), Raymond Parker, John Morsette, Joe Rosette Sr.,
John Houle, Ivan Raining Bird, Joe Demontiney Sr., Art Raining Bird, William Denny Jr.
1973 - John Windy Boy (Chairman), Gerald Chief Belcourt, Ivan Raining Bird (Vice-
Chainnan), Robert Oats Sr., John Houle, John Morsette. Four Souls. Roy Small. Henry
Four Souls
1974 - John Windy Boy (Chairman). Gerald Chief Belcourt, Joe Big Knife, Ivan Raining
Bird, Henry Four Souls, Four Souls, John Morsette, John Houle , Robert Oats Sr.
1975 - John Windy Boy (Chainnan), Joe Rossette Sr., Joe Demontiney Sr.. Raymond
Parker Sr., John Morsette, Joe Big Knife, Robert Oats Sr., Ivan Raining Bird, John Houle
1976 - John Windy Boy (Chainnan). Joe Rossette. Raymond Parker Sr.. Ivan Raining
Bird. Joe Big Knife, Joe Demontiney Sr.. John Morsette. John Houle, Robert Oats Sr.
119
1977 John Windy Boy (Chairman). Robert Stump Sr.. I\ an Raining Bird. Joe Big
Knife. Richard Sangrey, Pete Lamere, Joe Demontiney Sr.. Rayinond Parker Sr. (Note
missing one name)
1978 - John Wind Boy (Chainiian). Raymond Parker Sr.. Ivan Raining Bird, Joe Big
Knife. Robert Stump Sr., Joe Rosette Sr., Pete Lamere, Joe Demontiney Sr., Richard
Sangrey
1979 - John Windy Boy (Chairman). Roger St. Pierre Sr.. Paul Eagleman .Richard
Sangrey, Joe Big Knife, Robert Stump Sr., Rocky Stump Sr., Pete Lamere, Ivan Raining
Bird
1980 - John Windy Boy (Chaimian). Roger St. Pierre. Joe Big Knife Rocky Stump Sr..
Robert Stump Sr., Pete Lamere. I\ an Raining Bird, Richard Sangrey. Donald Meyers
1981 - John Wind Boy (Chaimian). Pete LaMere. William Denny Jr. John Houle. Peter
J. St. Marks. Roger St. Pieire Sr., Paul (Rocky) Small Jr.. Enos Johnson Sr.. Thomas
"Zeke" Parisian
1982 - John Windy Boy (Chairman). Rocky Stump Sr., Gary Eagleman. Peter J.
St. Marks. Gilbert Parker. William Denny Jr.. John Houle. Enos Johnson Sr.. Thomas
"Zeke" Parisian, Joe Rosette Sr.( Editors Note: one too many names on rockyhoy.org
website)
1983 - John Windy Boy (Chairman). Rocky Stump Sr., Gary Eagleman, Pete Lamere,
Gilbert Parker, Joe Rosette Sr., Peter J. St. Marks. William Denny Jr.. John Houle
1984 - John Windy Boy (Chairman), Rocky Stump Sr., Pete Lamere, John Houle, Joe
Rosette Sr., William Denny Sr., Duncan Standing Rock, Gary Eagleman, Peter J.St.
Marks
1985 - Rocky Stump Sr. (Chairman), Joe Rosette Sr., Roger St. Pierre, Duncan Standing
Rock, Gary Eagleman, Raymond Parker Sr., Richard Sangrey, Raymond Parker Jr., John
Houle
1986 - Rocky Stump Sr,(Chairman), Joe Rosette Sr., Roger St. Piene Sr., Duncan
Standing Rock. Gary Eagleman, Richard Sangrey, Raymond Parker Sr., Dan Morsette,
Raymond Parker Jr..
1987 - Rocky Stump Sr.(Chairman). Richard Sangrey. Charles Gopher. Dan Morsette,
Raymond Parker Sr.. John Sunchild. John Windy Boy, Raymond Parker Jr., (One name
missing)
1988 Rocky Stump Sr. (Chairman), Richard Sangrey, Charles Gopher, Daniel
Morsette, Raymond Parker Jr.. John Sunchild. Joe Rosette, Earl Arkinson, Edward
Eagleman
1989 - Rocky Stump Sr.(ChainTian), John Sunchild, Ted Lamere, Raymond Parker Jr,
Pete Lamere, Alvin Windy Boy, Joe Rosette, Edward Eagleman, Earl Arkinson
120
1990 - 1992 - Rocky Stump Sr.(Chairman), John Sunchild, Ted Lamere, Raymond
Parker Jr, Pete Lamere, Alvin Wind Boy, James Morsette, Duncan Standing Rock, Joe
Big Knife
1993 - 1994 - John Sunchild (Chairman), Raymond Parker Jr., James Morsette, Brian
Kelly Eagleman, Duncan Standing Rock, Paul Russette Jr., Joe Big Knife, Alvin Wind
Boy, Leon Sutherland
1995 - 1996 - John Sunchild (Chairman), Duncan Standing Rock. Brain Kelly
Eagleman, Paul Russette Jr., Leon Sutherland. Roger St. Pierre Sr., Bruce Sunchild Sr.,
Kenneth Blatt St. Marks
1996 - 1998 - Bert Corcoran (Chairman), Bruce Sunchild, Alvin Windy Boy. Roger
St. Pierre Sr., Kenneth Blatt St. Marks, Duncan Standing Rock, Lydia Sutherland, Russell
Standing Rock, Arnold Four Souls
1998 - 2000 - Bert Corcoran (Chairman), Alvin Windy Boy . Bruce Sunchild Sr..
Duncan Standing Rock. Brain Kelly Eagleman, Jonathan Windy Boy. Lydia Sutherland,
Russell Standing Rock, Arnold Fours Souls
2000 - 2002 - Alvin Windy Boy (Chainnan), Bruce Sunchild Sr.. Duncan Standing
Rock, Brain Kelly Eagleman, Jonathan Windy Boy, Charles Gopher. Pete Lamere, Tony
Belcourt, Raymond Parker Jr.
2002 - 2004 - Alvin Windy Boy (Chairman), Bruce Sunchild, Raymond Parker Jr., Pete
Lamere, Jonathan Windy Boy , Tony Belcourt, Charles Gopher, John "Chance" Houle,
Russell Gopher
2004 - 2006 - John "Chance" Houle (Chairman). Bruce Sunchild, Raymond Parker Jr..
Brian Kelly Eagleman. Rick Morsette, Jonathan Windy Boy, Donovan Stump, Ken
Writing Bird, Russell Gopher
2006 - 2008 - John "Chance" Houle. (Chairman). Brian Kelly Eagleman, Raymond
Parker Jr., Harlan Baker Gopher. Rick Morsette, Jonathan Windy Boy. Donovan Stump.
Ken Writing Bird. Russell Gopher
Editor 's Note: John Houle and Gilbert Parker both passed away while sening in office.
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Chapter 5
"Hhiorij ofl^ckjj l^oxj "Education
Written by Daryl Wright
124
The History of Rocky Boy Education
Long ago there were no schoolhoitses or books like we have nowadays.
There were no classrooms. But Just the same the children went to school
everyday. Their classroom was the outside of their teepee. Their
instructors M'ere their dads or granddads. The mother taught their
daughters around the home. ...There was no end to an Indian's training
until he (they) got old. Then it was time for him to teach and train his
grandchildren.
Walter Denny, Chippewa Cree Tribal Elder, (Brewer, 1987)
Introduction
In the past, the education of the children was an important part of everyday life for
the Chippewa Cree people. The language was spoken to them while they were still in the
womb and was the primary means of communication in the community. Everyone
participated in their education, teaching them all they needed to know to survive in their
environment. The extended families played a very important role in this process. Aunts
and uncles with specific skills were called upon to help prepare children to fulfill their
roles within the tribal structure. If an uncle was an extremely successfijl hunter or
warrior, he was called upon as a mentor. The same system applied to the women. Should
an aunt or other relative have a special skill, like beading, tanning, or quillwork she was
called upon to assist the children in their education. Tribal elders played a key role in
teaching the philosophy of the tribe. They held ceremonies and provided guidance in
spiritual matters. They taught them about the importance of being a productive member
of the tribe and that honor and generosity established their social standing. One of the
most important morals or lessons that they passed on from one generation to the next was
the importance of the survival of the tribe as a whole. While individual accomplishments
were important, they were viewed from a perspective of how they benefited the tribe. The
Chippewa Cree people had the ideal educational system, designed to insure the survival
of their people and their culture.
125
However, life for the Chippewa Cree people was to change dramatically as the tribe
became inundated by white settlers and their pious desire to bring civilization,
Christianity and education to the Indian communities.
Federal Policy on Indian Education
"Savage ami civilizalion cannot lire ami prosper on the same ground.
One of the tno must die. "
Hiram Price, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 1881
The Rocky Boy Indian Reservation was not created until 1916, and it is important
to understand the policies that guided the development of Indian education. In 1880, there
were a total of 109 day schools and 60 boarding schools in the United States with an
annual American Indian student enrollment of 4,651 (Adams, 58). These schools were
mostly operated by missionary groups, or contract schools receiving federal monies.
Policymakers and reformers, like the Indian Rights Association, became
disappointed with the progress the reservation day schools were making in assimilating
Indian students. Their primary concern was the fact that Indian students attending the
reservation day schools would return to their homes and would relapse into their
traditional ways, thus making it difficult to maintain their assimilation effort. As a result
they made the decision to utilize the boarding school system, located far from the Indian
students" home, as the focal point of American Indian education. Through the 1880s and
into the 1 890s the reservation day schools" student populations grew very little and by the
1900"s there were only 3,860 attending reservation schools. In contrast, the off and on
reservation boarding schools grew from 6,201 in 1885 to 17,708 in 1900. From the
1870"s to 1930 over 100,000 Indian children were enrolled in the federal boarding school
system. These figures do not include the 24,000 who attended federal day schools and the
86,000 Indian children in the mission and public school systems (Eder, Reyner, 151).
In 1882, the policyinakers and refonners began to build upon early efforts of the
Indian educational system to deal with the "Indian Problem". The most notable of these
groups was the Indian Rights Association. An organization composed of religious groups,
philanthropic ci\ ic leaders and government officials. They held their annual meetings at
Lake Mohonk Mountain House (beginning in 1883) a luxurious hotel located on the
northern part of Lake MoHonk in New York, h was here that they began to fonnulate a
plan to bring citizenship to these new wards of the United States Government. But what
end would their efforts have on the native populations? In their rush to bring about a
change in the status of the American Indian they adopted a plan that they believed would
facilitate citizenship and eliminate the "Indian problem. As part of their design the
adopted four main goals for Indian Education, each designed to systematically strip
Indian children of their language, culture and traditional ways. The first was to teach
Indian children the rudiments of reading, writing, and speaking the English language. The
desired outcome was to strip the native languages from the students and replace it with
English. The second was to detribalize by teaching students to individualize. This meant
to teach Indian children to work and to respect the values and beliefs of private property
and accumulation of wealth, so the Indian children would learn to say "I"", instead of
"We"" and "This is mine"" instead of "Ours."" The third goal was to Christianize the
students, stripping them of their culture and traditional beliefs. The last goal was to teach
them the principles of citizenship and the fundamental principles of a democratic
government, but this aim went beyond citizenship. It was also within the design to teach
Indian children the "National Myth"" of how the United States western expansion and the
taking of Indian lands were justifiable. These goals became the guiding principles and
were embedded in Indian education well into the twentieth century (Adams, 21-23). T.J.
Morgan, Commissioner of Indian Affairs delivered an address titled "The New Indian
Educational Policy" before the Annual Meeting of the Indian Rights Association in 1889.
which reinforced these goals and emphasized the need to make haste in the wide spread
application of these goals throughout Indian Country (Morgan. 1889). At the end of his
address it becomes apparent that "Social Darwinism" was guiding his philosophy and
words as he stated;
That education should he in some degree at least equal to that possessed
by his more fortunate uhite neighbor, who. in the struggle for existence,
must of necessity, appear to him in the form of a rival, and before whose
superior numbers he must go down, unless able to compete with him on
his own grounds, with his own weapons. The time has come in our histoiy
for us to recognize the only good Indian is an educated Indian.
It is important to note that many of the issues and resolutions, discussed
and passed during these Conferences at Lake MoHonk. become the forerunners of
legislation and policy concerning how to deal with the "Indian Problem."
ChihliL'ii 111 Ciirlisic Indian Iniluslhal School
The flagship of the
federal boarding schools was
Carlisle Indian Industrial
School, which opened its
doors in 1879, and became the
model for other boarding
schools of this era. Operated
by Captain Richard Henry
Pratt, it was run in a strict,
militaristic fashion with strict
rules and punishments. The
language and traditional ways
of the student were expressly
prohibited and students were
punished for practicing them in any form (Atkins 19. 20). Beatings were a common fonn
of punishment for grieving, speaking their native languages, not understanding English,
attempting to escape and violations of harsh military rules. Their beautiftil and spiritual
Indian names were replaced by Christian names, making it diffcult for the Indian students
to keep even a small part of their cultural identity.
The students spent one half day in basic academic instruction, and the other half
learning trades that would allow the student to earn a living. The girls were taught
domestic skills such as serving tea, cooking and sewing and the boys were taught
farming, blacksmithing and other skills. The goal of this training was to prepare the
student to co-exist in white society, but at the lowest end of the social economic scale.
From 1879 to 1894 Carlisle offered academic instruction through the eighth grade.
Beginning in 1 895 they expanded their academic program beyond the eighth grade. By
1899. over 3,800 students attended Carlisle with only 209 graduating (Adams. 63). When
Carlisle closed in 1918 over 10,000 Indian children passed through its doors and of those
only 8% graduated fi-om the institution.
127
Education beyond the eighth grade was available only at four institutions in 1 895.
Carlisle Indian Industrial School, Haskell Indian School, Chemawa Indian School and
Santa Fe Indian School. Interestingly, by 1920, very few other schools had obtained high
school status (Hailmann. 22).
The devastating impacts of the federal policies on the American Indian finally
came to national attention in 1928. The Institute for Government Research published a
report called "The Problem of Indian Administration" which was edited by Lewis
Merriam and is commonly referred to as the "Merriam Report." The report revealed an
American Indian existence filled with poverty, suffering, discontent and cultural
genocide. The following recommendations concerning Indian Education were identified
in the report;
• Do away with "The Uniform Course of Study," which stressed only the cultural
values of whites:
• Only older children should attend the non-reservation boarding schools;
• Younger children should attend a community school near home;
• The Indian Service must provide youth and parents with tools to adapt to both the
white and Indian world.
The Merriam Report also made the following recommendations that fonned the
foundation for the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 (Merriam, 1928).
1. Strengthen tribal governments and restore the bilateral relationship between the
federal government and tribes;
2. Stop the sale of allotments and restore tribal lands to communal holdings;
3. Provide procedures and funds for tribal economic development;
4. Grant preferential hiring of Indians in the Bureau of Indian Affairs;
5. Recognize and aid tribes in maintaining and developing their cultures, especially
their language, religion and crafts.
