Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1930-09-25
FILM RECORDS
INDIAN SIGNS
GENERAL SCOTT AND REPRESENT
TATIVES OF Is TRIBES CON-
VERSE FOR MOVIES
Universal Language Of Red Men Will
Be Handed Down to Posterity AS Re-
suit Of Grand Council Recently Held
at Browning; Monument Proposed.

In cOmmemoration of the recent
grand council of representatives of
Indian tribes on the Blackfeet reser-
walton, in which head men of Is diff
ferent tribes met with Major General
Hugh L. Scott for the purpose Of re-
cording in moving pictures the uni
versal sign language Of the plains
Indians, a monument will be erected
at Browning. The design was sub
mitted by Richard SanderviIle, in
terpreter, and because 1t is in COM
memOratiOn of an Indian council,
carries out the idea of the old fash
toned Indian powwow
The assembly was known as the
grand council of northwest Indians and
the following representatives were
members.
Mountain Chief of the Blackfeet,
Bitter Root Jim, or Bear Road, Flat
head; Strange Owl, Cheyenne; Bull
Nose, Grow; Assiniboine Boy, Gros
Ventre; Ride the Black Horse, Assini-
boine; Sam Savior, Sioux; Tom White
Horse, Arapahoe; Dick Washable, Sho-
shone, James Eagle, Arickaree; Drags
Wolf, East eros Ventre; Foolish Wom-
an, Mandan, and Big Plume and Fine
Young Man of the Sarcee tribe in
Canada.
The universal sign language, which is
known not only to Indians of the
northwest, but also to all Indians in
the United States and Canada, is a
language in which Indians Of all
tongues can converse. Many whites
who live among Indians and who have
lived among them for many years, are
able to use this language.
General Scott, who is able to use
it possibly as we'll as n Indian, was
chosen to record it by movie.
In Indian villages many years ago
the family lodges were grouped around
the center lodge, where the council
was to be held. About each lodge was
q row of stones laid on the edge of the
tepee to hold it to the ground. In
the center of the lodge a circle of
stones was laid to keep the fire within
faced the east and the chief, or chair
man, of the council sat at the west
side, facing the door. Members of
the council sat around the edge of the
lodge, facing the fire at the center,
Thus the council was held.
The proposed memorial was designed
after this pattern with a cement floor
in the shape of a lodge. Round rocks
will be laid at the edge of the cement
and more rocks in the cement in the
center in a circle for the fireplace
The fire will be represented by petri-
fled logs partly immersed in cement tc
hold them firmly in place. While the
cement is soft, footprints of the coun-
Gil members will be made in the cement
General SCOTS booted prints will be
at the west side beyond the fireplace
and opposite the door. On his left will
be the moccasined prints of the Sarcee
representative. On the Sarcee's left
will be the Sioux, Gros Ventre, Mandan
AssinibOine and Shoshone, placed
around to the door.
On General SCOTS right will be To-
Gated the prints Of the other repre-
sentatives. First will be the Mountain
Chief of the Blackfeet, then Flathead
Crow, Cheyenne and Gros Ventre
around west to the door on the other
side.
Laid In the cement between the fire.
place and booted prints OF Genera
Scott will be a bronze tablet recording
the date of the council and names OF
the representatives.
Near this memorial and adjoining II
on the. west will be a monument or
which will be engraved facts In con-
nection with the event. The plan for
the monument Is not complete and II
is possible 1t may include q statue OF
General Scott, though this is not
definitely decided.