The Glacier reporter. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1953-current, 1959-05-14


to have was a parade: one that
was Enthusiastically Indian; one
depicting the red man as he liked
to be. both in dress and custom.
Concerning a parade. l had
many talks with the chiefs Of the
different clans. had secured
promises from them that they
would come out in numbers. and
In their finest regalia. l knew a
promise from such men as Chief
White Calf. a brother of Two
Guns. Champagne. Wades-ln.The
Water. Chief Bull. Old Person,
Little Dog and Last Star would
mean just what they said. They
told me they would be there. pro.
viding that would be there to
head the parade. l didn't intend
to miss that honor. If l were alive.
for it was a rare honor indeed.
Everybody was all set for the
first day. 1t came. and with it
came rain in torrents. The parade
was called off until the next day.
We were all disappointed. People
were there from most every state
in the union. l think. The rain
stopped in the afternoon and the
sun came out in grand style. The
Indian had big time at their
encampment that evening. The
camp was not uncomfortable be-.
cause the lodges. tcpces. etc.
were pitched on sod where the
grass was fresh and thick. The
merry makers danced their ma
tive dances. including the Owl,
Rabbit and Grass dances. My
wife and | were there as proud as
any of the Indians. II was a home.
coming for US. as we'll as many of
the rest.
Now We had become we'll known
by most all the people Of the
reservation. and il was nice to see
and talk to them. Among other
things. We visited the following
lodges and talked TO their occu'
pants: White Calf. White Grass.
Old Person. Bear Medicine,
Observation-Disclosures. Many Hides,
Cross Guns and Eagle Calf
Blanche had taught the children
of all these except Wadcs.in-ihc
Water. when We were i, Starr
School.
When one Is versed in Indian
customs. he can walk into an
Indian village and so straight Ia
the head man Of the clan. head
chief or any other leader he SCI
desires to see. by noting the paint
ing OF his lodge or the location
Of the lodge in the huge circle Of
lodges. \ civil engineer can take
the map Of 4 city and see JUS,
where such 4 building is and wha,
direction he mus; 60 ~ get there
but that IS not necessary for the
Indians. They are all c.vi! cngin
GERS and they carry the maps .,
Indian villages in their heads
There is certain place for every
thing and everybody. II you wish
10 see any member Of the tribe
60 to his lodge. II he is IN there
will not be- . stick across IN.
ladge door opening. at the bo,
tom. Then you speak to whocvc,
you want and he will answer. II
the stick Is there. his house IS
locked. When his house is locked
Indian fashion. you do not dis
regard the lock Only in srca,
emergency. As sickness. grca,
hunger. lost in storms or the like
IS II recognized as sufficient to
enter . mans lodge when he Is
absent. The code Of ethics and
moral standards Of the old In
dian were very high.
Horse stealing from other tribes
was honorable and heroic. but u
take that Of 4 fellow tr.bcsinan
could easily mean death 10 the
offender.
When o wife was unfaiihful u
her husband. she would be mark
ed In some way 10 make her un
attractive to the opposite sex. For
the rest Of her life. all those who
saw her would know Of her IN
discreet department. The mos,
common method Of marking
after she was found guilty. was
for the husband 10 take hold 0i
his wifc's nose with his thumb
and forcfingcr. and with o sharp
instrument In the other hand. cut
off the end Of her nose.
For divulging tribal secrets Ia
another tribe or body Of people,
either man or woman may be
s-A-AA 4