John Collier. Indian Affairs Commissioner fi-om 1933 to 1945, used the
Merriam Report to advocate for more congressional tlnancial support to help solve the
"Indian problem" that the United States Government had created. Despite the fact that the
Merriam Report and the 1934 Howard- Wheeler Act, referred as the Indian
Reorganization Act of 1934 (IRA), helped to shift American policies ft-om intolerance to
tolerance concerning native beliefs and language, these changes in policy were slow and
in some cases ignored by those responsible for Indian education. Although there is some
evidence that the idea of culturally relevant curriculum was implemented at the Rocky
Boy Day Schools. An October 1937 article in the Great Falls Tribune praised the Rocky
Boy students for their "natural art talent" and described a mural which the students
created depicting the history of the reservation. The mural co\ ered one school room wall
and was historically accurate based on the records at the Indian Affairs Office in
Washington, D.C. (Brewer, 1987)
In addition to the passage of the IRA. Congress also passed the Johnson-
0"Malley Act on April 16, 1934, to subsidize education, medical attention, and other
services provided by state or territories to Indians li\ ing within their borders.
128
In 1969 a report on the impacts of the educational system on the native population
was detailed in the "1969 Report of the Special Senate Subcommittee on Indian
Education, titled Indian Education: A National Tragedy — A National Challenge." The
report notes:
• Indian student drop-out rates are twice the national average, nearly 100 per cent
in some school districts;
• Achievement levels of Indian children are two to three years below national
nomis. and the Indian child falls further behind the longer he stays in school;
• Indian children, more than any other minority, believe themselves to be "below
average" in intelligence, and twelfth-grade Indian students have the poorest self
concept of any minority group tested;
• Forty thousand Navaho Indians, nearly a third of the entire tribe, are functionally
illiterate in English;
• Less than one fifth of the adult Indian population has completed high school or
its equivalent;
• Nearly 9.000 Indian children nine years old and under are sent away from home
to Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding schools;
• On the average, of a class of 400 students entering a Bureau of Indian Affairs
high school, only 240 will graduate. Of those 240, 67 can be expected to enroll in
college (28% as opposed to a national average of 50 %). Of these 67, only 19 will
graduate from college. Only one out of every 100 Indian college graduates will
receive a master's degree.
In the report the Sub-Committee recognized that policies guiding the education of
American Indian children were a failure of major proportions and a complete change
would be required. In 1972 Congress amended the Higher Education Act of 1965 to
include Title IV, Indian Education to provide extensive support to educate Indian
students and added new structures in the Department of Health, Education and Welfare to
carry out their goals.
The Chippewa Cree and the Boarding School Era
As the Chippewa Cree people wandered throughout the State of Montana in the
late 1880s to 1916, the children from the tribe did not escape being captured and forced
to attend the governmental boarding schools. While some voluntarily went to boarding
schools to escape the extreme poverty that existed in their wandering community, others
were hidden from the church and government authorities by their families.
1879-1915
The Rocky Boy Indian Reservation was not created until 1916; nevertheless
Chippewa and Cree students were forced to attend the government boarding schools as
they wandered throughout the state without a homeland. Fort Shaw Indian School,
located in Sun River Valley, of Montana opened in 1892 and is one of the schools that
historical records indicate members of the Chippewa/Cree Bands were forced to attend.
Fort Shaw was operated in the same fashion as the Carlisle Indian Industrial School.
Peter Nabokov (Nabokov, 1991), in his book Native American Testimony, records the
experience of Lone Wolf a Blackfoot, on his journey and arrival at Fort Shaw Indian
School:
129
// was vciy cold that day when irc were loaded into the wagons. None of
us wanted to go and our parents didn't want to let us go... .Nobody waved
as the wagons, escorted hy the .soldiers, took us toward the school at Fort
Shaw. Once there our belongings were taken from us, even the little
medicine bags our mothers had given to us to protect us from harm.
Eveiything was placed in a heap and set afire (22(1).
It did not matter that Carlisle Indian Industrial School was a thousand miles away;
Indian children could not escape the lessons of the Indian educational system and forced
assimilation.
The Fort Shaw Indian School had a
women's basketball team that dominated the
sport in 1904. The girls" team from Fort Shaw
Indian School attended the St. Louis World's
Fair as part of the Federal government's
"anthropological exhibit" of American Indians
that showcased the success of the Indian
Boarding Schools (Fort Shaw Indian School.
2008). The Fort Shaw team played anyone who
wanted to test them and emerged undefeated.
They received a trophy commemorating their
achievements, declaring them World's Fair
champions. One member of the team was
Emma Sansaver. a Chippewa Cree from the
Havre area, and two other members, Sarah
Mitchell and Flora Lucero, are listed as
Assiniboine Chippewa and Chippewa Cree Piegan respectively. The team mascot,
Gertrude LaRance, was also of Chippewa Cree heritage (Commemorative Booklet,
2004). The accomplishments of these heroes of the past are more than just being
designated "World Champions." it is a testament to the resilience of these native women
to overcome the hardships of life in the boarding school environment.
According to the Rocky Boy Census 1900-1920, complied and revised by Diane
Bynum in 2008 and tribal descendants of Fort Shaw Indian students, the following tribal
members also attended the school, Clara Gardipee Parisian. Thomas Sutheriand, Mary
Bonneau, Louis Mosney, William Courchane. and Sara Black Tongue. Fort Shaw Indian
School closed its doors in 1910. leaving a legacy behind that miiTors any of the tragedies
committed at any boarding school operating during this period.
The research into these eariy efforts continues, though early correspondence and
tribal oral histories indicate that prior to the establishment of the reservation children also
attended boarding schools in Ft. Belknap. Fort Peck. Holy Mission Indian School. St.
Peter's. St. Paul's Indian Mission Schools and the small Catholic school in Loma,
Montana.
The 1 9(14 girl 's ll'orld Champion haskclhall team
from the Fori Shaw Indian Boarding School are
(Front row. from left) Cennle Biitcli. Belle
Johnson(Captain) and Emma Sansaver: (Back row,
from left) Nettie Wirth. Katie Snell. Minnie Burton
and Sarah Mitchell. Not pictured are Genevieve
Healv. Ro.-ie LaRose and Flora Liicero.
1916 to 2008
After the creation of the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation, the policy of removing
children from their homes to the boarding schools of the times continued. Superintendent.
Indian Service reports from 1917 to 1959, and tribal oral histories, provide
documentation that many of our children were sent off-reservation to get an education
and in many of the earlier cases, these children were sent against the wishes of the
130
parents. Rocky Boy Superintendent John Parker reported over one-third of the student
population was attending off-reservation Boarding Schools in 1919 and through the
1930"s the percentage of off-reservation boarding school students continued to rise.
Resistant to the efforts of sending their children to the off reservation schools were many
of whom Parker identified as being full bloods. Agency Superintendent Luman Shotwell
detailed in his report that some of the children, who were identified as incoirigibles. were
some of the first to be shipped off to the distant educational facilities. As a matter of
policy due to the lack of adequate educational facilities trom 1917 to 1930 most
resenation children beyond the fifth grade were sent to the government supported
boarding schools.
Some of the boarding schools identified in these Agency Superintendent reports
were Wahpeton. Genoa, Chemawa, Flandreau. St. Paul Mission. Shoshone School (Ft.
Hall). PieiTC. Ft. Peck. Ft. Belknap and others. One of the little known facts is that during
1923-1924 nine tribal members were sent to Bacone Indian School in Oklahoma, though
little evidence has survived concerning those attending this learning institution (Parker,
1923).
However not all were sent off to these off reservation boarding schools. Mr. Eddie
Whitford recalls how during his youth his parents kept on the mo\ e. staying in one place
no longer than a year at a time to avoid sending him to school. He was ne\ er caught and
sent to school, but not from the lack of effort by the Catholic priests who seemed to have
a special interest in him. He is a tluent Cree speaker and although he is unable to read and
write he has worked his whole life and proxided a good lixing for his family (Eddie
Whitford. Personal Communication. August 17, 2()()S).
Before she died in 1995, Mary .lane DeMontincy Rego, bom in 1924. shared with
her son, Daryl Wright her experience of being taken from her family to attend Flandreau
Indian School in South Dakota. Sometime during the late 1930s reservation
Superintendent \V\H)ldridgc came to her home and told her and her brother John
DeMontincy to pack and be ready, within the week, to be sent to a government boarding
school. Later that week they were taken to the Ha\re train station to begin their joumey.
She and her brother were scared to lea\e their family but found some solace in the fact
that they would be together. Little did they know that they w ere to be separated along the
journey. While sleeping on the train she awoke to the cries of her little brother as two
matrons came on the train and forced her younger brother to follow them. Crying she told
them to leave him alone, that some mistake had been made and they were supposed to go
to the same school. But her cry fell on deaf ears as all she could do was watch them take
him away. She remembered with clarit\ the look on her brother's face as he turned with
tears in his eyes as they led him off to PieiTC Indian School. She recounted her days at
Flandreau where she was punished for speaking her language or for some small infraction
of the schools rules. Sometimes her punishment would be to scrub the floors with nothing
more than a toothbrush and for more serious infractions she recei\ed coiporal
punishment. They taught her all tyT)es of domestic skills that included sewing, food
preparation and serving tea. As long as she lived she always hated w hat they had done to
her and when she returned to the reser\ation it wasn't long before she left in order to
protect her children from experiencing the ordeals that she had sur\i\ed. One of the last
things she told her children was that she regretted not teaching them their language and
cultural ways (Mary Rego, Personal Communication. Winter. 1990).
During the 1940s, we begin to see changes in enforcement of making our children
attend the boarding schools, and parents did ha\ e a say in the matter. Although the policy
of removing Indian children against the wishes of their parents had been prohibited in the
1920s, the policy was in most cases ignored. Allan Crain. resenation principal and
131
teacher indicated that during his time in the Indian Service on the Rocky Boy Indian
Reser\ ation he used three requirements to guide his decision on whether to send a child
to one of the boarding schools. The first was whether the student lived a mile and a half
away from the established bus routes. The second was whether the student was suffering
from social hardships. The third was whether the child was behind in meeting the
established Minimal Essential Goals. Students were no longer recruited and forced to
attend, and many parents came to him with requests to send their student off to school
(Allan Grain, Personal Gommunication. July 16. 2008).
Anna Parker Grain attended Flandreau Indian School for her senior year in the
1950. Although she was not a fluent Gree speaker, she did understand the language. Prior
to attending Flandreau she went to Box Elder High School where she was one of the few
Indian students attending. She disliked the high school and remembers being faced with
prejudice from both non-Indian students and teachers. Her decision to attend Flandreau
Indian School was based on her experiences at Box Elder and the hardships her mother
faced raising her family in a single parent home. Her father had passed away years
earlier. She remembers that times were hard and she and her brother, John Parker,
decided to ease the burden and attend boarding school. Anna thrived in the boarding
school environment and was happy to be in a school surrounded by so many other
Indians. Like all Indian Boarding School systems she attended academic instruction for
half the day and the other half was spent learning industrial skills. She worked in the
school" s bakery and tea room and liked earning her own money for the hours she worked.
She was also taught other domestic skills and remembers the first chore in the morning
was cleaning her room and the dorm area. There were no Indian cultural activities or
classes that taught Indian History at the school. All of the students she remembers spoke
English, which was one of the subjects she liked the best. Her experiences taught her to
be independent and the school provided her with good shelter, good food and the skills to
survive (Anna Grain, Personal Gommunication, August 29, 2008).
During the 1 940s and 1 950s changes in the Boarding Schools system were taking
place. Many of the schools like Garlisle and Fort Shaw closed their doors. Unifonns were
no longer required, and there was still an emphasis on industrial training and academic
achievement. Language and culture were still not taught or encouraged but were tolerated
and punishment for speaking one"s native language was becoming archaic. In addition,
more of the schools taught at the high school level. Nevertheless, some schools clung to
the strict militaristic codes and prohibitions on the use of their native languages into the
1970s
Many of the personal experiences of those attending bordering schools were
influenced by changes in the educational system and many succeeded and adapted readily
because they became fluent in the English language. They were not hampered by having
Ghippewa Gree as the first language spoken in the home.
Reservation Dav Schools 1918 To 1960
Rocky Boy Day School
Rockx' Boy Day School 1921
Rocky Boy Day School
The first school was buih in 1918 in the agency area. The one room log building
was built by Pete Kennewash, Roasting Stick, Jim Denny, Jim Smith, John Courchane
and John Stump. The school did not officially open to receive students until May 1,
1919; it served the first through third grades and there were 27 students attending the
school in 1919 (Parker. 1919).
By 1920, fifty-one children were enrolled in the Rocky Boy Day School with 29
students attending on a regular basis. Mrs. Chattle was the teacher but was scheduled to
leave at the end of the school year. Instruction was based on primary level curriculum and
the girls engaged in sewing and cooking as part of their industrial training. The boys
received some industrial training but equipment and supplies were unavailable at this
time. Books were very limited and only a double swing served as their playground
equipment.
One of the continuing concerns for the agency superintendent was the absence of
children attending the day school. Many parents refiised to send their children to the Day
School or to off- reservation boarding schools, and a special concern for the
superintendent was the children identified as coming fi-om the full-blood families (Parker,
1920).
In 1922, the continuing attendance problems still existed and the Superintendent
Parker wrote "'it was difficult to have a larger attendance, and as all the children who
attended were at school for the first time, with only two exceptions, the number was
sufficient for the school teacher to handle, until they were broken in to some extent."
The superintendent also referred to some children as "these so called incoirigibles" and
he began assigning extra work and entertaining the idea that a jail would encourage a
better attendance ratio, especially amongst the boys who took off at the slightest excuse.
He also writes that these types of students were sent off to the schools designed to
address incorrigible students. However, according to reservation residents and fonner
students, the treatment of their children at the day school was the major concern. The
memories of these times were not happy ones, as they were forbidden to speak their
133
language and punished when caught. Their hair was cut and they were taught to forget the
old ways and learn American \ alues and mores in their place. These punishments and
other problems attributed to the absenteeism rate and soon only 18 children were
attending the day school. A soccer ball and a baseball and bat were added to the play
ground equipment list and the school began to build a library of books available at the
school (Parker. 1922).
By 1 924 student attendance increased to 65 students and there were three teachers
at the school. The superintendent wrote "We have one policeman for the enforcement of
law and order. His duties require that
he keep proper order upon the
reservation and assist the
superintendent and fanner in this; also
to see that children are kept in
attendance at school ( 1924)."" However
with the jail constructed those students
who now refused to attend were either
incarcerated or forced to attend off-
reservation boarding schools. As a
result, soon the one room school house
Tiwjh-.siianhcnrihuinn 1923 could no longer house the increase in
the student population, and in 1925 an
additional room was added to house grades five and six.
The day school had two teachers. Mr. Guthrie and Mrs. McCall. Students in the
fourth grade were not promoted in 1 926 and had to repeat the grade. School enrollment
was 62 students and the average daily attendance was 40 students. The former
playground equipment was no longer around and students had to play on the barren
ground. About this time students were beginning to enroll in 4-H and a new organization
of returning boarding school students was organized by the teachers and the
superintendent to encourage these students to move away from the reservation to seek
employment (Keeley. 1926). Books within the school's library were very limited and the
children were primarily exposed to only their text books, until Havre residents organized
book drives to supply Rocky Boy students with reading materials (School Children,
1926).
