Llevando "Cowboy" Fisher serves as the president of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and is seeking re-election. Photo courtesy A Cheyenne Voice
Thank you Cowboy for a ‘Job Well Done’
By Clara Caufield
Native Sun News Today Columnist
nativesunnews.today All over Indian Country, it is election time. Many are seeking office, especially the top spot, the tribal presidency. Based on the tribal primary election at Northern Cheyenne, for example, there will be a significant changing of the guard. Long-time tribal servant, Llevando “Cowboy” Fisher did not make it to the general election and thus one of two relative newcomers will lead the Northern Cheyenne for the next four years. “Cowboy” as he is affectionately known to the Northern Cheyenne people will soon conclude a career of political service that spans four decades. That is why it is now appropriate to acknowledge his service and efforts. A former boss of mine, Senator John Melcher, D-MT also a veteran politician once commented that in his view the two toughest political jobs in America were being a school board chairman in a small sports-driven town or being a tribal chairman/president. “Both of those political jobs require a lot of very direct and personal constituent services,” he said. “And both invite much criticism. It has to be a labor of love and very stressful. I don’t know if I would or could do that.” John knew what he was talking about. In politics for more than 25 years, he rose through the ranks, from city council member to state legislator, then elected to Congress for many terms where he chaired the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, becoming personally acquainted with most of the Tribal Chairmen of the seven Montana Reservations. Since he originated from Forsyth, Montana, a county seat of the Northern Cheyenne reservation, he was a long-time colleague and friend of then tribal president Allen “Chuggy” Rowland, who also served the Northern Cheyenne for several decades. Indeed, their political careers mirrored one another and Melcher was ever a good friend to the Northern Cheyenne, in large part due to his long friendship with Chuggy. As a young person, it was my privilege to work first for Chuggy and later for Senator Melcher. I also have had the opportunity to be closely associated with “Cowboy” over the years, as a tribal staff member when he served many terms on the Council, a Council member during the first two years of his first Presidency and Vice-President under the last two years of his first administration. Although we certainly did not see eye-to-eye on some issues, I developed a high regard for his dedication, strong work ethic and strongly held positions. “Cowboy” and Melcher shared similar traits – a bulldog dedication to issues in which they believed, “straight” talking and strong work ethics. You could always count on Cowboy to be at work and readily available to his constituents and you were never confused about his stance on the issues.
Read the rest of the story on the Native Sun News Today website: Thank you Cowboy for a ‘Job Well Done’ (Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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