Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation
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Location in Montana
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| Tribe | Chippewa Cree | |
| Country | United States | |
| State | Montana | |
| Counties | Chouteau Hill |
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| Established | September 7, 1916 | |
| Headquarters | Box Elder | |
| Government | ||
| • Body | Business Committee | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 171.4 sq mi (444 km2) | |
| Population
(2017)
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| • Total | 3,794 | |
| • Density | 22.135/sq mi (8.547/km2) | |
| Website | chippewacree-nsn.gov | |
The Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation is a special area of land set aside for Native American tribes in Montana. It is one of seven such reservations in the state. The reservation was officially created by the U.S. government on September 7, 1916. It was named after Chief Ahsiniiwin, whose name meant "Stone Child." People often mistakenly called him "Rocky Boy."
This land was first set aside for Chippewa (also known as Ojibwe) people who did not have their own land in the American West. Soon after, many Cree and Métis people also came to live there. Today, there are more Cree people than Chippewa on the reservation. The U.S. government agency that works with Native American tribes, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), calls it the Chippewa Cree Reservation.
The reservation is located in north central Montana, about 40 miles (64 km) from the border with Canada. It covers parts of Hill and Chouteau counties. The total land area is about 171.4 square miles (444 km2). This includes some trust lands that are not directly on the main reservation. In 2017, about 3,794 people lived on the reservation.
Contents
About the Reservation
The Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation was created to give land to the Rocky Boy's Band of Chippewa Indians. These people had been forced to leave their homes in Minnesota and had no land of their own. The reservation is located in the Bears Paw Mountains in north central Montana. It is the smallest reservation in Montana by land size.
The largest town on the reservation is Box Elder. Most of the people living on the reservation are members of the Chippewa Cree Tribe.
The Name "Rocky Boy"
The name "Rocky Boy" comes from a mistake in translating the name of the tribal chief, Ahsiniiwin. In the Chippewa language, his name meant "Stone Child" or "Being of Stone." The Chippewa people who are descendants of Chief Rocky Boy say his name is Asiniweyin.
The U.S. Department of Interior refers to the Chippewa-Cree Tribe as the official tribe on the reservation. However, the Chippewa and Cree are actually different tribes. They are both part of the larger Anishinaabe family of Native American peoples.
History of the Reservation
Chief Rocky Boy worked hard to get land for his people. In 1902, he wrote to the U.S. government and even to President Theodore Roosevelt. He asked for land, homes, and schools for his band of about 130 Chippewa people. They had been forced to move from eastern areas and had no place to live. Some Cree people also needed land at this time.
Chief Rocky Boy worked with important people in Montana to achieve his goal. These included Senator Joseph M. Dixon, writer Frank Bird Linderman, and painter Charles Russell. In 1908, a count showed 75 members in the Rocky Boy Band.
Land Issues and Relocation
In 1908, Montana passed laws about Native American lands. There was also a sad event called the Swan Valley Massacre of 1908. State officials attacked a small Pend d'Oreilles hunting group, even though the group had treaty rights to hunt there. This event caused anger among Native Americans.
In 1909, over 100 landless Chippewa-Cree people gathered near Helena, Montana. They hoped to be moved to a new home on the Blackfeet Reservation. But the government decided to send them to the new Chippewa band's home instead. This new reservation was first called the Babb Reservation.
Chief Little Bear and his band of about 200 Cree people from Canada soon joined Rocky Boy's band. They had come to the U.S. after a conflict in Canada called the North-West Rebellion. The U.S. Army allowed the Chippewa and Cree to settle at Fort Assinniboine in Hill County. By 1912-1913, almost 600 Chippewa and Cree lived there.
The Rocky Boy Reservation was partly created from land given by the Army from Fort Assinniboine. Most of the people who settled there were Cree refugees from Canada.
Establishing the Reservation
Chief Rocky Boy had already overseen a count of his Chippewa band in 1908. He was living on the new Chippewa Reservation near Babb, Montana with 50 to 60 people. He worked with the U.S. Indian agent to get more land, which was approved in 1916. Soon after the reservation was officially created, Chippewa and other landless Native Americans, including the Cree, settled there.
In 1916, the U.S. Congress passed a law to officially create what was first called Rocky Boy's Reservation. Chief Ahsiniiwin explained to a government inspector that Chippewa people lived all over Montana. He said his people were peaceful. He had also helped create the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation and signed an agreement in Minnesota in 1889.
Chief Rocky Boy died on April 18, 1916, before the reservation was officially established. Some historical accounts suggest he may have been assassinated by rival Cree.
In 1917, a count was done at Rocky Boy Reservation to create a list of tribal members for what became known as the Chippewa Cree Tribe.
Tribal Government and Economy
The main governing body of the tribe is called the Chippewa Cree Business Committee. It acts like the Tribal Council. The eight council members and the chairman are elected by all tribal members. They serve four-year terms.
The tribe has taken on more control over its own programs. They manage programs that used to be run by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Indian Health Service. This gives the tribe more power to decide what is best for their community.