A substantial increase in the number of students being served at the day school
had Superintendent Shotwell wondering what to do with the overflow in 1927(Shotwell,
1927). The capacity of the Rocky Boy Day School was 50 students and the school had 57
students enrolled. He responded to this problem by transferring 32 students to other
jurisdictions. However. 25 new students would be entering the next school year and he
anticipated having to send more students to off reservation boarding schools the
following year. The curriculum continued to follow the federal government's educational
policies for Indian schools and assimilation remained the primary goal.
During the 1920"s one of the major goals of the agency superintendants was to
break up the agency camp where most tribal members lived in tents and tipis and to move
them out to their land assignments. Reservation residents were finally mandated by
Superintendent Wooldridge in 1930 to move away from the agency area and out to their
land assignments to begin fanning and ranching. Many were reluctant and soon the
superintendent refused to issue rations to anyone not mo\ ing out to their assignments and
working the land. To provide further encouragement reservation residents were given
incentives to move out to their land assignments and had to sign an agreement stating
they would remain there. Punishment for failure to live up to the terms of the agreement
134
was 30 days in the tribal jail. As a result, many of the students were located too far from
the Rocky Boy Day School and were unable to attend school (Wooldridge, 1930). To
address this concern the Indian Service, which later became the Bureau of Indian Affairs
in the 1950"s, began the construction of several new schools in 1928 to serve the
increased student population in these new districts in the outlying areas. By 1935 there
were six day schools to educate reservation students through the fifth grade in the
outlying districts, and the Agency School serving the sixth, seventh and eighth grades.
Like the boarding schools, the Rocky Boy day schools, allowed only English
as the means of communication during school hours. The non-Indian teachers, followed
the guiding principals of Indian Education adopted by the Indian Service during T.J.
Morgans' term as the Indian Affairs Commissioner. As part of their mission they
attempted to replaces Chippewa Cree traditions and language with American mores and
values. Physical punishment and incareration were often used to discourage children from
speaking their language. Various punishments were used when the Chippewa-Cree
students were caught speaking their own language; doses of castor oil, palms slapped
with rulers, and spankings with yardsticks were the preferred modes of punishments.
Many students "lost their language" because of this experience, while those who were
raised traditionally continued to speak it outside of school (Brewer).
The resistance of the Chippewa Cree parents to the suppression of their language
took one of the three forms. Some parents attempted to withhold their children from
school entirely. Others tried to teach their children as much of the native language and
culture as they could before the children went off to school or during night with a group
of tribal elders. The third group of parents resigned themselves to English-only
schooling. This last group did not attempt to teach their children the native language
because they thought it might handicap them in learning the non-Indian ways (Rocky
Boy, 1973). Each of these issues on the views of parents and students is reflected in the
personal accounts contained in this document.
Sangrey Day School
The first new school to be constructed was Sangrey School in 1928, where the
Village Grocery is presently located and served kindergarten through fifth grades. One
teacher taught at the school and the
grades were combined in the two
room school house. Roger St. Pierre
attended Sangrey Day School during
the 1940"s and remembers being
required to work at various times of
the year in a garden located at Dry
Fork Farms. With limited supplies
and tools they planted, weeded and
Sangrey Day School harvested the garden whose produce
was stored and used to feed students attending the Day Schools. Edward Saddler also
recalls some of his experiences and the punishment he received when he was caught
speaking the Cree language during school hours. He said that the change of lifestyle and
learning a new language made his experience. "Not a good one" (St. Pierre, 2008).
135
Haystack Day School
Havstcick Dciv Sclioal
bST ^-Mj
*•
Haystack Day School was constructed in 1930 and was located along the
Haystack Loop. Like the other schools, one teacher taught all grades in one classroom.
One of the tlrst children to attend the new
school in 1 93 1 was Nadine Ironmaker
Morsette. Nadine Morsette is an 83 year
old tribal elder who vividly recalls her
educational experience. Born in 1924, she
was orphaned by the time she was three
years of age. She recalls being raised by
her relatives and the community and was
convinced by her sister Ruby Chief Goes
Out Stiffann to begin attending the day
school in Haystack where she could be fed good food. Her name at the time was Ne-Chi,
a nickname for Tea Maker, and she spoke no English.
The tlrst words she learned to speak and understand at her new school were "You
may stand." Punishment for speaking her
language was a severe rap across the
hands with a thick ruler. She was scared
and couldn't understand why she was
attending school. She said that it "made I I '"^'IP!*.!
me backwards. 1 wanted to be invisible,
blend in and not be seen or heard... that's
how I grew up and 1 promised myself that
one day 1 would speak their language.""
Any fomi of practicing cultural or
traditional beliefs was also a "no-no"" and ^^^^
Slinlciils iillcndiii^ Hiiysliick Day Scliool
was also met with a severe rap across the hands. By the time she went to the Agency
School, her name had changed to Nadine, and she still couldn't speak the English
language very well. However she persevered and graduated from the agency school.
^'^ _ After her graduation from the agency school, she spent a
small amount of time attending Box Elder High School. The
Lutheran Church had a truck with a covering and bench seat in
the back and they transported students to the school. She didn't
know why but she said that, "it wasn't feasible" for her to attend
Box Elder School and she stopped attending the school.
In 1980 she received her GED in Great Falls. Montana
and she went on to receive training as a nurse's aide. She spent
many years teaching the Cree language in the Rocky Boy Schools
and as an elder advisor for Stone Child College. The one regret
she had was not teaching her children the Cree language,
because it's harder for them to participate in the cultural activities
and ceremonies of our tribe. When asked why. she replied, "1
never wanted my children to go through the things 1 had to (Nadine Morsette, Personal
Communication, August, 20, 2008)."
J-J'
\iichiii. .\tor.s,.iu
136
Parker Day School
The Parker Day School was first buiU in 1928 and was a small tarpapered shack
with an area to cook students' meals. A new school was constructed in 1930. on the
present home site of Videl Stump. Charles "Chice" Gopher was bom in 1933. and
attended Parker Day School in 1939 or 1940. He came from a traditional family and
spoke no English when he went to school. His family encouraged him to learn English
and their ways so he would be capable of making a good living for himself Before the
first day of school his uncle came to his house and cut his hair so he would look good. He
remembers his first teacher Ms. Portman whom he described as mean. The first things he
learned to say in English were his name, where he lived and who his relatives were.
In the fourth grade two
teachers were at Parker Day
School, Mr. and Mrs. Swab. Mr.
Gopher remembers that they were
interested in the Cree language
and often asked students to
translate English into Cree so they
could help the non-English
speaking students. During his
time at this school he followed
the maintenance men around the
school and became fascinated
with the boilers. He set his goal to
although his parents wanted him to
»..-...
■^^i;,i:is^>^ « «3
Parker Day School
become a maintenance man and did so later in life
become a mechanic.
During the evenings, tribal elders like Shorty Young Boy. Chief Goes Out, Well
Off Man. Jim Russette and Pete DeMontiney would gather the children up and they
would meet at one of their homes. These gatherings were another part of his education.
They would teach the songs and different aspects of
the Cree culture and traditions, reminding him never
to forget what they were teaching him and the other
young ones. They also taught him discipline; if he was
seen doing something wrong it was during this time
that they corrected him. He remembers these were
times of lots of sharing in the community and during
the appropriate times of the year the elders would
conduct the tribal ceremonies (Charles Gopher,
Personal Communication August 22, 2008).
Today. Charles Gopher is a member of the
Tribal Elders Committee for the tribe and is always
busy helping to teach the community members about
the Chippewa Cree culture. He is always available to
talk, and in the ways of past tribal elders, always
speaks in a humble manner.
Alhin Crain. teacher with students at
Parker Day School. Videl Slump is on the
rights side of Mr. Crain
137
Parker Canyon Day School
Little of the history ot Parker Canyon Day School survives in the memories of the
Chippewa Cree people. It was a temporary school and was in existence for only a couple
of years. It was built in 1931 and was abandoned after busses were available to transport
students fi-om this area to the better built day schools on the reservation.
Sa^vmill Dav School
Sa»niill Day School
The Sawmill Day School was constructed to meet the needs of students whose
parents had mo\ed to the mountains to work at the tribal sawmill and on other projects
funded through the Indian New Deal of
the Roosevelt Administration. In 1933
the first school in the Sawmill area held
classes in a tent. As more fainilies moved
into the area a one room school house
was built and soon there was a need to
construct a larger facility. Ted Russette,
Sr. is 80 years old and attended the
Sawmill Day School in 1934 when it was
still a small one room building. He was
not a Cree speaker when he entered in the
Day School System. In 1935. the new Sawmill Day School was built. His teacher was
Mrs. Sample and he describes his experience as "alright." Behavior problems brought on
a "whipping" but he remembers no one being punished for speaking Cree. What he
remembers the most was the division between the original tribal members and those who
were being adopted into the tribe. The tribal sawmill was destroyed by a fire in 1936. and
his family moved away to work on the Bonneau Dam Project. He still attended Sawmill
School and rode a bus to get to the school. The school operated the bus for two years and
the school temporarily closed in 1938-1939. He then went to school at Haystack Day
School to finish his fifth grade year (Teddy Russette. Sr.. Personal Communication,
August 24. 2008).
According to reservation principal, Allan Crain, it was the most beautiful building
of all the schools constructed on the Rocky Boy Reservation. It was later sold to a
rancher in the Big Sandy Area in 1955.
Agency School
Until the Agency School was built in the agency area to ser\'e the sixth. se\enth
and eighth grades in the 1930"s. many of the students graduating from the other da}
schools were sent to off reservation boarding schools. The school was located in the
agency campus area.
At the Agency School students continued to receive instruction in English,
reading, writing and other academic subject matters. They also received industrial
training; the boys received instruction on fanning and other industrial skills and the girls
received instruction on cooking, sewing and other types of domestic skills. Both the girls
138
and boys proved to be very adept at honing these skills. The girls sewed their own dresses
for school, and helped cook the meals served at the school. The boys worked with wood,
in the shop located adjacent to the school, and built tables, cabinets, chests and other type
of wood projects for their homes.
Videl Stump is 69 years old and was bom in a tent during winter in 1939. He is a
member of the Tribal Elders Committee. Videl and his wife Ruby are frequently called
upon to speak to the children and college students about our way of life. In spite of all
efforts to strip him of his language, he was still a Cree speaker by the time he entered the
higher grades at Agency School in 1951. He remembers that everyone at the school used
the same textbooks, and although the use of the Cree language was not encouraged they
were not punished when caught speaking it. Only poor behavior was dealt with a hard
swat on the backside. Mr. Allan Crain, Mrs. Noble and a Mr. Winston, who he described
as being very mean to the students, were his teachers. Personal Hygiene and cleanliness
were an important part of their training. Every student was assigned chores in the school,
including washing floors, waxing and other duties to keep the school spotless, (When he
attended the Parker Day School they had to remove their shoes and used slippers or a
piece of cloth while in the building). They also helped in the schooFs garden. He liked the
good food served at the school and remembers the cooks, Geneva Houle, Urusla Russette
and Mrs. Van Gordon, very well. He also enjoyed the school picnics, when all the
schools gathered and held different types of competitions, like baseball, sack races and
baseball throws. It was at the Agency school where he learned to play basketball and took
pleasure in traveling along the Hi-line and to Great Falls to play other teams. They often
played teams from the high schools in the sun'ounding area.
As part of his industrial
training he began to take shop
classes, where students were
able to work on wood projects
at the shop building close to
the school. He learned about
the use of different tools and
Agency Sclwoi Safety. In describing the school
he stated that it was more modem than the day schools (Videl Stump, Personal
Communication, August 24, 2008).
Allan Crain, an Indian Service teacher, came to the Rocky Boy Indian
Reservation in 1949 and remained until 1959; he married Anna Parker, a Chippewa Cree
tribal member, while on the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation. When moves to transfer the
educational responsibilities to the Havre School District became evident, he transferred to
the Navajo Resei-vation to finish his commitment to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Upon
his retirement from the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1975 he retumed to the reservation
and continued teaching and served as the Superintendent of School District 87J. His first
teaching assignment on the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation was the Haystack Day School
and used the Manual of Minimal Essential Goals developed for teaching Indian student
by the Indian Service. During his tenure students were not punished for speaking their
language although the teaching of language, tribal history, culture and traditions were still
prohibited and not part of the Manual of Minimal Essential Goals.
Mrs. Pearl Raining Bird Whitford, a 69 year old tribal educator in the Head Start
Program, has fond memories of Mr. Crane. Mrs. Whitford was bom with a hearing defect
and that made it hard for her while attending school. She entered school as a native Cree
speaker and her hearing loss made it difficult to leam the English language. She stated
139
^^^T
— — m
stag; s iii
lSM
■
■K^air^^^^^B
that without Mr. Crain"s help she would have never learned to speak the English
language. (Pearl Raining Bird Whitford, Personal Communication August 1 7, 2008).
Off -Reservation Public Schools -1900-2008
An early account by Fred Nault on his public school experience is recalled in his
book Montana Metis, as told by himself. He was forced out of the Dupuyer public school
system around 1910 because they found out he was of Indian descent. After being forced
to lea\e he attended Holy Family Mission School on the Blackfeet Reservation until the
sixth grade. Although he was prepared to go on to Chemawa Indian School, his
grandfather and grandmother said the school was too far away for them to visit it, so he
ended his education and began working for a living. His experience was not unique as
public schools of the time thought the education of Indian children was a federal
responsibility.
In 1926, Luman ShotwelFs Annual Superintendent Report identified a single
student and by 1931 the number had grown to 36 students attending the public school
system. Most of these students had parents who moved off the reservation for
employment purposes.
The children located within the reservation did attend one of the public school
located near the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation, though prior to 1 950 attendance to these
schools were xery limited. There were three schools close to the reservation. Box Elder
school is located next to the reservation line; Havre Schools were 30 miles north and
Flatness School was located in the Williamson range area. The Flatness School operated
only for a short time and no evidence was available to indicate that any students irom
Rocky Boy attended this school.
Box Elder Schools
Box Elder School was the closest to the reservation; and a small portion of their
school district extends into the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation, a result of additional lands
purchased in the late 1930"s and early 1940"s. Due to a fire in 1964, the school was
destroyed. There is little physical evidence from 1914 to 1964 that survived. A lone
photograph of Box Elder School children shows that five or six tribal members were
attending the school in 1947. Olive Parisian Rosette, a 1974 Northern Montana College
graduate, and Margaret Swan, a 1975 graduate were the first Indian teachers at the Box
Elder School.
Olive Rosette, a non Cree speaker, also attended Box Elder School in her
sophomore year in 1948. She recalls that very few tribal members were attending the
school, and the Indians attending Box Elder weren't treated well. Some of the other
students she remembers attending were Joe Rosette and his brothers, members of the
Corcoran and Hobbs families. Most of these tribal members lived within the School
District Boundaries and although the school and students weren't happy with the new
influx of tribal members, they were allowed to attend (01i\e Rosette. Personal
Communication. August 18, 2008).
It wasn't until the passage of Federal Impact Aid Act in 1950, that we begin to see
an increase in the number of Chippewa Cree students in the surrounding public school
systems. Helen Sunchild Parker recalls being recmited by the Box Elder School in 1951
and although she was frightened by the prospect of attending a school with a very small
Indian student population, she attended Box Elder High School. (Helen Parker. Personal
Communication. July 29. 2008).
