Debby Detering Wordcraft

Debby's writing, book reviews, words to amuse or inspire.

  • Home
  • My Books
    • Panama and Beyond
    • Aunt Tabby’s Ways
    • Crossroads
    • Three Tales
  • Reading
    • Walk Two Moons
    • Doc Susie–Biography of a Doctor
  • About Debby
  • Blog
  • Contact

Crowfoot, Chief of the Blackfeet

03.12.2018 by Debby Detering // Leave a Comment

I met Chief Crowfoot in 1997 when we camped with grandchildren in Montana and in Canada.  Of course I didn’t meet him in person, because he died in 1890, but I found his biography, and we have driven through the country where he lived.  After reading about Crowfoot, I feel as if I had met him.

“Several Blackfeet women and with a boy were picking saskatoon berries when a grizzly bear surprised them.  The women dropped their berry bags and ran.  The boy tried to fit an arrow into his bow, but the bear swatted the bow away and attacked the boy.  Men from the nearby camp jumped on their horses, shouted, and fired their guns into the air to scare the grizzly.  Crowfoot ordered warriors to the other side of the grove of trees where the bear was hiding.

“With the whole camp gathered at a safe distance, the [men] rode to the other side of the grove.  There, single riders went into the trees and tried to entice the grizzly toward them.  When at last the huge beast came into view, the men shouted to Crowfoot, who was waiting on the far side.  Quickly he guided his horse into the dense bushes and soon was behind the savage bear.  With deadly accuracy, he plunged a spear into the animal and, when his horse became too frightened, dismounted and continued to stab the bear until its lifeless body crashed to the ground…from that time on [Crowfoot] was recognized throughout the tribe as a prominent chief.”

Crowfoot led his people through tragic times in Blackfeet (or Blackfoot) history with dignity and honor.

“Crowfoot learned quickly which white men he could trust, and those men in turn trusted him.  Crowfoot foresaw the end of the buffalo, realized that his people could survive only with dramatic changes in their way of life, negotiated for supplies, tools, and food for his people, protested broken promises and fraudulent dealings.  He co-operated with the Mounted Police and Indian Department officials, not because he could preserve the Blackfeet way of life, but because it was the only way to help his people.

“Crowfoot expected justice from the whites and demanded it from his own people: he was willing to risk his life for it.”
Crowfoot, Chief of the Blackfeet.  He died “beloved by his people, feared by his foes, esteemed by all.”

Share this:

  • Tweet

Related

Categories // Reading Tags // courage, multicultural, young adult

Been there? Done that? Read the book? What do you think? Cancel reply

Debby’s fiction explores family relationships with mingled conflict and caring and reflects her experience in emergency foster care, often for teenagers abandoned in one way or another.

Read more about Debby

Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Twitter

RSS Debby’s Other Blog: RAMBLING TOGETHER

  • Of Travel & Time Machines
    Not having a time machine, I must find other modes of travel.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Recent Posts

  • Onward…
  • Downsizing Books
  • Life Piles Up
  • Scribblomania–A Word for Writers
  • Marian Anderson: What I Had Was Singing
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Contact
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy

Categories

  • About Debby
  • Crossroads
  • Panama and Beyond
  • Reading
  • Wisdom
  • Words
  • Writing

Tags

allegory biography bullying California child abuse Christmas coming of age compassion conservation courage curiosity death discrimination empathy fiction Fourth of July friendship grief history honesty humor immigration Inspiration kindness middle grade Pacific Coast persistence poetry Primary grades promotion reference refugees renewal Research respect science setting sports Steamship Travel suicide technology volcano Washington Wildlife young adult

© 2021 · Debby Detering Wordcraft · Site by Skorich Designs.