South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-07-25
Mary Leme'y is First Indian
Girl to Be Chief of a Tribe

Many persons SUN entertain the
romantic impression that tho indians
OF the United states fondIy and rev
crertly refer 20 the commissioner ~
Indian affairs at Washington ass
The Great White Father.
Possibly that was tho case IL ty-
Gone years before the North Amer
lean Indians had become as modern
led as In recent years.
Miss Mary I.emcrl. one OF the
brightest and most charming Indian
glrls TO be found among the $4,000
members Of the various tribes SAY
the Indians long ago discontinued
the high sounding. but meaningless
Great White Father" expression,
and now both jOkingly and seriously
refer 10 the ultra sedatc. serious and
solemn commissioner as The Great
White Bother"
Miss Lcmery, who rs n MEMBER
the Flathead tribe. Of Montana.
has the honor and distinction OF be-
5lL the nrst Indian woman IN the
history OF The country 20 be made
president Of the tribal council She
las held this exalted position OF au-
thority for four years.
There are almost 5000 members
Cf her tribe. With duo ceremony
the leading men Of the Flatheads
conferred the Eagle feather upon
Miss Lemery. which is their solemn
lanner OF manifesting unlimited
trust and esteem
Iu addition 20 experimenting the
business Affairs OF her people. this
1aIented Indian girl owns and man
mes a farm OF 500 acres. She man
eyes every detail from hiring and
r.riug the labOrers 10 u,srkctinS the
IRONS. She has made thorough
study OF agriculture. Her garden is
sIsd 10 be the shOW-piace OF her
community. Any man I'm her sec
ton of Montana will tell YOU that
the horse she fears does not exist.
Most of the Flathcad Indians ar"
rscnbers OF the Roman Catholic
faith. and Miss Lemery is we'll
Known graduate Of the Holy Name
college OF oregon.
This hu5tling and determined girl
spcnt most OF the winter in Wash
i0glon. I'm an effort 20 persuade
congress TO give the Indians fairer
treatment IN the management and
disposal OF their properly.
When asked TO state what changes
were desired by her people, Miss
I.emery with deep earnestness re
piled. I'VE want freedom and citi-
zership. We want our own money
and property prOrated among the
individuals now, not in the dim dis
tant years Of the future. We feel
that We are perfectly capable OF
handling our own property in our
own way. and that We do not need
- governmental bureau at Washing
ton 10 kindergarten Us as though We
we're a lot OF kids.
Much OF our property is com
urised OF timber land, which IS very
Valua bic. The government has been
cutting timber. or and on. from our
lands since 1855. At the present
tine L. savrnilis are buSly engaged
IN saving up our beautiful white
nine. spruce and tamarack trees. and
they are doing this at a terrific rate
1.ut up 20 this good hour not a single
FIathead Indfan-man, won Al or
child-has received a five cent piece
% the proceeds OF the sale q tsls
timber. Fifteen million dollars OF
our money is tied up through the
Indian bureau IN timber lands.
We feel that the time - about
ripe FOR us 20 have an opportunity 20
get z look at our own funds
Much OF our other property Is
lust as badly tangled Up IN seeming
lv endless skeins OF Indian bureau
red tape and idiOtic pateTnalism on
me part q OF AC.le-fc VIM INV 90 A-~-
10 about our needs and desires IS
IirE O. Gorge OF England or tho Duke
a. Iceland. and who foOlishly insist
that We are sill an Segregation ut
1~rcSDonsibIe children Who must BE-
uursed and cocdled
ANYONE who looks into the keen.
calm eyes OF MARI Lemery. ard lis
tens 20 hcr serious and intelligent
o0Gver.Auon cannot fa4 70 ~ con