140
Federal Impact Aid and the lure of Johnson O'Malley funding, to augment district
fianding, certainly influenced this effort to recruit Indian students in the surrounding
school systems. By 1965, the number of those graduating from Box Elder High School
from the Chippewa Cree Tribe outnumbered the non-Indian students 2 to 1. In 1970 the
number had increased to 5 to 1 and during the 1980s the school's Indian student
population had grown to 95%. Most of these figures are based on the photographs of the
graduating class from Box Elder High School, since Montana's Office of Public
Instruction, has only recorded race/ethnic data beginning in 1997.
In 1990 the Box Elder Schools Indian student enrollment had increased to 96% of
the student body and this figure is consistent through 2008. From 1960 to the present
most non-Indian students migrated out of the district to the Big Sandy and Havre Schools
systems. One of the monumental changes that were incorporated in the curriculum at Box
Elder High School was an Indian History course. In 1967, Mr. Jim Magera, a coach and
teacher at the school, started and taught the first course in Montana to teach Indian
students about themselves. Daryl Wright, the author of this document, remembers the
class and the lively discussions that took place as students became more aware of the
historical events that negatively impacted their people. Box Elder School has also
recently implemented a family program that is grounded in Chippewa Cree cultural
beliefs and language; it has been well received by students and parents and plans are
currently underway to expand the program.
Although very few non-Indians attended the school, the representation for native
concerns on the school board remained in the hands of the non-Indian ranchers and
farmers from the surrounding area. The first tribal member to be elected to the Box Elder
School Board was Walter Swan who was elected sometime in the 1960s (Bob Swan,
Personal Communication, August 20, 2008). By 2000, the school board had become
primarily Indian for the Box Elder School District. In the 2006-2007 school year the Box
Elder School District had grown to over 366 students, with a 96% Indian student
population.
Havre Schools
One of the reasons that few Indians attended the Havre Public Schools in the
1940's and 1950"s was due to the lack of transportation. Those who did attend had
parents working and living in the Havre area or were able to catch rides from their
relatives who traveled daily to work in Havre.
Louise Stump is a 65 year old tribal member who attended both elementary and
high school in Havre for a short period of time in the 1950"s. As an elementary school
student she was labeled as a slow learner and had to sit in the hallways during math and
reading, with the other Indian students. She said "I couldn't help but feel unwanted
because of racial and cultural differences." a feeling that never left her even when she
attended her freshmen year at Havre High School in 1958.
During her freshman year at Havre High School, she had to catch a ride with her
relafives Paul Little Sun and Charlie Writing Bird who worked in the Havre area. In the
winter she stayed with Mrs. Gable, a social worker, and paid her way by helping with
Mrs. Gable's small children. She had no problems in her classes and in Algebra often
assisted other Indian and non-Indian students. Some of her Indian classmates were Faith
Eagleman The Boy and Caroline Denny.
Although she enjoyed school she was subjected to cultural bias throughout her
educadonal experiences in the Havre School District. One of the non-Indian students told
her the teacher would refer to her as "Pocahontas", when she left the classroom. She said
141
nothing, though another student reported it to the administration and the teacher was
reprimanded. Another of her unpleasant memories was walking through town of Havre
on Fridays, with some of the other Indian girls, to find a way back to Rocky Boy for the
weekend. They were often the subject of racial slurs and catcalls by both the younger and
older residents of the Havre Community. When asked whether her children are fluent
Cree speaker she responded. "When they were young they were all fluent speakers
because of their grandmother and now they speak crippled Cree because they were teased
in school and then they quit communicating in their native language."
Later in her life. Louise became a teacher's aide at the Rocky Boy Elementary
School and she graduated from Northern Montana College. In 1975 she became the
director of the Bilingual Music Program. She worked in the area of Bilingual Education
for 10 years and was the Director of Bilingual Education fi-om 1977 to 1982. She is now
the Director of a Teacher Training Program at Stone Child College (Louise Stump.
Personal Communication August 21. 2008).
It isn't until the Havre School District assumed the educational responsibilities,
for reservation students, in 1960 that we begin to see a substantial increase of Indian
students attending schools in Havre. This increase is primarily due to employment and
the fact that the new overseer of Indian education provided a bus to the distant
institutions in Havre, Montana.
Moreover. Federal Impact Aid. Johnson O'Malley. and other financial aid, provided by
the Bureau of Indian Affairs, gave the Havre School District all the incentive needed to
assume the responsibility of educating the children of the Chippewa Cree Tribe.
In the 2005-2006 school year the Indian student population had grown to 21% in
the elementary schools and middle school and 13% at Havre High School (Havre High
School).
A New Direction in Rocky Boy Education
Ri'ils\ Bnr Elcmentan'
In 1959, the Havre School District constructed the elementary school and took
over the education of our children from the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1960. During the
1960"s our people became dissatisfied with the direction of the Havre School District,
and began to dream of controlling their own school system. In the fall of 1968, Mrs.
Dorothy Small was appointed to the newly created Advisory Education Committee, a
group o^ Rocky Boy parents to act as a liaison between the Havre Board of School
Trustees and parents of Rocky Boy students. The Rocky Boy Tribal Council and Havre
Trustees created the committee to handle parent complaints and suggestions as there were
no Rocky Boy representatix es on the board and the 30 mile distance to Havre
discouraged parents from attending board meetings. The advisory committee consisted
of six parents: Robert Fa\el, Chairman; Albert St. Pierre, Vice-Chairman; Alice
Russette, Secretary; Dorothy Small, Treasurer; John Roasting Stick; and Sharon
142
Watson (Brewer, 1987). After becoming disatisfied with the Havre Public School
System they began seeking a new school district for the Rocky Boy community. Mrs.
Alice Russette explains the importance of the advisory committee to effect change for
Rocky Boy students:
From the very beginning we must say that in our status as an advisory
board we were never properly informed of any business transactions or if
we had any ideas of our own, were ignored by the school board of Havre
(Statement Alice Russette).
At this point the committee and Rocky Boy parents realized that the only way
they would have any control over their children's education was to have their own school.
Mrs. Small in an interview with the Great Falls Tribune explained "',.. that at first people
were critical of parents trying to get their own school because they were not educated.
The Tribal Council had tried to do it once before and had failed, so they doubted that
parents with no education could do it." Despite the negativism, the community voted
172-90 in favor of establishing an independent school district in June 1969 (Rocky Boy
Committee, 1970).
After several hearings, meetings and community cultural activities they achieved
their goal during a final hearing with the Hill County Superintendent of Schools, Mrs.
Beathe Campbell and the trustees of the Havre School District 16-a, on February 17,
1970. During a crowded hearing at the Hill County Court House, Robert Favel, Dr.
Lionel DeMontigny, and 148 other tribal members were present and 30 members
provided testimony on failure of the Havre School district to meet the needs of their
children. During the testimony several key points were made:
1. That out of 62 Indian children entering into the eighth grade only 12%
graduated irom the Havre School district;
2. That federal funds received by the Havre School District were being
wasted and failed to provide a quality education for Indian children;
3. That there was no evidence that funds received by the Havre School
District for assistance in providing an education for Indian children
were being used to provide compensatory or other programs specifically
devised for these children. These sources of revenue appear to be added
to the general operation fund of the school district until Fall of 1968;
4. That failure at the High School reflects failure at the grade school level;
5. That discriminatory practice was one of the reasons to request their own
district (Havre Daily News, February 18, 1970).
One of those testifying was Florence Standing Rock who appeared at the meeting in
traditional dress and spoke to the audience in her native Cree language. Many believe that
her testimony was a pivotal point of the proceedings. Louise Stump remembers her
presentation! as she opened she spoke the first part of the testimony in Cree:
Her name was Florence Standing Rock. As she spoke the T. V. cameras
were on and flashbulbs were constantly going off. After she was done, she
said to those attending the hearing in English. "This is the reason we
have to have our own school. I just wanted to show you people that we
have our own cultural needs that we have to address." "You people
worship money so much whenever there is money concerned (rubbing her
143
index Jiugcr caul thumb logclhcr to dciuonstratc greediness) "You put vow-
hands out. She pulled her braids out and said. "This is what we believe in-
-oiir own culture. You people can't teach us that. You can't teach the
things J want niy kids to kiu)w in the juture (Brewer). "
Albert St. Pierre also gave testimony during the hearing:
Rocky Boy people have been unhappy for a long time because thev don't
have any voice in the school. Hlien we go down to Havre school board
meetings it seems they don't want to listen to us. It's been like this for a
long time. For instance, a few years ago there was a teacher who kept
striking the kids. A bunch of us got together and called in the Tribal
Council. We got the school superintendent to the meeting, but right at the
meeting he said, if you can't teach the kids mentally, you have to use force,
you have to pound it into their heads. He said that right at the council
meeting (Statement. Albert St. Pierre).
Several weeks after the hearing, the Superintendent of Schools for Hill County
finally approved the petition for the new Rocky Boy School District 87J on March 1,
1970. and responsibility for the new district was transferred in July 1. 1970 (Havre Daily
News. March 2. 1970). The new district provided educational opportunities for 266
students in the kindergarten through eighth grades, and School District 87J became one of
the few Indian controlled schools in the nation.
Bert Corcoran, a member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe, was hired as the first
Superintendent of the new school district and Gerald Gray, a Blackfoot Cree fi'om
Browning, as the tlrst principal. The tribal members who served as the first School
Board were Dorothy Small. Alice Russette, Albert St. Pierre and Duncan Standing Rock.
With the formation of the new school district with a service area that encompassed the
almost 98% of the reserxation. they began to revise the educational system fi-om the
fonnal schooling pattern of the dominant culture to one that recognized and incorporated
tribal culture within the educational framework. The continuation of Careers Opportunity
Program, begun during the time the district was under the Havre School District, was
important to the school administration. Many of the district's teacher's aides were
pursuing education degrees and were close to completing their degree requirements. They
continued to secure funding from the Department of Labor and Career Opportunities
Program until 1975. Having success in increasing the number of Indian educators who
graduated in 1974 and 1975. many of the aides needed an additional year to complete
their degree programs. They applied for and received an additional year of funding for a
Teachers Training Program from the State of Montana in 1975. These programs proved
highly successful and 36 participants graduated from Northern Montana College. Many
became the first tribal members with their Bachelors Degree in Education to teach at the
Rocky Boy and Box Elder Schools. This was no mean task as the aides had to maintain
their families, teach all day, and attend school at night (Brewer).
With the passage of the Bilingual Educafion Act of 1968 (Title VII), the school
was pro\'ided with a mechanism to help dexelop the means to protect our cultural beliefs
through language retention. In 1971, the Rocky Boy School District obtained funding for
the Bilingual Program and a new era of cultural activities for our students had begun.
Robert Murie was hired as the first director of the Bilingual Program and was succeeded
by Helen Parker. The school began developing Cree curriculum and teaching our
language in Rocky Boy School System. They also developed adult education classes to
144
teach the Cree language to many of our aduhs. Helen Parker, and Ethel Parker. Career
Opportunity Program graduates, were the first bilingual teachers.
In 1971. Sixty-five students in kindergarten and first grade began to receive
instruction in the Cree language, the "oldest American Indian language to ha\e an
alphabet", as well as Chippewa Cree folklore, dance, beadwork. tanning hides and drying
meat fi-om Chippewa Cree elders. By 1973. the Bilingual Progi-am had expanded to
included children in Headstart through the third grade. (Bi-Lingual Project, 1971 ).
Another program that complimented the work being accomplished by the
Bilingual Program was the Rocky Boy Research Project. In 1974, Harold Gray was hired
as the Director and Pat Scott was the primary researcher. The school hired tribal elders.
Art Raining Bird, ,ioe Small, and Walter Denny to work with the Bi-lingual program to
teach not only the students but the adults as well how to read and write the Cree language
in both the syllabic and phonetic fomis. The Rocky Boy Elementary and .Ir. High School
became the focal point and repository as they began to collect and catalog everything
they could on Chippewa Cree language, culture and history.
They recorded the tribal history, and old stories and some of these materials were
de\eloped into cunnculum for use in the school system. The school became the model for
bilingual education and \ isitors and professionals from throughout the country came to
analyze the success we were achieving in our program. Although the funding for the
program ended in 1982. the Rocky Boy Schools continued to operate a Cree language
program. Some of the material is still being used today and being re\itali/ed through the
History and Cree Language program at Stone Child College.
The success of the Bilingual and History Project w ere documented during a
visit by the National hidian Arts and Crafts Board in 1976. Royal B. Hassrick, a
member of the board commented.
ll'lhi! Is hviiiii (-lone iit Rocky Boy is most sii^nificcui! iiiul is soniclhiiii^ the
BIA in its schools luis nc^^cr quite got cirouiul to. (riving Itulinn chihlix'ii a
pride of heritage is the essence of ecliiaition /or them. I ]\us impressed
and the hoard was impressed by the fiict we sa^v happy laces at Rocky Boy
School. These kids are enthusiastic. !'\e heen to enough Indian schools to
know the Indicui schools are not noted for providing this kind of thing—
this happiness cuid enthusiasm. It oh\iously must lunc something to do
with the opercUions there. ...(Davis)
By the time the Rocky Boy people had gained control of their educational system
they had been subjected to over 70 years of the federally mandated assimilation policies,
policies that ha\ e had a lasting effect on generations of Indian children who were forced
to accept the American values and mores. However, in spite o^ being overw helmed by
assimilation policies the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation remains a stronghold of cultural
knowledge and tribal religious practices continue to this day.
Today the Rocky Boy Elementary School has outgrown its present facilities, with
a total student enrollment of 304 and a 100°o Indian student population in the
kindergarten through eighth grades, and is presently seeking funding to build a new
school.
145
Rocky Boy High School
Rockv Boy High School
In 1976 during a community meeting, 63% of
those attending voted to create a high school on the
resenation. The community members were becoming
very concerned over the high dropout rate of our
students who attended other public school systems.
With Federal Department of Education, Title IV
funding, the Rocky Boy Alternative High School
opened its doors in 1979 to meet the need of 32
students who dropped out of the public school system.
In 1980, the school had its first success story and
graduate. Rusty Piapot. Robert Murie served as the first Director of the Alternative
School but left at the end of the 1980 school year to finish his Masters Degree in
Education at MSU-Bozeman.
Irvin "Bobb)"" Wright was then recruited and hired. He changed the name to
Rocky Boy Tribal High School, Home of the Rocky Boy Northern Stars. In 1981, eight
students graduated and by 1982, 70 students were enrolled at the High School and 10
members fi"om the tribe graduated that year. It was on its way to being a permanent part
of the Rocky Boy Educational System. In 1982, School Superintendent Bert Corcoran
and High School Principal Bobby Wright traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with
Bureau of Indian Affairs Education Director, Earl Barlow. The purpose of their meeting
was to discuss the possibilities of Rocky Boy Tribal High School being designated as a
BIA Contract School, which would allow the school to access federal funding to support
the school. Earl Barlow was able to arrange a meeting with the Assistant Secretary of the
Bureau of Indian Affairs so they could make a presentation concerning their request. Mr.
Barlow played an instrumental role in helping present their case to the new
administration. After returning to the Reservation, they anxiously awaited word. Three
days after they returned they received a call infomiing them the request was approved
and Rocky Boy Tribal High became a BIA Contract School. Both Bobby and Bert
continued to work with the BIA and the High School was placed fourth on the high
priority list for new school construction (Personal Interview, Bert Corcoran, July 19.
