Hills and forests on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana. Photo by Boyd Norton / Environmental Protection Agency / NARA
We need to tell our own stories
By Clara Caufield
Native Sun News Columnist
nsweekly.com As most readers know, I now work at the Hawley Mountain Guest Ranch in Montana, located about six hours from the Northern Cheyenne Reservation and close to Yellowstone Park. Until 1882, the land where the ranch is located was part of the territory reserved for the Crow Tribe. And indeed, for millenniums before that, this was favored country by many different Tribes. Indeed, an archaeological dig on the property yielded evidence of Native occupation of this land going back at least 7,500 years ago. The owner gives a weekly history talk about that and is very knowledgeable about those long ago native people, which is very interesting to the guests. But, there are no Indian people here now. Except for me. Guests come to the ranch from all over the world, fascinated by the whole western experience, including Indians. So, I find myself trying to explain many things, while carefully emphasizing that no one can be a general expert on Indians, because the Tribes are so diverse. I usually talk about the Cheyenne, because that is what I know something about, trying to present our people in a good way, sharing the beautiful things about our vibrant culture and amazing history. It is very challenging because while the guests have a high degree of interest and sympathy, they also have many misconceptions. It’s like starting from scratch, and sometimes I feel like a Martian, trying to explain what it is like to live on the moon and its history.
Read the rest of the story on the all new Native Sun News website: We need to tell our own stories (Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennedvoice@gmail.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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