Crazy Bear, Mah-To-Wit-Ko (also known as Foolish Bear), was a significant figure in the history of the Assiniboine people. Born around 1785 and passing away in 1856, he rose to prominence as a respected chief, a skilled negotiator with the American Fur Company, and a representative of his people at the pivotal Fort Laramie Treaty Council of 1851. His life spanned a period of immense change for the indigenous populations of the Northern Plains, witnessing the expansion of European influence, the burgeoning fur trade, and the increasing encroachment of white settlers onto their ancestral lands. This article delves into the life and times of Crazy Bear, exploring his early years, his role in the fur trade, his participation in the Fort Laramie Treaty, and his enduring legacy.
The Northern Plains: A Crucible of Change
The Assiniboine, a people whose territory stretched across vast expanses of land encompassing present-day Montana, North Dakota, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, were deeply connected to the land. Crazy Bear was born into this world, sometime around 1785, in an area that was then part of the Louisiana Territory, still under Spanish control. However, the political landscape was on the cusp of transformation.
The late 18th and early 19th centuries were a period of rapid transition for the Northern Plains. France, having briefly regained control of the Louisiana Territory from Spain, swiftly sold it to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. This single act dramatically altered the balance of power and set the stage for increased American influence in the region.
Furthermore, the Assiniboine had a long and complex history with other Native American tribes. Approximately two centuries prior to Crazy Bear‘s birth, the Assiniboine had broken away from the Yankton Sioux, a schism that ignited two centuries of continuous conflict and warfare between the two groups. This backdrop of intertribal conflict added another layer of complexity to the already challenging environment in which Crazy Bear came of age.
Early Life and the Traditional Ways
Crazy Bear, or Mah-To-Wit-Ko, grew up immersed in the traditional Plains Indian way of life. He learned the essential skills of survival, following the seasonal migrations of the buffalo herds and honing his hunting prowess. He was also instructed in the warrior culture, learning the arts of raiding, fighting, and demonstrating bravery.
The life of a young man on the Plains was fraught with danger. The mortality rate among those learning the skills of hunting and warfare was high. European diseases, to which the Native Americans had no immunity, further decimated the population, and the introduction of alcohol by traders added another destructive element. Despite these immense challenges, Crazy Bear persevered and reached adulthood, a testament to his resilience and strength.
In 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory, made contact with some Assiniboine bands. The expedition encountered two primary groups: the Assiniboin Menatopa, numbering around two hundred men, residing on the Mouse River; and the Gens des Feuilles, or "People of the Leaves," residing on both sides of the White River, with approximately 250 warriors. Crazy Bear belonged to the Gens des Feuilles, also known as the Little Girls band (We che ap pe nah in the Assiniboine language). It is conceivable that he, at the age of 20, had personal interactions with the famed explorers during their journey.
From Warrior to Negotiator: The Fur Trade Era
Details regarding Crazy Bear‘s early adult life are limited. One account describes a battle between the Assiniboine and the Gros Ventre, during which Crazy Bear fought valiantly to protect the women and children of his camp. His fearless actions in this desperate situation were likened to those of a "crazy bear," thus earning him the name by which he would become widely known.
The fur trade, a driving force of economic and cultural change in the Northern Plains, played a significant role in Crazy Bear‘s life. Initially, French traders known as Coureurs des Bois (Runners of the Woods) dominated the trade in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Later, voyageurs and mountain men continued the trade in the 19th century.
Companies such as Hudson’s Bay Company, the North West Company, and the American Fur Company (AFC) established forts and trading posts along the rivers, creating a competitive market for furs and buffalo robes. Native Americans traded these goods for European items such as weapons, fabrics, trinkets, and, unfortunately, whiskey.
It was at Fort Union, a prominent trading post in the Dakota Territory operated by the American Fur Company, that Crazy Bear honed his skills as a negotiator. He gained a reputation for being an honest, loyal, and reliable trading partner.
Charles Larpenteur, an agent for the AFC, documented an incident in his journal in 1842, illustrating Crazy Bear‘s integrity. A competing fur company attempted to bribe Crazy Bear into switching affiliations. The rival company’s agent presented Crazy Bear with lavish gifts, including a splendid military suit and a two-gallon keg of whiskey.
However, Crazy Bear, instead of succumbing to the bribe, went directly to the AFC agent, Mr. Culbertson. He explained that while he appreciated the gifts, he would not abandon the "big house" where his ancestors were buried and whose paths were familiar to him. He then proceeded to remove the fine clothes and gifts, throwing them on the floor, and declared that he could not be seduced by trinkets. This act solidified his reputation as a man of principle and cemented his position as a respected leader among his people.
The Fort Laramie Treaty: A Moment of Hope and Disappointment
By 1851, the increasing influx of white settlers traveling westward through the Northern Plains led to escalating conflicts with the Native American tribes. In addition, continued intertribal warfare disrupted the profits of the fur companies.
The United States government, seeking to establish peace and stability in the region, devised the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851. This document aimed to define tribal territories, establish annuities, and ensure safe passage for settlers. The government summoned leaders from various tribes, including the Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Crow, Assiniboine, Mandan, Gros Ventre, Arikaree, and Shoshone, to a treaty council and signing ceremony at Fort Laramie in Wyoming.
Many of these tribes were historically enemies, making the prospect of gathering in Sioux territory a daunting one. According to Culbertson, when the circular issued by Col. Mitchell, then Superintendent of Indian Affairs, was explained to the Assiniboines, only Crazy Bear agreed to attend.
Ultimately, Crazy Bear‘s determination and leadership convinced others to join the expedition, including Chief First to Fly and Father De Smet, a Jesuit missionary.
The number of attendees at the treaty council far exceeded expectations, reaching an estimated twelve thousand. The U.S. government, realizing the need for a more secure location, moved the signing ceremony thirty-five miles southeast to Henry, in present-day Nebraska.
The U.S. government designated Crazy Bear as the official chief to represent the Assiniboine nation at the treaty signing. The treaty aimed to establish peace between tribes and whites, define tribal territories, guarantee annuity payments for fifty years, and protect tribes from white encroachment. In return, the tribes guaranteed safe passage for settlers and agreed to the establishment of U.S. Army forts.
While the chiefs largely upheld their end of the bargain, the U.S. government failed to do so. They arbitrarily reduced the annuity payment period from fifty years to ten years and failed to prevent white settlers, miners, and hunters from trespassing on Indian territory.
The U.S. government’s dismissive attitude toward the treaty is evident in the Commissioner of Indian Affairs Annual Report of 1852, where Commissioner Lea expressed no regret for the dispossession of Native Americans and attributed their suffering to their own "perverse and vicious nature."
Despite the U.S. government’s shortcomings, Crazy Bear signed the treaty, along with Chief First to Fly, and received a silver medal commemorating the event. Upon his return to Fort Union, he was met with tragedy, learning of the death of his son, Holy Seat, and the subsequent suicide of his wife.
Despite his grief, Crazy Bear maintained his composure and diligently explained the treaty’s terms to his people. However, the U.S. government’s failure to deliver the promised annuities led to ridicule and criticism from his people.
According to John C. Ewers in his book "Five Indian Tribes of the Upper Missouri," Crazy Bear stood firm against his people’s doubts and maintained his commitment to the treaty. When the government finally delivered the goods, the Assiniboine were silenced, and those who had previously reproached Crazy Bear now praised him.
The Final Years and Legacy
Following the signing of the Fort Laramie Treaty, Crazy Bear continued to lead his tribe and maintain a peaceful relationship with the U.S. government. Following the tragedy in his family, he took responsibility for his granddaughter, Sweet Grass (Iron Cradle), and raised her as his own.
Despite his efforts to maintain peace, Crazy Bear was deeply concerned about the future of his people. In a letter to Father De Smet in 1854, he lamented the dwindling buffalo herds and expressed his fear that his people would disappear without help and education.
In 1856, Crazy Bear succumbed to smallpox, a disease that ravaged the tribes of the Northern Plains. He was approximately seventy years old at the time of his death.
Crazy Bear‘s life and character were aptly summarized by Edwin Thompson Denig, a trader who knew him well: "The ruling Chief of the whole nation is named Mau to weet ko (Mah Toe Wit Ko) or the Foolish Bear (Crazy Bear), who has always considered a good and sensible man and lately confirmed in his office by the Commissioners at the Laramie Treaty."
Denig described him as a man of sound judgment, mild disposition, and unwavering commitment to the interests of his people. He was a friend to white men and possessed considerable mental powers. He was survived by three granddaughters: Iron Cradle (Sweet Grass), Turtle Door, and Small Earth, and two grandsons: Black Bull and Kill Eagle. Iron Cradle later became a significant figure in the early history of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in Montana.
Crazy Bear‘s life exemplifies the challenges and complexities faced by Native American leaders during a period of profound change. He navigated the treacherous waters of the fur trade, the encroachment of white settlers, and the broken promises of the U.S. government with integrity, resilience, and a deep commitment to the well-being of his people. His legacy as a skilled negotiator, a respected leader, and a man of principle continues to resonate within the history of the Assiniboine nation.