2008). Bobby left the reservation in 1983 to work on his Doctorate at MSU-Bozeman but
continued to provide technical assistance to the school during 1984.
In 1987. the Rocky Boy Tribal High School was built. After repeated failed
attempts to petition to the Hill County Superintendent of Schools, Shirley Isabel, to create
a new Public High School District. Edward Parisian and Dr. Bob Swan led an appeal to
Montana State Superintendent of Schools, Nancy Keenan (Dr. Bob Swan. Personal
Communications, August 13, 2008). After their successful appeal, in 1989 the Tribal
High School became a public school, and the new high school became part of School
District 87J-L. In 2007 the Rocky Boy High School had its largest graduating class of 36
students and had a total enrollment of 150 students in the ninth through twelfth grades
with a 100% Indian student population.
146
Stone Child College
"The name of the late Peggy Nagel. "Sitting Old Woman '. and Stone
Child College is one that can not he separated. As a lifelong advocate for
education her dedication and hard work is monument to what one can
achieve when working towards a better life for our people. "
Daryl G. Wright /, 2008
^ -f]''^' '*** According to a 401 Planning Grant that developed "A
^►^J^^fi— * "~^^^]^^ Plan for Our People" in the early 1970"s. the Tribe identified
w 1^ 1f'"C''!\ 11^ b"**b I ^ ^^ ^ long-tenn goal the need to develop a Community College
> . m , t™ »i^->»_ jQ meet the educational needs of the Rocky Boy community
r^sH " sometime in the ftiture. In 1980. the Chippewa Cree Tribe
^^^B ., ■ I ^ obtained a P. L. 93-638 contract to assume the responsibilities
^R^l Bt g^ - - i jjfc lj :^- of the Higher Education Scholarship Program from the
Bureau of Indian Affairs. Edward Parisian was hired as the first director for the new
Tribal Education Department and by 1981 the tribe had also contracted the Adult
Vocational Training and Johnson O'Malley programs. He also expanded the Adult
Vocational Training Program to include college courses through an arrangement with
Dull Knife Memorial College on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. Edward Parisian
left the Tribal Education Department in the fall of 1982 to accept a position as the
Superintendent of Rocky Boy Schools. Peggy Nagel was hired to replace Edward
Parisian in 1982 and made one of her primary goals the creation of a tribal community
college. As part of her vision Peggy began working with Edward Stamper, Bobby
Wright, Lydia Sutherland, LuAnne Belcourt, John Sunchild and other tribal members to
make this goal a reality.
In 1984, they gained the support of the Chippewa Cree Business Committee
(Tribal Council) and they passed a tribal ordinance creating the Charter for Stone Child
College, but their work was far from complete. Their next achievement was gaining
recognition as a tribal community college from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
To guide their efforts, the Board of Directors, Peggy Nagel and many others
developed the following Mission Statement to guide the growth and direction of the new
college.
Mission Statement
Stone Child College was established by Chippewa Cree Tribal Ordinance, to coordinate
and regulate all higher education activities on the Rocky Boy's Indian Resenation; to
maintain high standards for staff, faculty, administration and students; to maintain open
enrollment; and to be accessible to potential students. The College is authorized to
develop and operate programs granting degrees and certificates and/or enter into
agreements with public or private agencies to offer post-secondary education on the
Rocky Boy"s Indian Reservation. Emphasis is put on programs leading to degrees. Stone
Child College, in its commitment to quality education, will be responsible for providing
Stone Child College students with:
1 . An opportunity for personal development through educational, cultural and
community activities.
2. Qualified student centered staff, faculty, and administration who will provide
an aesthetic, intellectual, cultural, psychological, and safe environment.
147
3. Encouragement to seek financial opportunities to enhance self-reliance and
become financially independent.
When Stone Child College first
opened its door in the fall of 1985 it was a
satellite campus Dull Knife Memorial
College. Twenty six students were
enrolled for the fall semester at the
institution, and in the Spring of 1986. 94
students from the Rocky Boy Indian
Reservation were pursuing their
educational dreams. At this time they were
located in one of the houses above the Fu-.si Home <>[ Stone cinUi College
Rocky Boy High School. The house had four bedrooms, two upstairs and two
downstairs, which were turned into offices, the kitchen was the receptionist area and the
living room housed the financial aid office and the student area. According to Ed
Stamper, he remembers Peggy calling it a "real communiversity." Classes were held in
space they found available in the schools, churches and other facilities within the
reser\ation. In 1986 the College celebrated its first graduating class of four students,
Theresa LaFromboise, Karen Morsette, Linda Gopher and Carol Oats who earned their
Associate of Arts degrees.
In 1987 the college became an operating affiliate of Salish Kootenai College. The
enrollment at the college continued to climb to 137 students and expanded the degree
program to include an Associates of Arts degree in General Studies-Liberal Arts Option
and Human Services Technology and an Associates of Applied Sciences degree. The
options included General Business. Secretarial Sciences, and Computer Sciences. They
also offered a one year certificate of completion in Secretarial Sciences and two year
certificate of completion in Building Trades.
The overwhelming success of Stone Child College soon forced it to seek out
larger accommodations. Stone Child College had outgrown its old facility and transferred
to the old Tribal High School and former Tribal Administration building. Their student
enrollment had grown fi-om 70 students in 1985 to 241 students in 1993 and they soon
found it necessary to add additional buildings to meet the overwhelming needs of their
student population. After ten years of working towards this dream Stone Child College
received their final accreditafion from the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
Commission in the Spring 1993.
t With the increasing student
^ enrollment and a tribal population
expected to double by the year
2025, the old campus became
overcrowded and could no longer
adequately house the student
population. To address this
s//;///,l: ('/</ II. .»/<//( t eiiieisi,,ih' i iiiUi rnii.;.'. conccHi the Chippewa Cree
Business Committee, College President, and the Board of Regents, began seeking
resources for the construction of a new campus. With the help of RJS and Associates,
grant writers for Stone Child College, they received a gift from the Lily Endowment in
the amount of $1 million. Since 1999, the College has secured additional resources from
a variety of private and federal sources which enabled Stone Child College to build new
facilities (Jim Swan, RJS and Assoc, Personal Communication, July 21. 2008).
148
To begin the development of the new campus, the Chippewa Cree Tribe donated
50 acres of prime cuUivated cropland for the new
college site. Today the new campus consists of
seven new buildings, which many claim to be the
most beautiful buildings on the Rocky Boy Indian
Reservation. The Cultural Archives building,
presently houses several offices, however new
renovations are being planned to house tribal
cultural and historical artifacts. The "Sitting Old
Women Center" houses the Finance Office.
Bookstore, Student Services, Financial Aid and
Library. "Kennewash Hall." is where the School
Administration, faculty, and Higher Education Jon -Cuhhy- Morsetie Vo-Tech Center
offices are located. It also houses the classrooms and labs. Stone Child College also has a
daycare facility for students and community members and a Food Service Building where
students can enjoy a good breakfast and lunch. The "Jon "Cubby" Morsette" Vocational
Technical Center was completed in 2004 and houses a variety of vocational programs as
well as the Fine Arts programs. The latest addition is the Print Shop, where printing and
photograph enhancement take place. Construction is currently underway for the new
gymnasium, for which the college recently secured funding.
From its humble beginnings in 1 984 Stone Child College now offers a wide array
of courses, degree programs and one-year technical training certificates. To date. Stone
Child College has awarded 483 degrees and 1 1 certificates. In 2007-2008 over 476
students took advantage of the educational opportunities available.
The Impacts of Indian Educational Policy on the
Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation
No other race of people has endured more hardships in order to survive than the
American Indian. Federal policy, especially education policy, is one of the historical
tragedies that has affected generations of Indian people. As the Indian Wars came to a
close, we began to see a significant change in the federal policies that focused on the
separation of Indian children fi-om their extended families and most significantly the
stripping of their cultural heritage. It is to this policy that many attribute the loss of the
Chippewa and Cree Languages and many of their traditional ways. While an enduring
race, it has been difficult to maintain their identity under the continual barrage of federal
Indian policy designed to accomplish what their guns could not.
Generations of Indian youth were sent to Indian boarding and day schools with one
thought in mind, to detribalize, break up the extended family and to assimilate the Indian
populations. The results of these efforts on the Native population were devastating to
generations of Indian children. The trauma and impacts on the native population are still
felt to this day long after many of Bureau of Indian Affair schools have shut their doors.
When it was no longer an acceptable practice to kill off the Indian problem, the
federal government developed a more systematic approach which would produce the
same desired results. In essence, we are back to square one. Even federal policy has come
full circle, although it been disguised as a push to nationalize educational benchmarks
and to provide all students with a quality education. The new battle cry of "No Child Left
Behind" is just another attempt to assimilate not only natives but all people of color to the
white nomi. It will be years before we will have enough infonnation to analyze the
149
impacts of this legislation, but many native groups have already raised objections. They
see it for what it really is.
According to data collected by Robert Gopher, Tribal Health Planner for the Rocky
Boy Health Board, 65-75" o of our population suffers from alcohol and/or substance abuse
addictions and the resultant health complications. On average, American hidian students
drop out of all grades at a rate more than 1 2 times than that of white students, and they
drop out of high school at a rate three times greater than that of white /students. American
hidian students in Montana also had a three-year average completion rate of 60.6%,
noticeably lower than the White average of 86.6% (Oftlce of Public Instruction's
Montana Statewide Dropout and Graduation Report). Like other Native American
communities, our people experience disproportionately high mortality rates compared to
other Americans from: Alcoholism - 627% higher. Tuberculosis - 533% higher.
Diabetes - 249% higher. Injuries - 204%) higher. Suicide - 72% higher, and Homicide -
63% higher.
In light of the above statistics we begin to realize just how extensively the historical
treatment of the Indian populations and educational impacts of the assimilation process
has negatively affected our communities. Over four generations of our children has been
subjected to the Day and Boarding Schools operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. It
has taken over 500 years of exposure to western civilization and 300 years of assimilation
practices to bring us to the point where the systematic cultural genocidal goals have
almost become a reality. The road back may take just as long to regain our spiritually and
to reverse the impacts.
Stone Child College has successfijlly obtained other grant resources to fiand Rocky
Boy students attending other institutions of higher learning. Following is a breakdown of
these programs:
Program
sec
Instate
Out of
State
4 Year
Grad
Higher Education
Tribal Scholarships
9
38*
17
41
3
Adult Vocational
Training Tribal
Scholarships
11
4*
3
Indian Education
Professional
Development
7
13*
6
English Language
Acquisition
Program
12
3*
->
5
American Indian
College Fund
3
8*
1
5
4
TOTALS
42
66*
23
57
7
*The instate stiidcut immhers do not include Stone Child College students.
150
Conclusion
As a tribe, we must insure our survival and learn from our mistakes and move
forward in developing a new educational system that meets our needs and strengthens our
language, and traditional beliefs and values. Federal policy must not stand in our way.
In order to survive as a Nation we have to take a serious look at the impacts of these
educational efforts and develop methods to reverse the trauma and regain what was
systematically stripped from the minds of our people. We must return to the basis of our
Traditional Pedagogical practices of respecting all things and teaching our children to
survive in the environment which they find themselves. We must walk in both worlds in
order to survive in the future, maintaining a balance of academic excellence and our
traditional beliefs and practices. To accomplish this almost overwhelming task, as
teachers we must take every opportunity to incorporate language, traditional beliefs and
tribal history into every discipline taught in the reservation schools systems today. I must
emphasize that this is not a choice; it is a necessity to ensure the cultural survival of a
race brought to the brink of extinction through a well thought out educational system
designed to do away with the "Indian Problem."
There is no room for "No Child Left Behind", teaching for the test or other types of
educational banking techniques. Ours must be based on our need to revitalize our
language, history and cultural values and traditions.
A History of Rocky Boy Education was written by Daryl G. Wright I, a member of
the ChippcM-a Cree Tribe. He is a graduate student at the University of Montana,
pursuing a Masters of Interdisciplinaiy Studies Degree in English Literacy/Creative
Writing and Native American Studies. He is also a graduate of Stone Child College and
plans to return and teach there.
Works Cited
Adams, David. (1997). Education for Extinction: American Indians and the Boarding
School Experience, 1875-1928, University Press of Kansas.
Atkins, J.D.C. (1887). Indian Commissioner, Annual Report of the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs, House Executive Document no.l, 50''' Cong., T' sess.. serial 2542.
19-23
"Bilingual Project," Rocky Boy Communitv News , 12 November 1971. p. 2;
Rocky Boy School District #87-J, "History of the Chippewa-Cree Indians,"
unpublished manuscript, 1984, Rocky Boy Manuscript Collection, Rocky Boy,
Montana; "School of the People in the Second Year," Rocky Boy Community
News , 12 November 1971, p. 2.
Brewer. Kate. 1986. "History of Rocky Boy Education", unpublished manuscript.
Rocky Boy Manuscript Collection, Rocky Boy Montana
Davis, Jim. (19 December 1975); "Rocky Boy Becomes Model Indian School,"
Great Falls Tribune, 8, 16
151
Carlisle Indian Industrial School. retrieved July 3, 2008 from
http://en.vvikipedia.oru/'wiki/Carlisle Indian Industrial School
Commemorative Booklet (2004). Celebrating the 100th Year Anniversaiy of the Fort
Shan- Iinhan School 1904 U'orhi Campion Women's Basketball Team. Montana
State University-Bozemen
Eder, Jeanne, and John Reyner. (2004). American Indian Education: A Histoiy,
Oklahoma, Oklahoma University Press. 151
Fort Shaw Indian School, retrieved August 30, 2008 from
http:/71ioopedia.nba. com/index. php/Fort Shaw Indian School
Hailmann, William N. ( 1913). Indian Commissioner, Annual Report of Commissioner of
Indian Affairs, Education of the Indian. 22
Havre Daily News. (1970. February 18). "Many Appear to Plead for Rocky Boy School
District." 1
Havre Daily News. (1970. March 2). "Rocky Boy School District is given Approval of
Official". I
Havre High School (School Year 2005-06). Montana Public School Enrollment by
Race/Ethnicity, Reported October 3, 2005, Office of Public Instruction, Helena
Montana
Keeley, John (1926). Rocky Boy Superintendent; Annual Report to the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs, Sec. Ill, Reel 118, United States Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Superintendant Annual Narratives and Statistical Reports, National Archives and
Records Administration, Washington D.C.
Merriam Lewis, et al. (1928). The Problem of Indian Administration. Baltimore, John
Hopkins Press. 21-22, 86-89
Nabokov, Peter (1991). Native American Testimony. New York, Penguin Books 220
Nault. Fred. (1977). Fred Nault: Montana Metis, as told by himself. Rocky Boy.
Chippewa Cree Research Project. 5
Parker, John. (1920). Rocky Boy Superintendent; Annual Report to the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs. Sec. Ill, Reel 118, United States Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Superintendant Annual Narrative and Statistical Report. National Archives and
Records Administration. Washington D.C.
Parker. John. (1922). Rocky Boy Superintendent; Annual Report to the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs, Sec. III. Reel 118. United States Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Superintendant Annual Nairatixe and Statistical Report. National Archives and
Records Administration, Washington D.C.
