Distinctly Montana Magazine

44 D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R 2 0 2 4 souri tribes. Furthermore, Denig's account is based on "a per- sonal acquaintance of 12 years." On October 27, 1851, Denig in- troduced the "famous Absaroka amazon" to Rudolph Friederich Kurz, a Swiss artist who was then visiting Fort Union. In his jour- nal entry for that date, Kurz described Woman Chief as roughly 45 years of age, "modest in manner and good-natured." Despite her demure demeanor, Kurz emphasized that, on this occasion, Woman Chief presented a Blackfeet scalp to Denig, one that she personally took in battle. Gros Ventre (Atsina) by birth, Woman Chief was captured by the Crows when she was approximately ten years old. Her foster father quickly recognized and encouraged her interest in hunt- ing and, later, the ways of the warrior. In 1856, Denig observed retrospectively that this remarkable woman compiled a war re- cord so distinguished that it elevated her to a "point of honor and respect not often reached by male warriors, certainly never before conferred upon a female of the Crow Nation." Indeed, her standing as a war leader enabled her to assume chiefly status, "ranking third person in [a] band of 160 lodges." Consequently, she earned the right to marry not one but eventually four women, who handled the domestic affairs of her lodge. After the Fort Laramie (or Horse Creek) Treaty of 1851, tempo- rary peace accords were successfully negotiated between various Plains tribes. During the summer of 1854, Woman Chief trav- eled north as a diplomatic envoy but, unfortunately, was killed by her biological kin, the Gros Ventre. Some evidence suggests that Woman Chief's achievements inspired other Plains Indian women to pursue a similar path, but the historical record clearly indicates that nobody equaled, let alone surpassed, her exploits as a woman warrior. "For 20 years," according to Denig, Woman Chief "conducted herself well in all things appertaining to war and a hunter's life." (406) 586-6404 eastmainink.com 1325 E. Main St. Bozeman, MT VOTE FOR US WIN $500 FOR YOUR CHANCE TO 2023 of B E S T M O N TA N A A S V O T E D B Y R E A D E R S O F W I N N E R ! ROBERT SCHMITTOU Running Eagle Falls, previously named "Trick Falls" because during the spring runoff from snow melt, there are two falls, the regular one that cut a pass through the rock and then where the Two Medicine Creek flows over the top. This will only be available for those that go early in the spring.

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