The Glacier reporter. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1953-current, 1962-01-18
From The Sidelines
BY Tiff Mckay

Otterwoman Morninggun Is
dead; and with the passing of
this fine woman passes another
cycle in oil development activity
on the Blackfeet Indian Reser-
walton.
In 1855 Mrs. Morninggun re-
ceiyed almost ss3. 900 in oil bon
uses from her land which was
leased for oil and gas mining
purposes. As Mrs. Morninggun
could not hear, could not speak
English, and had difficulty under
standing sign age, her
money was kept in the Blackfeet
Indian Agency office of the U. S.
Bureau of Indian Affairs and
an allowance paid TO her at reg
ular intervals.
Shortly after the oil and gas
lease was completed, a ceremony
was held marking the spudding
in of an oil we'll on the land of
her deceased husband. The wea-
ther was good for that time of
year, and at the dedication cere-
monies at the well site and the
subsequent dedication speeches
at Browning High Schools audi
forum, Mrs. Morninggun was
happy. She had a ready smile
for everyone.
No one was pleased more than
the entire membership of the
Tribe when a picture of Mrs.
Morninggun appeared on the
cover of Newsweek magazine
shortly thereafter. And Mrs.
Morninggun was very happy, and
very amused, when a copy Of the
magazine was shown to her.
But like many people her age,
Mrs. Morninggun did not COM
prehend the meaning of the
amount of money which had sud-
denly become hers. She did not
know she now had money enough
TO buy a decent home with indoor
plumbing and water, electric ap-
pliances, and a car which would
make il easier for her to get
around despite her ninety years.
Mrs. Morninggun did not know
that her money being held in
the Blackfeet Indian Agency was
drawing no interest, supervised
by the Superintendent; but she
knew that when she wanted more
money she had to 60 to the Agen-
cy welfare office to apply for
the money she needed. Usually
the money wasn't given to her in
cash, but in purchase orders. But
merchants knew the purchase
orders were like money in the
bank.
I remember discussing her case
and several others in September
of 1856 with then Commissioner
of Indian Affairs, Glenn En-
mons. Emmons was a banker by
profession and unlike Mrs. Morn.
inggun, he was very conscious
Of the value of money. After lis
tening to the discussion, Emmons
turned to Charles Spencer, who
was then Superintendent Of the
Blackfeet Indian Agency, and
said something like these words:
Have you ever thought of in.
vesting this womsn's money for
her, Mr.. Superintendent? Il
seems to me that that amount of
money, 1000, could be invested
in the proper type of securities
where it would bring this woman
an income of near $4,000 per
year. Hthis were done, she could
live off the interest of the money
and the principal would not be
disturbed. This would make sure
she had enough money to last
her the rest of her life"
But the money was not invest
ed, and Mrs. Morninggun did not
have enough money to last her
the rest of her life. Her last re-
naming year was spent moving
from house to house. Oh yes, she
still owned her own house; but
now the plumbing did not work,
her lights were turned off or in
need of repair most of the time,
most of her furniture was brok-
en- as were all of her appliances.
Her electric range had long since
been replaced by a wood and
coal stove, and an outdoor privy
had taken the place of the indoor
plumbing.
But Mrs. Morninggun was still
happy. When she was receiving
her regular monthly allowance,
her home was a favorite gather
ing place for friends and rela.
tives. And none of them left
hungry. Nor did any of them
want for a place to sleep. Even
during the last year of her life,
she was happy-visiting friends
and relatives; walking, despite
her more than ninety years.
No, Mrs. Morninggun did not
have enough money to 'flast her
the rest of her life The we'll