152
Parker. John. (1923). Rocky Boy Superintendent; Annual Report to the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs, Sec. Ill, Reel 118, United States Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Superintendant Annual Narrative and Statistical Report. National Archives and
Records Administration, Washington D.C.
"Rocky Boy Committee Asks Own School Board." (8 February 1970) Great Falls
Tribune , 21; "Rocky Boy Committee"; "Rocky Boy Seeks", Small,
interview. May 1987.
Rocky Boy Elementary School Bilingual Education Center. (1973). "Who Benefits from
Bilingual Education on the Rocky Boy Reservation?", unpublished manuscript.
Rocky Boy School Manuscript Collection, Rocky Boy, Montana.
"School Children to Give Books to Indians,
November 1 926. p. 6.
The Havre Daily News-Promoter , 12
Shotwell, Luman. (1927). Rocky Boy Superintendent; Annual Reports to the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Sec. Ill, Reel 1 1 8, United States Bureau of
Indian Affairs, Superintendant Annual Narrative and Statistical Report, National
Archives and Records Administration. Washington D.C.
Statement of Alice Russette before the Hill County Superintendent of Education Hill
County Courthouse, Havre, Montana (2 February 1970). Rocky Boy Manuscript
Collection, Rocky Boy, Montana.
Statement of Albert St. Pierre before the Hill County Superintendent of Education.
Hill County Courthouse, Havre, Montana, 2 February 1970. Rocky Boy
Manuscript Collection, Rocky Boy, Montana.
St. Pierre, Roger. (2008). Rocky Boy Education, unpublished manuscript, 1
Wooldridge, Earl. (1930). Rocky Boy Superintendent; Annual Reports to the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Sec. Ill, Reel 118. United States Bureau of
Indian Affairs, Superintendant
Annual Narrative and Statistical Report, National Archives and Records
Administration, Washington D.C.
Rock\- Box Head Start
Stone Child College
153
Square Butte from Box Elder in September
2008
Stone Child College from the parking lot of the SCC Print Shop
154
Sialic Cliild College Presidciil Mcloily IJciirr speaking ul 20(17 SCC Grciduatkni eereinonies
Flute peiidiiiuiiK e led hv Insinieiar Ed Stamper at Stone Child Cidlege 2(10'
155
Hiilih liiiiu Ini/ii hip ,ij Diviik 111 Ban Am
Mountains
liiMilc ihc Bear I'aws wiiiicr 2007
156
It
-J8^^
:f0"W'
Ceil Willi nil Mouiiiain dining IVinicrJUO:
Sionc Child Cullcsic ./(III 'Cnhhy ' Mursciic I o-Jccli Buddinn IVinta J""a
157
/Idiiiir (niiird (I! llic R(ick\ Boy Pnw Wow 2(11)5
J 10,1,11 (iinird. Roch.' Box Paw Wow 200S
158
I 'it'w jroni (iiic of ihc Housing areas in Box Ehk-i
159
Centennial from the gate at the Rodeo grounds
Rodeo from earlier uu/ . ,ii. .1,^ :i
Rescr\atnii:
160
Po-w ]\\>W
Box lihliT Si luHil Aclivitics
161
I
i T
Liiihcian Cliiircli at Rocky Boy Aiicncy now a proUxlcd Historical Site
162
One of the fust school busses on the Rocky Boy Resenation
Bonneau Dam under construction
Malcolm Mitchell and Family
Road Construction
163
Families on the Rocky Box Rcscnuiion
Browns Dam comph'led in 19^4. Square Riiltc in the hackiiround
164
One oj the first gas stations cm the Rocky Boy 's Resen'ation
Roads being done on tlie Rocky Boy 's Reservation, in the 1^30 's
165
'
rf^V«^ STAM F^^>^
^^^^*r:
Gelling wolcr for ihc family
166
Early Saddle from Rocky Boy Resenation
One of the many activities in the early schools on Rocky Boy Resenation
167
"■^^l-.
-!*.•
Young children from the early years
l\t\\ Wow in ilie earl\ \ear.\ on Rocky Buy Re.servalion
168
^ikd
Lutheran Church on Rocky Boy Rescrwiliou early 1900 's innv a historical site
Ouilter in the 1 93(1 's on the Rocky Boy Resenation
170
U'liirc Goose Two Teeth beading a hell
Water Bird flexing a hide
171
u
Sunuit! Mitli horst
Edijic li'ifli f/iiii. ll'illic Smcill. uihl lihhcw Ochino
172
Shrill Wind doing beadwork
Water Bird Girl making Ivvad
/ urf . IssDuulniinc Saldwrs. carlv I 'JOD 's
174
Montana 's Governor Schweitzer at the drum with representatives from all ~ Tribes
r
Spring blanket 2008
175
Chapter 6
J^
%mfiih Cfiarb, Cree fanauaae fesson mans, hre-tesb,
s, hosi tests, ana animal identification
answer K^eijs,
no-ko-m
Grandmother
Mother's Mother
o-J(N<
ni-mo-so-m
Grandfather
Mother's Father
Developed by Ethel Parker, Helen Parker, Florence Sun Child, and Wilma Windy Boy
177
Introduction
The Cree Language Preservation project is the result of a community concern that the
Cree language is now endangered. The long range goal plan is "to develop and presene
the Cree language, culture, history, and philosophy with guidance from our Tribal
elders": by developing a cumculum. Family classes and youth immersion camps will be
implemented using our newly developed curriculum based upon our culture to teach our
language through lessons on culture and tradition.
Baldy Bultc. photo taken during 2005 youth camp
178
Pretest - Parti FAMILY ROLES
Directions: Please fill in the blanks with the correct Cree words.
1 . Name two or more Cree words for a baby ?
a. c.
b. d.
2. What is the correct Cree word for mother ?
a.
3. What is the correct Cree word for father ?
a.
4. What is the correct Cree word for my grandmother ?
a.
5. What is the correct Cree word for my grandfather ?
a.
6. What is the correct Cree word for older sister ?
a.
7. What is the correct Cree word for older brother ?
a.
8. What Cree word can be used for younger sister or brother ?
a.
9. What is the correct way to say siblings in Cree?
a.
10. What would you call your parents in Cree?
a.
179
NAME DATE
MATCH TEST FAMILY ROLES PART ONE
Directions: Draw a line from the English word to the correct Cree word.
BABY NI-KAH-WI-Y
MOTHER NO-KO-M
FATHER NI-MI-S
GRANDMOTHER NI-S-TES-S
GRANDFATHER NI-Y-KI-KWAH-K
OLDER SISTER PE-PI-SI-S
OLDER BROTHER NI-SI-MI-S
YOUNGER SISTER OR BROTHER NI-MO-SO-M
SIBLINGS NO-TAH-WI-Y
PARENTS NI-TI-SAH-NAH-K
180
NAME
DATE
MATCH TEST FAMILY ROLES PART ONE
Directions: Draw a line from the English word to the correct Cree word.
BABY. ,NI-KAH-WI-Y
MOTHE
FATHER
GRANDMOTHE
GRANDFATHE
OLDER SISTER
OLDER BROTHER
YOUNGER SISTER OR BRO
SIBLINGS
PARENTS
NO-KO-M
NI-MI-S
NI-S-TES-S
NI-Y-KI-KWAH-K
PE-PI-SI-S
NI-SI-MI-S
NI-MO-SO-M
NO-TAH-WI-Y
NI-TI-SAH-NAH-K
181
Posttest - Parti FAMILY ROLES
Directions: Please fill the blanks or check the correct boxes.
10. Name the four ways you can say baby in Cree?
a. c.
b. d.
1 1 . Write the correct Cree word for mother ?
a.
12. Write the correct Cree word for father ?
a.
13. Check the correct Cree word for my grandmother ?
I no-ko-m
I ko-ko-m
14. Check the con-ect Cree word for my grandfather ?
ni-mo-som
mo-som
15. Write the con^ect Cree word for older sister ?
a.
16. What does ni-s-te-s mean?
a.
1 7. Write the correct word for siblings in Cree?
a.
9. What does ni-y-ki-kwah-k mean?
a.
18:
Postest - Parti FAMILY ROLES
Directions: Please fill the blanks or check the correct boxes.
1. Name the four ways you can say baby in Cree?
a. pe-pi-si-s c. tah-ko-p-tah-w-sah-n
b. o-s-kah-wah-si-s d. _pe-pi-s
2. Write the correct Cree word for mother?
a. _Ni-kah-wi
3. Write the correct Cree word for father?
a. No-tah-wi-
4. Check the correct Cree word for my grandmother?
X no-ko-m
ko-ko-m
5. Check the correct Cree word for mv grandfather?
X ni-mo-som
mo-som
6.Write the correct Cree word for older sister?
a. ni-mi-s
7. What does ni-s-te-s mean?
a. Older brother
8. Write the correct word for siblings in Cree?
a. 0"nK)Q-^ ni-ti-sah-nah-k
9. What does ni-ki-kwah-k mean?
a. Mv parents
183
NAME DATE
Pretest - Part 2 - A TRADITIONAL SKILLS
Directions: Please fill in the blanks with the correct answers.
L Name at least 10 wild game found in Rocky Boy.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
2, List the common edible wild game found in Rocky Boy.
3. Which of the wild animals hibernate?
4. Which of the wild animals change their color when the seasons change?
5. What is the tradition of a bov"s first hunt and kill';
6. List the wild game that should be skinned.
7. List wild game that should be singed first.
8. Why was the buffalo important?
9. Name at least one bird important to our culture?
184
10. List the different ways wild game can be prepared, e.g. How do you cook a porcupine?
NAME DATE
Pretest - Part 2 - A Traditional Skills
Directions: Please fill in the blanks with the correct answers.
11. Name at least 10 wild game found in Rocky Boy.
A. Deer B. Rabbit C. Prairie Chicken D. Pheasant
E. Porcupine F. Elk G. Rock Chuck H. Duck
I. Cow J. Gopher
Others listed cow, gopher, antelope, fish, beavers, buffalo, grouse, eagle
and skunk.
12. List the common edible wild game found in Rocky Boy.
Deer, rabbit, prairie chicken, pheasant, porcupine, elk, rock chuck, gopher,
antelope, fish, beaver, duck, buffalo, and grouse are edible wild game in
Rocky Boy.
13. Which of the wild animals hibernate?
Gophers, rock chuck and badger hibernate in the winter.
14. Which of the wild animals change their color with the seasons change?
Weasel, rabbits, deer, and elk change their colors when the seasons
change.
15. What is the tradition of a boy's first hunt and kill?
When a young man, brought home his first kill, they should prepare a feast,
invite and elder and pray for the young man.
16.Llst the wild game that should be skinned.
Deer, rabbit, elk, buffalo, porcupine, and antelope, should be skinned.
17. List wild game that should be singed first.
Rock chuck, gophers, prairie chickens and pheasants should be singed first.
18. Why was the buffalo important?
Every part of the buffalo was used.
19. Name at least one bird important to our culture?
Eagle should be named. Other answers to be accepted.
20. List the different ways wild game can be prepared, eg. How do you cook a
porcupine?
Boiled, fried, roasted, and dried are different ways wild game can be
prepared.
185
Post Test - Part 2 - A TRADITIONAL SKILLS
Directions: Please fill in the blanks with the correct answers.
1. There are eighteen wild animals found in Rocky Boy. List all of them.
2. List all the common edible wild animals found in Rocky Boy.
3. List the wild animals that hibernate in the winter.
4. List the animals that change their color as the seasons change?
5. Write the traditional protocol of a boy's first kill on a hunt.
6. List all the wild animals that should be skinned.
7. List the wild game that should be singed first before being cooked.
8. Write why the buffalo was important.
9. What kind of bird is most important to our culture?
10. List all the different ways wild game can be prepared that vou can think
of.
186
Post Test - Part 2 - A TRADITIONAL SKILLS
Directions: Please fill in the blanks with the correct answers.
11. There are eighteen wild animals found in Rocky Boy. List all of them.
Deer, gopher, rabbit, antelope, prairie chiekens. fish, pheasants, beavers,
porcupine, ducks, elk, buffalo, rock chuck, grouse, duck, eagle, con- and, skunk
are all animals found in Rocky- Boy.
12. List all the common edible wild animals found in Rocky Boy.
Deer, rabbit, prairie chickens, pheasants, porcupine, elk, rock chuck, gopher,
antelope, fish, beavers, ducks, buffalo and grouse are all the edible wild animals
found in Rocky Boy.
13. List the wild animals that hibernate in the winter.
Gophers, Rock chuck. Badger and. Skunks are animals that hibernate.
14. List the animals that change their color as to the seasons change?
Weasel, Rabbits, Deer and. Elk change colors as the seasons change
15. Write the traditional protocol of a boy's first kill on a hunt.
When a young man brought home his first kill, they would prepare a feast, invite
an elder and, pray for the young man.
16. List all the wild animals that should be skinned.
Deer, rabbit, elk. buffalo, porcupine, and antelope are wild animals that should
skinned
17. List the wild game that should be singed first before being cooked.
Rock chuck, gophers, prairie chickens, and pheasants are wild animals that
should be singed.
18. Write why the buffalo was important.
Eveiy part of the buffalo was used.
19. What bird is the most important to our culture?
The eagle
20. List all the different ways wild game can be prepared that you can
think of.
Boiled, fried, roasted and, dried are different ways to prepare wild game.
187
mi-ko-ki-si-s
Antelope
188
r-Co.
n
mis-tah-nah-s-k
Badger
189
ah-mi-s-k
Beaver
190
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r^l
ML. ^
fl
-^ ^^hI^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^I
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^iVvK'^
■
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n
pi-si-si-s
Bobcat
191
<"b°JO
n
pah-s-kwah-w-mo-s-
to-s
Buffalo
192
>K)
n
po-si-s
Cat
193
"'^"MiimWwm^-''
JO
n
mo-s-to-s
Cow
194
LAbo-
n
mah-i-kah-ni-s
Coyote
195
>b"9<^>
n
0-kwah-s-kwe-pah-yi-o-s
Deer
196
ah-ti-m
Dog
197
ki-i-w
Eagle
198
.MiJe^
wah-wah-s-ke-so
Elk
199
LqK)
n
mah-ke-si-s
Fox
200
r"U=bU
• n
mis-chah-n-kwah-chah-s
Gopher
201
non=
mi-sah-ti-m
Horse
202
sah-kwe-s
Mink
203
>crq(N
po-tah-chi-ke-so
Mole
204
r-cq
mi-s-tah-ke-so
Mountain Lion
205
wah-chah-s-k
Muskrat
206
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i
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1
%^s^ i
^^Hk^"^' ^^H
-^F^V^lS
w'wSDUff^ ^^^^
A A
• •
pl-l-W
Pheasant
207
66
n
ko-ko-s
Pig
208
bb
kah-Kwah
(or)
bbU
kah-k-kah-chah-w
Porcupine
^09
AO AAo
in-to pi-i-w
Prairie Chicken
210
r
1
i
V
%
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Rabbit
211
V.
