The Bozeman courier., 1927-10-28
BY E. 6. MACLAY
President of Great Falls Boy Scout
Council

CONTINUATION OF the Duuu1nS VA
\ trails in the national parks was re-
sumed this summer in Glacier park.
Twenty-Five Eagle Scouts from Cne
west and northwest spent two weeks,
from Aug Is to Aug. %, nthe park, en-
camped at Red Eagle landing on ST.
Mary's lake. Some three-fourths OF
mile of new trail, designed Tor patrol
purposes, was built, extending from RED
Eagle landing up the lake towards the
CSoing-to-the-Sun chalets. The Scouts
worked under the supervision OF scout
Executive r. c. Mathews Of Everett
WASH and Clarence Wiley Of the ma
tional park service. Working hours were
from a. m. to 1 p. m. each day, with
the afternoon free for recreation and
sight seeing.
This trail was over new territory and
the work consisted in "swamping" out
the line Of the trail some to 10 feet
in width removing all timber, under
Growth and boulders. With this thus
cleared, a trail three feet in width was
graded up. A line about 40 feet ABOVE
the level of the lake was maintained as
closely as possible. Boulders, stumpS ana
obstacles too heavy or difficult TO pe
moved were blown out by an experienced
s'powder man" attached to the camp.
This piece of trail is the first link in q
trail leading from Red Eagle landing to
Sun camp along the south shore OF 81.
Mary's lake. 1t is expected that next
>
faster because of the experience gained
this year.
The national park service, as in the
past. furnished transportation to ana
from the camp site from Glacier Park
station. all food supplies and the COOK
ing thereof, tentage and working tools.
The Scouts needed to furnish only per-
sonal equipment and bedding.
Every evening the Scout campfire was
held under the direction Of Scout Execu-
tive r. E. Crompton. Songs, acting Of
short PLAYS, story telling and short talks
enlivened the time. Each campfire ended
with the voice Of the Camp Spirit tell
ing Of some great Scout truth ana the
Scout benediction.
Fishing and swimming were available
and some Of the Scouts had their early
morning dip each day in the chilly wa
ter of st. Mary's.
the two outstanding trips taken by the
Scouts were: First an all-day hike over
Piegan pass to Many Glacier. This trip
was taken on Sunday. Aug. 81. Trans
ported by boat to Sun camp, the Scouts
hiked over the mountains to Many Gla-
cier, there to be met by cars and taken
back to st. Mary chaletS. Thence returned
to camp by boat. A dinner at Many Gla-
cier hotel wound up this day, most Of
which was actually spent above the
clouds.
At tn eclose of camp on Saturday noon
by trucks furnished by the Indian serV-
ice, through the interest and courtesy o1
F. g. Campbell, superintendent in charge
of the Blackfeet Indian reservation. ThS
trucks took them to Heart Butte substa'
tion and there the Scouts were met by
Blackfeet braves in full ceremonial re-
gala After their arrival had been an
nounced by mounted Indians who haC
come out to give the signal, they were
formally welcomed by Chief Mountain
Chief and Judge No Coat at the bridgt
over White Tail creek. The welcoming
speeches. given in sign language, were in
terpreted by Richard Sanderville, officia
interpreter for the agency.
Responses were made by Commissions
e. G.. Maclay of Great Falls and Eagl
Scout Bryce Wood Of Everett, Wash. Ate
greetings were exchanged the Scouts Wer
escorted to their camping ground ant
there made preparation for supper ant
the night.
After dinner the Scouts and Indian
held an informal meeting about thei
campfire, after which they adjourned t
a hall for formal ceremonies and triba
dances by the Indians During the even
ing the Blackfeet exemplified their adop
tion ceremony formally taking into tn
tribe Commissioner Maclay, to whom tn
name Of Nita-Pita Lone Eagle" wa
given, following which Eagle Scout Lloy
Lille Of Portland, Ore, was inducte
into the tribe Lille was given the nam
Of Nina Pita Chief Eagle" a name G
high traditions in the Blackfeet tribe
Chief Eagles tnow dead) grandson, Due
Head, wa spresent. Duck Head later pre-
sented to Lille his eagle feather head
dress After this ceremony all Scouts an
leaders were taken into the Indian circl
and, too, made members Of the Blackfee
tribe.
The next morning was spent in the ez
change of presents and the cementing {
acquaintanceships into friendships whic
are bound to be lasting. The Eagle Scout
were most interested in getting from tn
Indians first hand their hopes and am
billions. A project these Indians are no
interested in is the building of a commU
nifty house and workshop, wherein soci;
and other gatherings may be held an
also as a headquarters for the making
Indian curiOs and mementos for sal
Members OF the tribe are interested
learning weaving and basket maxim
such as practiced by other tribes, int
which may be woven their traditions an
their hopes. The Scouts were very syn
pathetic to this ambition and it is fe
that the "Blackfeet troop of Eag
Scouts" because Of this trip and the
interest may become a group Of me
whom the Blackfeet Indian can tru
call sympathetic and intelligently II
formed friends and brothers.
Later in the day the Scouts returnE
TO Glacier Park to take trains for the
homes The men in charge all feel th
these boys go to their homes with
renewed interest in their scouting el
deavors and with a love and intere
for Glacier park and the American Il
dian.
The personnel of the camp was
follows: