The history of Montana’s Indigenous tribes is a rich tapestry woven from oral traditions and the collective memories of generations. While some threads of this history may have faded with time, much remains vibrant within community stories and narratives, awaiting formal documentation. This timeline offers a glimpse into the historical journey of the Chippewa and Cree Tribes, culminating in the establishment and evolution of the Rocky’s Boy Reservation.
Time Immemorial: Origins and Migrations
The story of the Cree people, known as the Ne-I-yah-wahk, begins in the distant past. According to oral histories, their ancestors migrated from the East (Sah-kahs-te-nok). As Joe Small recounts, "The Indians came from the East not from the West (Pah-ki-si-motahk)." This westward movement was a gradual process, spanning an unknown number of years as the Cree people made their way across the continent.
1851: Treaty of Red Lake and Pembina Chippewa
The year 1851 marks a significant moment in the documented history of the Chippewa people. The Treaty with the Red Lake and Pembina Chippewa resulted in a land cession encompassing areas on both sides of the Red River. This treaty reflects the increasing pressure on Indigenous lands as westward expansion continued.
1855: Treaty with the Mississippi, Pillager, and Lake Winnibigoshish Bands of Chippewa
Further land cessions occurred in 1855 with a treaty negotiated with the Mississippi, Pillager, and Lake Winnibigoshish bands of Chippewa Indians. In exchange for ceding a portion of their aboriginal lands in the Territory of Minnesota, the tribes were granted reserved lands. This treaty also introduced provisions for allotment, dividing communal land into individual holdings, and annuities, or regular payments, to the tribal members.
1863: Further Land Cession by the Mississippi, Pillager, and Lake Winnibigoshish Bands
Just eight years later, in 1863, the Mississippi, Pillager, and Lake Winnibigoshish bands of Chippewa Indians were compelled to cede a significant portion of the lands designated to them in the 1855 treaty. This illustrates the ongoing erosion of Indigenous land base through treaty negotiations and government policies.
1887: Relief for the Cree on the Sun River
As the Cree people moved westward and faced increasing hardship, the Montana Territorial Legislature took note of their plight. In 1887, the legislature appropriated $500 for relief efforts to assist the Cree camped on the Sun River. This small gesture acknowledges the presence and vulnerability of the Cree population within the territory.
1893: Scarlet Fever Outbreak at Silver Bow
The challenges faced by the Cree were compounded by disease. In 1893, a scarlet fever outbreak swept through a Cree encampment at Silver Bow, highlighting the vulnerability of the community to infectious diseases and the lack of adequate healthcare.
1894: Resistance Through Tradition
Despite government policies aimed at suppressing Indigenous cultures and spiritual practices, the Cree people continued to uphold their traditions. In 1894, the Cree held a Sundance ceremony, a powerful expression of their faith and cultural resilience in the face of assimilation efforts.
1896: Deportation Efforts and Resistance
The presence of the Cree in Montana was met with resistance from some sectors of the government. In 1896, Congress appropriated $5,000 to fund the deportation of the Cree from Montana, reflecting a policy of removing Indigenous people from lands desired by settlers.
That same year, Buffalo Coat, a leader among the Cree, filed a petition with the court challenging the deportation order. He argued that he and his people had not been afforded due process of law, emphasizing their residency in the U.S. since 1885 and the fact that many children in their group had been born on American soil. However, a judge ruled that the state court lacked jurisdiction as the deportation was mandated by an act of Congress. As a result, the deportation to Canada proceeded, causing immense hardship and displacement for the Cree people.
1909: Rocky Boy’s Band Ordered to the Blackfeet Reservation
In 1909, Rocky Boy’s band, a group of Chippewa and Cree people led by Chief Rocky Boy, were ordered to relocate to the Blackfeet Reservation. As a provision, 11,000 acres of land were set aside for them, divided into 80-acre parcels. However, this arrangement was far from ideal, as it forced the band to live on land that was not their own and often lacked adequate resources.
1912: The Search for a Permanent Settlement
The plight of Rocky Boy’s band and other landless Indians prompted efforts to find a permanent settlement for them. In 1912, Fred Baker began searching for a suitable location, with Fort Assiniboine, situated near the Bear Paw Mountains, emerging as a potential option.
1914: Linderman’s Advocacy
Frank Bird Linderman, a writer and advocate for Native American rights, used his influence to address the landless Indian issue. In 1914, he wrote letters to key figures, urging them to support the establishment of a permanent homeland for the Chippewa and Cree people.
1915: Survey of Fort Assiniboine
To assess the feasibility of using Fort Assiniboine as a reservation, a survey was conducted in 1915. The survey aimed to determine the suitability of the land for agriculture, grazing, and other economic activities.
1916: The Passing of a Leader and the Birth of a Refuge
In April 1916, Chief Rocky Boy, a pivotal figure in the struggle for land and recognition for his people, passed away. His legacy, however, would live on. On September 7, 1916, Congress passed an Act designating a tract of land as a refuge for the "homeless and wandering Indians." This land included a portion of the abandoned Fort Assiniboine Military Reserve. The original bill proposed four townships, encompassing 21 tillable sections, 80 grazing sections, and 12 timbered sections. However, the bill was approved with an amendment removing one township, specifically the lower valley of Beaver Creek, which contained the majority of the tillable land. As a result, the refuge consisted of approximately 56,035 acres.
1934-1946: Expansion and Recognition
Between 1934 and 1946, additional land was added to the refuge, nearly doubling its size to a total of 107,613 acres. In honor of their departed leader, the reservation was officially named Rocky Boy’s Reservation.