;\
■^
\ -^^■!'-
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^;^iW_. ^
>P"dlO
n
o-ki-s-ko-si-s
Rock Chuck
212
mah-yah-ti-k
Sheep
213
si-kah-k
Skunk
214
K)d
n
si-ko-s
Weasel
215
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fjsisofUlpcm 1io]j suhhkmentanj materia fs avai fa ^fe
ammeir location
Compiled by various researchers
222
Addendum
There are several books and documents in various places that can be used as part of the
history of the Rocky Boy"s Indian Reservation. Within this chapter you will tlnd a list of
what we have discovered and where these items are currently located.
The first lists of items were discovered the last week of July 2008 by Brenden Rensink
who is a PH.D. Candidate at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is doing his
dissertation on border-crossing of the Canadian and USA border and part of it would
include the Cree Indians. Preceding this list is an explanation of where these items are
located.
Chippewa Cree Research Archives at Rocky Boy School
Here is a catalog of the materials held at Rocky Boy School. The "archive" is in a
storage room off of the basement classroom of Brenda St. Pierre at Rocky Boy
Elementary School. The file cabinets that hold the collection are along the left wall,
behind some tables. I have listed here the drawers and the titles of most the folders.
Some of the folders had colored tabs, so I made note of that as well. The titles in Bold
are the actual folder labels and everything else is either organizational notes of my own,
or notes on folder contents. For some of the folders that 1 looked through, I have listed
some of the contents of the folders. 1 believe that some of the correspondence materials
(lots in Drawer 3) are the same as the microfilm rolls that the college has.
Here is a photo I took of the file cabinets and I labeled them so they make sense with the
catalog below. The file cabinets to the left and right might hold more stuff, but they were
locked. Also, if you look at the drawers, there are some labels already on there that
appeared to have some sort of organizational system. Also, many of the folders had
numbers assigned to the: like CH4 for a Chippewa folder. CE35 for a Cree folder and so
on. Perhaps there is an actual index somewhere that lists everything in more detail.
Brenden Rensink
Drawer 1
• Blue Folders
o Material for the Red River Rebellion: property of the bilingual
program
o The Queen vs. Louis Riel, accused and convicted of high treason
o Riel reenactment
o Poundmaker
223
Helena conference letters
■ Notes froin Montana State Historical Society (Howard papers MS 27)
Bills to be paid - research
■ Louis Riei"s Quest for Justice - manuscript
■ Deportation in 1 896 manuscript
■ The Chippewa
■ Tiie Cree
Riel Rebellion
■ Shoil history in Bullet list
Riel Rebellion
News clippings
Red River Rebellion - Riel History
Riel, Louis
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - L. Charles Douthwaite
Bibliography - Metis and Canada
Dumont, Gabriel
Gibson, Paris
RiePs Manuscript (translator) Fort Garry Convention, Nov. 16, 1869
Yellow Folders
o Chippewas
• Great Falls Tribune 1 909-1 1 -05 "a Rock> Bo> Defender"
Chippewa treaties
Chippew a culture
History of the Ojibways
History of Ojibways
Reminiscences of the Chippew a Chief Hole-ln-The-Day
Chippewa history
Chippew a Cree leaders - Quinn
Chippew a Cree history - Rocky Boy calendar
Part 1 Rocky Boy History 1907-1939
Anaconda Standard 1908-09-26 "Rocky Boy's Tribe to receive land
1908-1 1-03 - Churchill to Sec. of Intenor
1908-07-31 - Commissioner to Joseph Dixon
1908-03-07 - C.F. Larrabee to Dixon
1 908-02-1 5 - Acting Sec to Moses Clapp
1 908-1 1-16- Churchill to Rocky Boy
1 908-1 1 -28 - Churchill to Sec of Interior
1908-12-25 - Churchill to Sec on InteriorJ.A. Garfield
1 909-04-20 - Thalls W. Wheat to Comm of Indian Affairs
1909-07-09 - Comm. R.G. Valentine to Annstrong
1909-07-17 - Effa Goss (Culbertson, MT) to Dept. of Interior
1909-07-23 - Frank Pierce to Effa Goss
1909-07-26 - ? to Frank Pierce (Acting Sec of Interior)
1909-07-26 - Dixon to Comm.. of Indian Affairs
1909-07-22 - William Powers to Comm. Indian Affairs
1909-08-14 - Comm Indian affairs to William Powers
1909-08-1 1 - Paul B. Babcock to Sec. of Interior
1 909-09-27 - Armstrong to Comm. Of Indian .A.ffairs
1909-10-08 - C.F. Hauke to .\rmstrong
1909-10-02 - Albert R. Chapman to Frank Pier>' (F' Ass Sec of State)
1909-10-16 - Hauke to Chapman
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
224
1909-10-16 - Thomas H. Carter to R.G. Valentine (Comm. Of Indian
Affairs)
1909-10-22 - Haute to reply to Carter
1909-10-25 - Citizens of Culbertson, MT to R.G. Valentine
1909-10-27 - Valentine to Sec of Interior
1909-10-29 - Ballinger (1*' Assistant Sec of Interior) to W.W.
Heffelfniger, Esq and to Moses Clapp
1909-10-26 - Logan to Valentine
1909-1 1 -01 - Valentine to Logan
1 909-1 1 -01 - Valentine to Churchill
1909-1 1 -01 - Valentine to Armstrong
1 909- 1 0-26 - Hauke to Logan
1 909-1 1 -04 - Armstrong to Comm. Of Indian Affairs
1909- 11 -12 -Hauke to Churchill
1 909- 1 1 - 1 2 - Hauke to Armstrong
1 909-1 1 -07 - John Bums to Valentine
1 909- 11-30- Hauke to Bums
1909-1 1-19 - Cut Bank pioneer "Blackfeet made the "goat"""
1909-1 1-23 - Churchill to Comm.. of Indian Affairs
1909-12-07 - Hauke to Churchill
file- census - 1931
file 1932
file - birthdates 1924-1932
file census 1932
file census 1934
file births and deaths 1934-1936
file census, births, deaths 1937-
o Chippewa Cree history, census of 1909 of Rocky Boy's Band TW
Wheat
o Turtle Mountain Chippewas
o Part 2 Rocky Boy History
o 1934 census supplement
o Census 1933
o Rocky Boy Reservation Rocky Boy
o Rocky Boy Reservation Rocky Boy
o Rocky Boy Reservation Rocky Boy
o Rocky Boy Reservation Rocky Boy
o Rocky Boy Reservation Rocky Boy
o Rocky Boy Reservation Rocky Boy
o Rocky Boy Reservation Rocky Boy
'1938
o Rocky Boy Reservation Rocky Boy file census 1939
o Birth and Death 1934-1936
o Deaths 1924-1931
o Supplemental birthdates 1924-32
o Rocky Boy Reservation Rocky Boy file census 1933
o Rocky Boy Reservation Rocky Boy file census 1933
Green files
o Census Hobbema 1929
o Four Souls
o Cree literature
o Council of 12 history '1917
o Original Chippewa Cree action group
o Rocky Boy Reservation missions
o Cree alphabet
o Cree alphabet endings
o % in Cree
225
o Cree History - applications for discharge from treaty
o Cree culture outline
o Bibliography preface
o Montana Historical Society Little Bear's Band 10/27/74
■ 1905-10-12 Great Falls Tribune 'Little Bear calls all his people to their
nati\e land"
o Chippewa Cree history settlement on Blackfeet Res
o Ration ticket of mic-o->vay-ous
o Law concerning prairie buffalo
o Jefferson, R. W estern Cree
o Piapot
o Cree names - Glacier Park
o Cree way project Quebec
o Sun Dance Proclamation
o Montana Historical Society Oct. 28 - Nov 1, 17 and Data
o Rocky Boy Reservation Rocky Boy file 1930
o The trial of Louis Riel, S.A. Arsenych
o Montana Historical Society Library and Archives
Drawer 2
• Red files
o Respect for homes by Art Raining Bird
o Four Souls interview
o Mr. Four Souls
o Bear story
o Ed Belgarde interview
o Belgarde, Ed - Landless Indians
o Bull, James - Hobbema
o Earl Bornson
o Frank Caplette
o Frank Caplette
o Frank Caplette
o Chief Stick, Pat Sr.
o Chief Stick interview
o Chief Stick
o Chief Goes Out, Marilyn
o Lovers of long ago
o Corcoran, Cecilia
o Corcoran, Cecilia
o Coyote
o Dakota Paul
o Day Child, Joe
o Denny Jim
o Walter Denny files
■ W alter Denny - look out story
■ Walter Denny -river story
■ \\ alter Denny - pow wow
■ Captured Blackfeet girls
■ Short stories
■ Homes
226
Stories
Misc. papers
Farewell letter
Misc papers
Duties of a mother
Requests
Ghost story
4 directions
Stories
Speech
Original stories
Chippewa Cree
o Jim Gopher
o Walter Denny - log cabin
o Day Child story
o What is a rainbow
o Art Raining Bird speech
o Promise papers
o Stories
o Indian holiday
o Walter Denny - stories
o Jim Denny story
o Earth, animals, humans
o Stories - Jim Denny, Roasting Stick, Windy Boy
o Indians traveling
o Louis Riel Rebellion
o Early Indians
o Misc papers
o Horse
o Otter
o Mouse
o Deer
o Chicken
o Dog
o Bear
o Duck
o Turtle
o Cat
o Bee
o Milk
o Meat
o Elk
o Potato
o Cow
o Study skills "sial calypso"
o Jean
o United States legal rights of Native Americans born in Canada
o Fred Huntley
o Fred Huntley
o Fred Huntley
227
o
Little Bear
o
Little Bear
o
Walter Denny notebook
o
Joe Mackinaw
o
Mr. Mitchell
o
Pennito
o
Wilfred Pelletier
o
Letter
o
Respect
o
Tribal government
o
Louis Riel Rebellion
o
Canadian Rebellion
o
Blood Indians horse story
o
Cree stories
o
Stories
o
Short story
o
Homes
o
Spiritual lecture story
o
Boney spectre story
o
Stories and recipes
o
Philosophy
o
Tribal history
o
Louis Raining Bird
o
Joe Small
o
Tom Shingobe
o
Small Boy
o
Joe Small
o
Joe Saddleback
o
George Shields
o
Nancy Smith
o
Florence Standing Rock
o
Florence Standing Rock
o
Joe Stanley
o
Joe Small
o
Gilda Stanley
o
Old Man Preaching Book
o
Lydia Sutherland
o
Charles Topsky
o
Charles Topsky
o
Charles Topsky
o
Ernest Totootsis
o
Project stories
o
George Watson
o
W ind\ Boy
o
Eyes to kill
o
Windy Boy
o
Wind> Boy
o
Wind> Boy
o
Roasting Stick nianila en\ elope
Yellow files
228
o Hill 57, Sister Providencia
o Hill 57 b/w pictures
o Hill 57, Tribune news articles
o Little Shell Chippewa
o Landless Indian in Montana
o Historical maps of Montana reservations
o Map of Rocky Boy
o Algonquian dialects
o Chippewa pictures
o Historical photographs
o Chippewa Cree History ko-ne-wa-kop 104 year old Cree woman
o Linderman
Drawer 3
• Elementary school folders
Indian humor #1
Reason why hell divers have red eyes
Pis-kwa was made beautiful
Stories
Chippewa-Cree - all things are related
Cree Indians - The Montana Cree
The talking stone
6"' grade poems
School poems
Nah-tah-ko-sis
Old Indian legend
Contest entries
A man names "Who Coughed Beads"
Religion
How Pis-kwa was made beautiful
Indian humor
Countj' Fair
Reservation progress
Poems
Horse stealing story
Cinderella story - French - Cree
The second international pow wow - transcribed by Kathy Sutherland
Cree primers
Hell divers have red eyes
Things
Children should know
Our home the Bear Paws
What is poverty
Words of the old people - Walter Denney
Rocky Boy Reservation
Poverty on the reservation
Children literature
ah-kah-me-pah-ah-skahn
What is the future of education on the reservation
229
Teepee-setting up a teepee
Education
Indian Education - then and now
Indians acquire own school district
Little pipe story
History contest winners
Love story
Drawings Indian dress, etc. by Vincent Chief Stick
Drawings by \'incent Chief Stick
History contest winners
Drawings Mike Pullin
Drawings - John Chief Stick
Drawings: small animals by Vincent Chief Stick
Drawings niise
•te-'
Draw ings - vegetables and fruits by Vincent Chief Stick
Draw ing - birds of North America by John and Vincent Chief Stick
Ready for signature
Chippewa Cree leaders - Reil
Chippewa Cree leaders - Pennito
Chippewa Cree leaders - Little Shell
Chippewa Cree leaders -Little Poplar
Chippew a Cree leaders -Laframboise
Chippew a Cree leaders -Kennewash
Chippew a Cree leaders -Day Child
Chippew a Cree leaders -
Chippew a Cree leaders -
Copyright issue
Raymond Gray Papers - Cree
Printing regulations - For Rocky Boy School
Big Bear
New s paper articles of Rocky Boy establishment
o Thomas H. Carter Papers
■ 1 909- 1 1 - 1 3 - Havre Plaindealer
■ 1909-07-26 -Great Falls
■ 1 909-07-20 - Culbertson citizens to Thomas Carter
. ] 909-07-3 1 - W. Matthews to Carter
■ 191 0-0 1 -22 - Havre Plaindealer - Rocky Boy \von"t get lands
■ 1 909-08- 1 - FS Reed to Sec of Interior
Report on Rocky Boy progress and letters - Earl NV'oolridge, Superintendent
1929 - Letters from students to Superintendent Shotwell
Rocky Boy Reservation Education
Chippewa Cree History 1908
o 1 908-02-29 - Samuel Bellow to Comm. Of Indian Affairs
Chippewa Cree History 1909
o 1909-10-13 - Armstrong to Comm. Of Indian Affairs
Chippewa Cree History Crees in Montana before the Rocky Boy Res
o 1 896-0 1 - 1 9 - Anaconda Standard p7 "l hose Dirt> Crccs"
o 1887-10-24 - Fort Benton River Press - p. 1 "No Room For The Crees"
230
o 1 898-04-29 - Great Falls Tribune - "Crees to Meet Here"
o 1898-03-19 - Great Falls Tribune "Crees Ask for Help"
o 1 903-0 1 -03 - Great Falls Tribune "Deporting the Crees"
o 1 902-05-1 5 - Calgary Herald "Canadian Indians"
o 1 926-07-05 - The^Butte Miner "Refugee Cree Tribe"
Chippewa Cree History - Deportation of Crees in 1896
o 1901-07-15 - W.A. Jones to Sec of Interior
o 1901-12-20 - Great Falls Tribune "Help for Them on Reservation:
o 1 896-06- 1 9 - Great Falls Tribune "The Crees are Under Arrest"
o 1 896-06-1 1 - Great Falls Tribune - "The Cree Situation"
o 1 896-05-2 1 - GF Trib ""Buffalo Coat Will Resisf "
