The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1934-10-19
(By GRACE STONE COATEs)

ny GRACE STONE COATES)
Author Of ''Black Cherries" "Portulacas IL
the Wheat" and Mead and Mangel Wurzel.'
Frank Bird Linderman probably
knows Indians as we'll as a white man
car know them. He has observed
them, associated with them, studied
them since his boyhood, and they
know him to be their friend. Always
moved by the injustices perpetrated
on dispossessed Indians, Mr.. Linder-
man was especially stirred by the
suffering Of the Crees and Chippewas
now gathered ON the Rocky Boy res
ervation. Largely through his ef-
forts a part Of the abandoned Fort
A~ssinnfbOine military reservation vas
set apart for Rocky Boys, or Stone
Child's, Crees by an act Of Sept Z,
1916. This embraces $4,000 acres be-
tween Havre and the Missouri river.
Before Rocky Boy, or Stone Child,
as MI. Linderman correctly i%nterprets
his name, found refuge for his band
on the Rocky Boy reservation, they suf-
fered almost intolerable hardships,
They were outlawed in Canada when
Louis Riel's long rebellion came to its
disastrous climax in 1885. They drift
ed across the line into northern Mon
tana, but the buffalo were gone, and
their old hunting grounds were dotted
with settlers cabins. The wandering
Indians eked out a doleful existence
on the verge of starvation. Sometimes
they rifled garbage dumps on the out
skirts OF cities, or gathered the offal
from slaughter houses. No doubt they
sometimes stole. Every mans hand was
against them.
In 1893, several hundred Crees from
across the line joined them, and public
protest grew louder. Governor Rick
ards took cognizance of it in his mes
sage to the legislature in 1895, but in
sisted That there was no way in which
the state could legally deal with the
unWelcome guests. The federal govern
ment refused to act, and paid but little
attention to Montana protests. For 20
years the homeless Crees and Chippe-
was found their situation growing pro-
gressively worse.
Yet In all their suffering they chung
TO their tribal customs. "Of all the
Indians Of the Northwest" says Mr..
Linderman, the Crees and Chippewasi
cling most ~tenaciously to their ancient
sun-dance." Since 1885, Mr.. Linderman
has always been tremendously invited
to this annual sun-dance, and often he
ID attended. He is always accorded
special honor, and the older men from
Rocky Boy reservation bring to his
lodge the more important visitors from
across the Canadian line.
During his last visit, June, 1888, Mr..
Linderman noticed among the Canad-
ian Crees an old man whom he had
never seen before. He vas aged, small,
and had fine features; and his white
hair, his bearing, and especially his
eyes attracted Mr.. Linderman. He
wished to become acquainted with the
indian. when I began to speak to
my guests in the LODGE" MI. Linder-
says, II a that this old warrior
rom canada was very deaf. He edged
nearer and nearer in his anxiety to
hear, his fun-loving eyes seeming toI
laugh at the infirmity of his ears.
When I had finished speaking the chief
and other prominent men talked; and
then this old man arose, May I speak?'
he asked.
ayes" I answered.
Il am DID, he begun. I have travel
1ar. I came here from Whitewood
n Canad to be with my relations at
his sun-dance. My intentions are hon
'rable. I will do no wrong here, and
Will go back across the line when this
'un-dance is finished. I have heard of
for many years. I know that you
'ot this reservation for these people,
md they are my relations. I have wish
ID many times that I might see you,
now I have. I have heard you talk,