Early Development and Hardship
The early years of the Rocky Boy’s Reservation were marked by both progress and challenges. In 1916, the first agency school was built, providing educational opportunities for the children of the reservation. However, a severe drought between 1917 and 1920 devastated reservation gardens and eliminated most available jobs, exacerbating the already difficult living conditions.
1925: Health Crisis and Educational Initiatives
A health survey conducted in 1925 revealed alarming rates of disease and malnutrition among the reservation population. 23 out of 65 children attending school were diagnosed with advanced trachoma, nine showed signs of tuberculosis (TB), and all exhibited signs of malnutrition. Among the adult population, 20 percent suffered from TB. In response to these needs, Sangrey Day School was constructed, serving students in grades K-5.
1930-1931: Expanding Educational Access and Economic Challenges
In 1930, Haystack Day School was established, followed by Parker Day School in 1931. These schools were intended to serve tribal members who were moving away from the agency and into the reservation districts. However, maintaining a consistent teaching staff proved difficult due to scarce housing and challenging living conditions. Charles Gopher, born in 1933, recalled attending Parker Day School and learning songs and cultural knowledge from elders such as Young Boy, Chief Goes Out, and Well Off Man.
During this time, the Interior Department encouraged mining on the reservation. A twenty-year lease was granted to the Bear Paw Mining and Milling Company of Havre to extract gold, lead, silver, copper, and vermiculite. However, the Bureau of Indian Affairs limited tribal royalties to a mere 7.5 percent. The Tribe derived little benefit from this arrangement, and the company ultimately failed to pay rents and provide safe working conditions.
1933: New Deal Projects
The "New Deal" programs of the 1930s brought some relief to the Rocky Boy’s Reservation. Government projects led to the construction of roads, an irrigation ditch, the Bonneau Dam, and some houses. Houses were built on "assignments," with a construction cost of approximately $500 per house.
1934: Embracing Self-Governance
In 1934, the Rocky Boy Tribes voted overwhelmingly (172 for, 7 against) to organize under the Indian Reorganization Act, marking a significant step towards self-governance and tribal sovereignty.
1935-1936: Land Acquisition and Drought
In 1935, 35,000 acres of land adjacent to the Rocky Boy’s Reservation were purchased and put in trust for the Chippewa, Cree, and other landless Indians. However, ambiguity arose regarding the intended beneficiaries of this land. Rather than establishing two separate reservations, it was decided to incorporate the 35,000 acres into the Rocky Boy’s Reservation, with the adoption of 25 additional families.
In 1936, Dr. Henry Roe Cloud conducted a census of landless Indians, identifying 550 families, representing 3,000 individuals, as eligible for adoption. Eligibility required an Indian blood quantum of one-half or more.
The year 1936 also brought the worst drought in the history of Montana, forcing the tribe to sell the 350 cattle they had managed to save.
1938: Adoption of Non-Ward Indians
The process of adopting non-ward Indians continued in 1938, further expanding the tribal membership and land base of the Rocky Boy’s Reservation.
1944: A Promise Unfulfilled
In 1944, the Chippewa-Cree Tribal council relinquished their claim to Beaver Creek Park, trusting in promises from Havre, Hill County, and the state to assist the Rocky Boy Tribes with their land acquisition program. Unfortunately, the promised support never materialized.
1948-1949: Emergency Relief Efforts
Record low temperatures in 1948 and 1949 necessitated emergency airlifts of hay, food, and clothing to sustain the people and livestock of the Rocky Boy’s Reservation.
1949: Seeking Economic Support
In 1949, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Rocky Boy Business Committee collaborated to introduce a bill seeking economic support for the reservation in the form of low-interest loans. However, the bill failed to gain traction and died without any congressional action.
1970: Achieving Educational Autonomy
A major milestone was reached in 1970 when the Rocky Boy’s Reservation’s petition for their own school district was finally approved. Tribal members testified, providing compelling evidence of the need for a reservation school district. They cited a low 12 percent Indian student graduation rate in Havre High School, as well as other instances of discrimination, to make a strong case for a separate educational system.
1979: Addressing Student Needs
The Rocky Boy Alternative High School opened in 1979 to cater to the needs of 32 students who had dropped out of the public school system. This alternative school provided a supportive and culturally relevant learning environment.
1984: Founding Stone Child College
A significant step towards higher education was taken in 1984 with the passage of a Tribal Ordinance creating the Charter for Stone Child College, a tribal college dedicated to serving the educational needs of the Chippewa and Cree people.
1987: Creating a Public High School
In 1987, the Rocky Boy Tribal High School was built, and the tribes petitioned to create a new public high school district. After an appeal to State Superintendent Nancy Keenan, the tribes were successful in making their school a public school, ensuring greater access to funding and resources.
This timeline of the Chippewa and Cree Tribes and Rocky’s Boy Reservation Timeline highlights the resilience, adaptability, and determination of the Chippewa and Cree people in the face of adversity. From their ancient migrations to their ongoing efforts to build a thriving community on the Rocky Boy’s Reservation, their story is a testament to the enduring strength of Indigenous cultures and their unwavering pursuit of self-determination.
The history of the Chippewa and Cree Tribes and Rocky’s Boy Reservation Timeline is a powerful reminder of the challenges and triumphs of Indigenous communities in Montana. The Chippewa and Cree Tribes and Rocky’s Boy Reservation Timeline is important for understanding modern dynamics. Chippewa and Cree Tribes and Rocky’s Boy Reservation Timeline continues to evolve.