o 54"' cong., Sess. 1 ., May 1 3, 1 896. Chap 1 75 - "Act for Deporting Crees"
o 1 896-06-06 - GF Tribune - "More Facts About the Crees"
Chippewa Cree History 1911
o 191 1 -09-01 - Indians of Rocky Boy's Band who have been allotted on
Blackfeet Res
o 191 1-12-00 - 2"^ Assist. Comm.. to Na-Tay
o 1911-01-27- Abbott to Mcfatridge
o 191 1-02-01 - Mcfatridge to Comm. Of Indian Affairs
o 1 9 1 1 -02-24 - Abbott to Mcfatridge
o 191 1-03-04 -Valentine to Dixon
o 1911 -07- 1 9 - John b. Bottin XXX To Hauke
o 1911-08-01- Valentine to pray
o 1911-08-12- Hauke to Cobum
o 191 1-07-31 - Cobum to Comm. Of Indian Affairs
Chippewa Cree History 1910
o 1910-1 2-27 - Mcfatridge to Comm. Of Indian Affairs
o 191 0-02- 1 2 - Memorandum Office of Indian Affairs
o 191 0-04- 1 1 - Charies E. Roblin to Comm. Of Indian Affairs
o 1910-07-21 - Wheat to Comm. Of Indian Affairs
Chippewa Cree History 1912
o 1 9 1 2-08-23 - Baker to Hauke
o 1912-02-02 - Hauke to Mcfatrdige -Mentions na-tay
o 191 2-02-28 - Mcfatridge to Comm. Of Indian Affairs
o 191 2-04-05 - E.B. Merrit to 2 Assist Comm. - moving RB to CORiver
o 191 2-08-09 - Hauke to Baker
o 1912-08-30 - Baker to Comm. Of Indian Affairs - 1 5pgs
o 1912-10-11- Baker to Comm. Of Indian Affairs 1 Opgs
Chippewa Cree History 1913
o 1913-12-23 - Mcfatrdige to Comm. Of Indian Affairs
o 1913-12-26 - Little Bear and Peter Kenewash to Sect Lane
o 1913-12-26 - Little Bear and Peter Kenewash to Sec. Lane
o 1913-1 1-20 - E.B.B Merit to Mcfatridge
o 1 91 3-1 1 -20 - Mcfatridge to Comm. Indian Affairs
o 1913-1 1-21 - Mcfatridge to Comm. Indian Affairs
o 1913-11-17- Resolution adopted by the city council of Havre, Mt about
Ft. Assinboine Settlement
o 1913-1 1-26 - Cato Sells to William H. Bole -Ed. Great Falls Tribune
o 1913-11-28- Mcfatridge to Comm. Indian Affairs
231
o 1913-1 2-0 1 - C.F. Condem Busshe to Sec of Interior - mentions
Lindemian
o 1913-12-1 1 - Cato Sells to Mcfatridge
o 1913-1 1-12 -T.J. Walsh to Sec of Interior Lane
o 1913-1 1-13 - Goss to Sec of Interior Lane
o 191 3-09-08 - Bole to Sec. Lane
o 1913-09-20 - Bole to l" Assist. Sec of Interior
o 1913-09-08 - A. J. Jones l" Assist Sec to James Rolland
o 1913-09-29 - John Francis Jr. to Comm. Indian Affairs
o 1913-11-12- Goss to Sec of Interior
o 1913-01-19 - GF Tribune "Rocky Boy and His People"
Chippewa Cree History 1914
o 1914-03-09 -Bole to Cato Sells
o 191 4-03-24 - Bole to Cato Sells
o 1915-02-03 -Bole to Cato Sells
o 191 4-04-24 - Rocky Boy to Comm. Of Indian Affairs
Chippewa Cree History 1915
o 191 5-02- 1 - Dept of Interior to Meritt
o 191 5-06- 1 4 - Livingston to Comm of Indian Affairs
o 1915-07-10 - Linderman to Sec. Lane
o 1 91 5-08-29 - Memorandum Office Indian Affairs
o 1915-06-14 - Little Bear to Comm. Indian Affairs
Chippewa Cree History
o 1 908- 1 1 -22 - Rocky Boy to Churchill
o 1908-10-24 -Rocky Boy to Churchill
Chippewa Cree history correspondence E.B. Merritt
Chippewa Cree history correspondence E.B. Merritt 1923 RB Indians
Rocky Boy Reservation Rocky Boy file - 1953
Fiats on Rocky Boy's Reservation
1916
Rocky Boy Reservation Rocky Boy file -1918
Rocky Boy Reservation Rocky Boy file -1921
Rocky Boy Reservation Rocky Boy file -1924
Rock\ Boy Reservation History
o A plan for our people, anon manuscript
1930 industry, health and education
Rocky Boy's and the depression
1929 - medical and sanitary matters
1926 - report of Rocky Boy Day School
1929 - school supplies and salaries
1928 - construction of school building
correspondence E.B. Merritt 1929
correspondence E.B. Merritt 1930
correspondence E.B. Merritt 1924
correspondence E.B. Merritt
correspondence E.B. Merritt " 1932
correspondence E.B. Merritt 1933
correspondence E.B. Merrittl934
232
Rocky boy reservation superintendents
Chippewa Cree research evaluation - 1976-77
Rocky Boy correspondence
o 191 2-05-24 - Rocky Boy to Linderman
o 191 3-08-23 - Victor R. Griggs to J. W.Neal
o 1913-01-20 - Wheat to Comm. Of Indian Affairs
o 1913-08-09 - Jewell D. Martin to Comm. Of Indian Affairs
o 1916-03-30 - Linderman to Little Bear and Rocky Boy
o 1913-08-21 - Fred. C. Morgan to Comm. Indian Affairs
Early reservation
Beaver Creek Park files
Tapes
Stories
Story of hardship of sometimes
Research stories
Stories
Havre Story by Art Raining Bird
Art (traditional paint)
Pembina Band of Indians - Chief Little Shell
Rocky Boy's Reservation - tentative Rocky Boy census, may 30, 1917
Malcolm Mitchell
Original buffalo stories
Drawer 4
• All files are stories, organized thematically. Many of these are copies of things
found in Drawer 2, others are new. Sources include Walter Denny, Art Raining
Bird, Jim Denny
o Transportation and communications
o Relationship and roles
o Dwelling and homes
o Food preparation and storage
o Survival
o History
o Sports
o Customs
o Arts and crafts
o Social studies
o Hunting and methods
o Music, dress and dance
o Religion
o Animal stories, legends, spiritual stories
Drawer 5
• Wi-sah-ke-chahk stories
• Files containing "Chippewa-Cree Bibliography" notes, research and drafts
Drawer 6
• "Chippew a-Cree Bibliography" files
233
Drawer 7
• Native newspapers
Drawer 8
Copies of "Metis: Canada's forgotten people" by D. Bruce Sealy
Cowan and songs
Long George, Francis
Tayler, James Wickes
The Battle of Belly River - Crees vs. Blackfeet
Battle of Belly River
Files on other tribes
Rocky Boy - Chippew a leader
Chief Rocky Boy's briefcase
Little Bear and Big Bear files
Fort Assiniboine files
Random topic files
In August 2008, Stone Child College sent a formal request to Rocky Boy School
to obtain copies of everything listed above. In this request we stated that we
would put these materials in our college library so that our students, faculty, and
community would have access to them. To date we have not heard back fi-om the
school as to the status of our request.
All of the following documents are located in the Stone Child
College library archive section.
Rocky Boy Tribal History Project
Working Bibliography
Allen. Iris, ed. "A Riel Rebellion Diary."
Burt. Larry W. "In a Crooked Piece of Time: The Dilemma of the Montana Cree and the
Melis." Journal oJAnicriccw Culture 9(1) Spring 1986: 45-51.
Cloud. Henry Roe. "Federal Responsibility and Relief for the Great Falls hidians."
Cochin, Louis. From I/if Remiscences of Louis Cochin. In Canadian North-West
Historical Society Publications. 1 (11): 24-72.
Dempsey. Hugh. "The Last Letters of Rev. George McDougall." 20-30.
Dempsey. James. "Little Bear's Canadian Band or Americans?" Alberta History Autumn
1993:2-9.
Denig. Edwin. "Of the Crees or Knistcncau." In Fire Indians Tribes oj the l^pper
Missouri. 99-136.
234
Dusenberry. Verne. "Waiting for a Day that Never Conies." Montana: The Magazine of
Western Histoiy. 8(2) April ^958: 26-39.
"The Rocky Boy Indians: Montana's Displaced Persons. " Montana Heritage Series 3.
Helena: Montana Historical Society Press, 1-6.
Ewers, John Canfield. Ethnological Report on the Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy
Resen'ation, Montana and the Little Shell Band of Indians.
Fraser, W.B. "Big Bear. Indian Patriot." 1-13.
Hawley, Pete. "The Life of Pete Hawley (as told to Lee Micklin)."
Irvine, A.G. "A Parley with Big Bear." Alberta Historical Review 11 (4): 19.
Lafromboise, Josephine. Personal Interview. Interviewed by Bob McDonald. 8 June
1994.
Rocky Boy Business Committee. Resolution. 6 Feb. 1936.
—Meeting Minutes. Regular Meetings. 30 July 1941.
Tobias. John L. "Canada's Subjugation of the Plains Cree. 1879-1885." Canadian
Historical Review 64(4) December 1983: 519-548.
Vanstone, James. Simms Collection of Plains Cree Material Culture. Field Museum.
"Senator Joseph M. Dixon and Rocky Boy A Documentary Postscript." By Jules
Alexander Karlin article ti-om Canadian Historical Review.
Adoptees 1946-1947
S.3646 (A Bill in the US Senate January 18, 1916)
"Vem Dunseburry Papers 1927-1966. Find Aid from the MSU Libraries.
Selected Articles on Frog Lake and Reil Rebellion from the Nor" Western: Centennial
Edition H.R. 8899 concerning acquisition of lands for RB 1932
Shirt Family History from Pam Piche
Photo from Bill Morsette (Duck Creek?)
Martha Edgerton Plassman Paper
Stone Child College - Library Chippewa Cree Additional Materials
Dusenberry , Vem. The Montana Cree- A Study in Religious Persistence.
Denny , Walter. Stories by Walter Denny.
Bryan, Jr., L. Montana Indians: Yesterday and Today.
235
Ellis, Douglas. Spoken Cree.
Tabajimo: Teacher Guide to Cree Folklore.
MT Advisory Council for Indian Education. Directory of Indian Education Programs in
Montana.
MT Office of Public Instruction. Montana Institute for Effective Teaching of American
Indian Children.
Miller, J.R. Big Bear: A Biography.
Rocky Boy School Students, Poetry: Rocky Boy School.
Raining Bird, Art. Wi-Sah-Ke-Chak and the Bear.
Stein. Wayne J. Windy Man.
Tribal Resource. Alphabet.
Rocky Boy Schools. First Grade Cree and Kindergarten.
Unknown Author. Big Bear"s Cree.
Tribal Resource. Common Plants of Rocky Boy.
Rocky Boy School. Raining Bird-Mystic, Philosopher Friend.
Tribal Resource. Family History.
Tobias. John L. Canada's Subjugation of the Plains Cree 1879-1885.
Murray, Stanley N. The Turtle Mountain Chippewa 1882-1905.
Unknown Author. Canadianization of the Cree, 1970 to Riel Rebellion.
Unity of Nation. Metis Celebration and Conference.
Davis, Elizabeth. Early Reservation History.
Tribal Resource. History of the Chippewa Cree.
Tribal Resource. Tribal Plants.
Tribal Resource. Kennawash Photo.
Tribal Resource. Tribal Map.
Tribal Resource. A Tribal Background.
236
us Census Bureau. 1990 Census of Rocky Boy Reservation.
McLaughlin. 1917 Tribal Census.
Denny, Walter. Chippewa Cree of Rocky Boy's Reservation.
MT Office of Public Instruction. Montana Indians - Their History and Location.
Blue Quill. Cree Stories.
Brendtro, Larry. The Circle of Courage.
Tribal Resource. The Two Horse.
Tribal Resource. Pwah-nes Learns from Father.
Hunter, Emily. Seek a Word in Cree Student's Handbook.
MT Office of Public Instruction. American Indian Resource Manual.
Tribal Resource. Overall Economic Development Plan.
Indian Education Act. Integration of Knowledge.
Denny, Walter. The Weasel.
Raining Bird, Art. Buffalo Hunt.
Small, Joe. Joke Book.
Blue Quill. Cree Words.
Rocky Boy Schools. Cree Writing Program.
Denny, Walter. Bird Stories.
Raining Bird, Art. The Assiniboine and the Sundance.
Raining Bird, Art. Poor Coyote.
Blue Quill. Stories in Cree.
Denny, Walter. The Eagle.
Tribal Resource. A Little Boy Story.
Denny, Walter. An Ant Story From Long Ago.
Tribal Resource. The Little Fibbing Indian Shepherd.
237
Denny. Walter. The Butterfly Story.
Denny. Walter. Why the Bat has no Feathers.
Denny. Walter. How the Turtle got it"s Shell.
Raining Bird. Art. How Our Ancestors Used the Buffalo.
Raining Bird. Art. Stories of Our Ancestors
Tribal Resource. Animals.
Small, .loe. What's the Meaning of This.
Tribal Resource. Wi Sah Ke Chah k and the Weasel.
Rocky Boy Schools. 10 Animal Stories.
Rocky Boy Schools. Stories of the Stars.
Raining Bird, Art. Wi-Sahke_chah_k and the Closing Eyes Dance.
Hunter. Emily. .Ioe"s Stoiy.
Hunter. Emily. Cree Language Book.
US Government. Corporate Charter of the Rocky Boy Tribe.
Unknown Author. The Struggle Toward Civilization and Self Support.
Cameron, William. The War Trail of Big Bear.
Tribal Resource. Chippewa Cree Law and Order Code.
Presnel, MS. Historical Demography of Rocky Boy Reservation.
Eder. Jeanne. Chief Little Shell's Tribe of Landless Chippewa Indians.
Fine Day. My Cree People.
Dempsey, Hugh. Big Bear the Man and His Mission.
River, Celeste. A Mountain in his Memory.
US Bureau of Mines. Field Inventory of Mineral Resources on Rocky Boy.
Densmore. Chippewa Customs.
Unknown Author. 1980 Profile of Montana Native Americans.
238
Unknown Author. I inding a I Ionic for Rock\ Bo>"s Indians.
Ingram. Shirley. Integrating the Cree Culture into the Schools.
Denny, Walter. Stones of the Old Ones.
Rock) Boy Schools. The Cree Indians.
Denny. Walter. Praver for Toda\ and E\ eryday.
Tribal Resources. Chippewa Cree Election Ordinance.
Morsette. Nadine. Cree Writing.
Cloud. Edna. North .Xnicrican Cree Dictionary.
Gourneau. Pat. Histt)r> of the Tuille Mountain band of Chippeuas
Sleeker. Soma. The Chippewa Indians.
Hilger. Inez. Chippewa Child Life.
Whitecalf. Sarah. The Cree Language and Our Identitw
Vizenor. Gerald. The People Named the Chippewa.
Eklund. Coy. Chippewa Language Book.
Ahenakew . Alice. Cree Tales og Curing and Cursmg.
Dempsey. Hugh. Big Bear the End of Freedom.
Ahenakew. Edward. \'oices of the Plains Cree.
Mendelbaum. Da\id. The Plains Cree.
Hickerson. Harold. The Chippewa and Their Neighbors.
Flanagan. Thomas. Riel and the Rebellion.
Wiebe. Rud\. The Temptations of Big Bear.
Nault. Fred. Fred Nault: Montana Metis.
Micklin. Lee. Born Cree.
Rock\ Boy Schools. Chippewa and Cree.
23^
Open Library