Economic Development
The tribe brings in a lot of money each year, about $52 million. This money comes from federal programs and tribal businesses. It helps the local economy. Most people living on the reservation work for the Chippewa Cree Tribe.
The tribe has several businesses that create jobs:
- The Chippewa Cree Community Development Corporation
- Chippewa Cree Construction Company
- National Tribal Development Association
- Northern Winz Casino
- Plain Green Loans (an online lending company)
The tribe also runs its own schools, including the Rocky Boy public schools and Stone Child College, a tribal college. They also have the Chippewa Cree Housing Authority, which helps with housing. The Rocky Boy Health Board provides health services for tribal members.
Northern Winz Casino
The Chippewa Cree tribe owns and operates the Northern Winz Casino. It opened in 2007. The casino is located on U.S. Highway 87, about 6 miles (9.7 km) east of Box Elder, Montana.
Chippewa Religious Traditions
Many Chippewa people follow the peace pipe religion. This tradition is part of the Grand Lodge or Mediwiwin society. It takes many years for members to learn all the levels of this society. The Chippewa do not use peyote in their ceremonies and do not accept Christianity.
Some Chippewa people continued their traditions at Hill 57, near Great Falls, Montana. This was led by Mary Chippewa Gopher, whose spiritual name was "Iron Claw Bear Woman." She was Chief Rocky Boy's niece. Her family continues to hold the teachings of the sweat lodge.
Other Religious Institutions
Several Christian churches have been built on the reservation. These include Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, St. Mary's Catholic Church, a Baptist mission church, and the Rocky Boy Assembly of God Church.
While many Chippewa-Cree people are Christian, some still follow traditional spiritual beliefs. They hold cultural ceremonies and activities throughout the year. These include the traditional Thirst Dance (also known as the Sun Dance) in July and the annual Pow-Wow in August. Other events include Christmas Dances, round dances, and ceremonial feasts.
Communities on the Reservation
The Rocky Boy Reservation has nine settlements. Most of these are located in the Bear Paw Mountains. The U.S. Census Bureau lists eight of them as official communities.
- Agency (also called "Rocky Boy's Agency") - population 355 in 2010.
- Azure - in the Bear Paw Mountains.
- Boneau - 7 miles (11 km) east of Box Elder.
- Box Elder - population 87 in 2010; located on the plains.
- Parker School
- Rocky Boy West (or New Box Elder) - population 890 in 2010; southeast of Box Elder.
- Saint Pierre - population 350 in 2010.
- Sangrey - at the edge of the Bear Paw Mountains.
There is also a new settlement about 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Boneau.
Climate and Weather
The Rocky Boy Reservation has different weather conditions depending on the area. Near Box Elder, it is warmer in summer and windier in winter. Strong winds called Chinook Winds can cause damage in the Box Elder area during winter. These winds can also warm the mountain communities, but they are not as strong there. The mountains usually get more snow than the plains.
In Box Elder, average low temperatures in winter (December, January, February) are between 5 and 9 degrees Fahrenheit (-15 to -13 Celsius). Average high temperatures are between 26 and 31 degrees Fahrenheit (-3 to -1 Celsius). In summer (June, July, August), average high temperatures are between 76 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (24 to 29 Celsius). Average low temperatures are between 49 and 54 degrees Fahrenheit (9 to 12 Celsius).
Notable Leaders and People
Many important people have come from the Chippewa and Chippewa-Cree tribes connected to Rocky Boy's Reservation.
Chippewa Leaders
- Chief Rocky Boy (Asiniweyin, c.1852-1916): His name means "Stone Being." He was born in Wisconsin and helped create the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation. He also helped establish the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Reservation.
- Charles Chippewa: Chief Rocky Boy's brother. He was once the keeper of Chief Rocky Boy's sacred bundle.
- John Goodrunner: A Chippewa man who organized the annual Rain Dance (Sun Dance) on the reservation.
- Mary Chippewa Gopher ("Iron Claw Bear Woman"): Chief Rocky Boy's niece. She led Chippewa resistance against U.S. government policies that affected tribal self-rule. She led her people from 1946 until her death in 1965.
- Mary Bearwalker McGillis: She helped the Chippewa people through difficult times.
- Duncan Standing Rock, Sr.: An elder who holds important ceremonial knowledge of the Chippewa people. He has held Chief Rocky Boy's sacred bundle.
- Robert Gopher ("Listening Thunder"): Chief Rocky Boy's grand-nephew. He continued the Chippewa efforts to regain their self-rule after his parents died.
Chippewa-Cree Leaders
- Black Powder (c.1800-1865): An Ojibwa leader from the Montana, Alberta, and Saskatchewan regions.
- Big Bear (1825-c.1888): A Plains Cree leader who was involved in the 1885 North-West Rebellion in Canada. He was imprisoned for his role.
- Little Bear (c.1850-1921): Big Bear's son, a Cree leader. He fought in the 1885 Northwest Rebellion in Canada and later fled to Montana. He brought about 200 of his people to the Rocky Boy Reservation after it was established. He became a leader on the reservation after Chief Rocky Boy's death.
