The Tomahawk., 1921-05-19
Chippewa Indians Hold
PoW-W0w.

listen to the reading of letters
from James l. Coffey, who is in
Washington as representative of
the Chippewas. Other letters to
be read include some from men,
bers of Congress, and concern the
future of the Indians of MiAneso.
to.
Another object of the meeting
was for the purpose of forming an
Indian farming association. Many
of the Chippewas are interested in
bettering themselves agricultural
ly, and plan to secure better seed,
more stock and machinery, and
develop some Of the good land
they have on their allotments.
Ways to accomplish this we're
coDsidered:''
The above account of another
bush coupcil held at Ball Club
recently, and which appeared in
the Duluth News Tribune, proves
that James l. .Cotfey, the erst.
while president and leader of the
main bolshevic factions among the
Chippewas of Minnesota, is still
busy at his old game of writing
letters of misleading character to
any members of the Minnesota
Chippewas who will condescend to
receive and read them. Mr..
Coffey, who the article states is
now located in Washington, y. G.,
as representative of the Cbippe.
was, manages in some manner to
f'get hold of an old typewriter and
spends bis time and what money
he can inveigle from the more
ignorant members of the tribe, in
writing letters which mislead such
members of the tribe as to the
true state of their affairs. These
letters are usually full Of bitter
sarcasm against the more pro.
gressive members of the tribe,
and especially against the General
Council, Minnesota Chippewas and
1.-THE officers thereof, and citing
himself as the great emancipation
of the Chippewa people if they
would only listen to bis foolish
harangue and follow his advice.
All of which is most disgusting to
anyone who knows Coffey and his
kind aud who is posted in the
slightest degree regarding the
affairs of the Minnesota Chippe-
was. For many years James |.
Cotfey has been busy with just
such tactics as those referred to in
the above article; writing mis-.
leading letters; holding bush coun'
ellis, etc., and opposing every move
that would tend to improve con
ditions among the Chippewa peo-
pie. All this has awaited him and
his followers nothing whatever
and only serves to keep those who
persist in listening to him from
seeing things in The right light
and joining forces with the more
intelligent members of the tribe
whereby some material good would
be accomplished. And while all
this is going on the tribal funds Of
the Chippewas are being squander-
ed and much valuable time is be-
| ing lost in the fight for final
settlement of>the Chippewa estate.
James l. Cofey and his follow
ers have not in one instance ac-
complished anything whatever Tor
the Minnesota Chippewas, and
they never will. His followers
consist of the more ignorant MEM
bers of the tribe who live in out of
the way places and who, are not
Informed as to the true condition
OF Chippewa affairs. Co&ey, or
some of his lieutenants visit such
places, hold bush councils, read
letters and make misleading state-
ments 10 order to collect money to
pursue their fanatic schemes, and
as a consequence they usually get
plenty Of. signers to any protest or
4 4 A. x<H~ mi