Clara Caufield. Photo from Native News Project / University of Montana School of Journalism
Indians and their similarities to Amish ‘Tribe’
By Clara Caufield
A Cheyenne Voice What is the definition of a Tribe? Mr. Webster has several definitions, two pertinent to this column: 1) a group of person, family or clans believed to be descended from a common ancestor and forming a close community under a leader or chief and 2) any group of people having the same occupation, habits or ideas. This week I write about a unique “Tribe” living in southeastern Montana, bordering the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation - the Amish Colony near Ashland is one of five in Montana and the newest enclave, founded in the last 15 years. The Amish live just off the pavement on a graveled short cut which the adventurous travel from Ashland to Miles City, Forsyth or Colstrip, except in winter or spring thaw when it can be hazardous in a modern vehicle. Horses, however, navigate it just fine. The Amish settlement is home to several close-knit families who came from the mid-west. Their settlement attracts visitors including many Northern Cheyenne searching for bargains: food from the grocery store, specializing in “dented” goods, at bargain prices; hand-crafted tack from the saddlery; rough lumber from a small sawmill, produce or hay. Many take horses there to be ridden or shod. And, during Amish auctions throngs of area people flock to the settlement, all in search of exquisite quilts, home-made baked goods, “kid-proof” horses, hand crafted furniture and tack, antiques and other bargains. Need a cream can, colorful hanging flower baskets raised from seeds or hand woven accent rugs? The Amish auction is the place to go. In many ways, these resourceful people are more of a “Tribe” nowadays than us Northern Cheyenne. How is that you wonder? Good question. Let’s look at a few things that would characterize a Tribe. Language: That’s a subject of contemporary discussion among us Native Americans (By the way, great column on that subject in a recent Native Sun News issue by Mr. Ivan Star Comes Out). While many of us are busy talking about our language, the Amish people are talking their language, a version of German. I am a fluent German speaker – “hoch Deutsch” taught in University and tried that out with some of the Amish. Though they got the drift of what I said, over the years their German dialect has become very specific to them, now different from the mother tongue. Just like the Cheyenne language, which differs slightly between different bands - the Lame Deer (Black Lodge Band) version of a word may be slightly different from the Birney (Scabby Band) version. The point being that the Amish still speak their language on a daily basis and are very naturally transmitting it to their children. They don’t think about it, talk about it or have special Amish Language classes – they just speak it. The adults are conversant in English, necessary for commerce and trade with us “non-Amish” and in time the children learn that too. Dress: Years ago, Native Americans were easily identified by dress, hair styles and especially beadwork designs. We used to make all our own clothing from what was available and the Amish still do that. They are clearly recognizable by their dress and garb: the men in blue chambray suits, black vests and pants, straw or black felt hats; the women in long cotton gowns, aprons and bonnets. The children are dressed similarly, except normally barefoot. Today, can we distinguish American Indian Tribes by dress? At a Pow wow where traditional regalia is worn, perhaps. But in everyday life? Probably not. And, too many of our young people are enchanted with the ‘gangsta” style of dress favored by black people, coming from the ghettos. Every time I see a young Cheyenne sporting those baggy britches and “gangsta” colors it makes me sad. Religion: Before the advent of the white man, Native people shared a common religious view point. We all know what happened there, but why did it not happen to the Amish who are equally surrounded by non-Amish. Is it because of their insularity? Is it because they refuse to allow their children to attend non-Amish schools? I’m not sure, but the Amish people have retained their own religion and still practice it as a group, the glue that holds them together. Food: The Amish have a specific territory, communally owned just like Native Tribes used to own and utilize their land base for the common good of the entire Tribe. And, they seem to be very good land stewards, raising crops, livestock and gardens, chickens for eggs and meat, goats for milk and meat, cows for the same that yield sustaining them. Of course, they trade for some necessities– sugar, flour, salt, gasoline etc., but they produce the basic food that sustains them including surplus which is often purchased by Northern Cheyenne. And, they harvest wild bounty from the land. I especially love the pure Amish honey and only my Mom, Teddy McMakin can make better chokecherry or plum jelly or home-made apple pies. Shelter: In the old days, our Great Plains people made their own homes, after harvesting the animals and processing the skins. The Amish still do that – the men being expert carpenters with their own sawmill, often in great local demand, especially for log construction or repair, a dying art in the rest of the world. Because they eschew electricity, utility costs are minimal. The Ashland settlement has one pay telephone housed in a small outhouse-looking building by the road, often with a horse tied up nearby, meaning that one of them is inside making a telephone call. Significantly, they don’t believe in radio, TV, computers and other distractions bringing outside influences to their young people. As a TV avoider myself, I think that is great, but I’d feel deprived without public radio. Horses: Ironically, now some of the “worlds’ greatest light Calvary” (a term General Miles used to describe the Northern Cheyenne warriors of yore) take their horses to the Amish for training and horse shoeing. The Amish go everywhere, including the 10 mile jaunt to Ashland via horseback or buggy. I love to see the little Amish kids riding their equally little horses whipping as they dash from place to place. Sometimes they hire a non-Amish friend to drive them to larger towns like Billings or Forsyth for shopping, (like the Cheyenne, they love thrift stores) but otherwise they ride or drive buggies, reminiscent of our old travois. Leadership: The Amish clearly defer to the elder men who make decisions on behalf of the colony. Although I’m sure the women are influential, it is not in a public manner. Each person has a job to do, even the children, tasks assigned by the leaders. When dealing with the Amish, you find that decision-maker or “Chief” in order to conclude a deal. It doesn’t appear that this person is a dictator, rather a well-respected and trusted elder. Isn’t that what traditional Native Chiefs were? There are probably other tribal traits I could mention, but I think the point has been made. The Amish people in southeastern Montana are self-sufficient; they have retained a distinct and unique culture and lifestyle in spite of the pressures of modern society. Furthermore, they are a contented, happy people and in all likelihood will continue to be. I think they may feel sorry for the rest of us tribal people. Maybe we could learn something from them. (Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
Join the Conversation