Fort Belknap reservation in Montana is home to both the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Indian tribes. The two thousand inhabitants of the reservation recognize an array of symbols--political, ritual, and sacred--which have meaning and emotional impact for all; yet there is sharp disagreement between the two tribes and among the various age groups about the interpretation of these symbols. Anthropologist Loretta Fowler here examines the history and culture of the Gros Ventres over two centuries, seeking to discover why the residents of Fort Belknap ascribe different and often opposing meanings to their shared cultural symbols and how these differences have influenced Gros Ventre identity.

A comprehensive look at the geographic beauty of the state through 151 lively essays. Features 124 black-and-white photographs.

"Provides real insight into the religion of the nineteenth-century Gros Ventre (Atsina) Indians. Known to themselves as the White Clay People, this little-known tribe now shares the Fort Belknap Reservation in Montana with the Assiniboines. However, throughout much of their recorded history they were allied with the Blackfeet. The book is a record of the spiritual life of Bull Lodge (born ca. 1802, died 1886), religions leader, healer, and for a time, keeper of the Feathered Pipe, one of the two tribal objects of the Gros Ventres. . . . [It] makes absorbing reading. Beginning at the age of twelve. Bull Lodge sought spiritual power through the tribal Feathered Pipe. From the ages of seventeen to twenty-three he was favored with a series of seven visions on seven buttes that together outline a Gros Ventre cultural geography. . . . "The strength of the narrative is the rich detail of ritual description: fasting, sacrifices, vision experiences, the practices of healing. By describing ritual in the context of a man's life, the book gives a uniquely historical understanding of the dynamics of traditional religious life. It provides deeper understanding of the Gros Ventres' way of life and gives a valuable comparative perspective on plains Indian religion."--Raymond J. DeMallie, Western Historical Quarterly. George Horse Capture is field manager of Fort Belknap Ventures. Inc., a tribal enterprise to develop and market traditional Indian art. At present he is helping to establish a tribal museum.

Fictional sketches of a rural family doctor in his community.

This directory provides information relative to the incorporated Native American villages of Alaska and the American Indian reservations of mainland U.S. There are approximately 170 Alaskan entries which identify the name of the Native American corporation, its address, the number of villages incorporated, population number, racial distribution, and land status. Each of the some 400 entries on the American Indian reservations include the following items of information: (1) reservation name; (2) county and state location; (3) tribal name; (4) address of tribal headquarters; (5) population number; (6) land status; (7) a brief history; (8) a brief cultural sketch; (9) tribal government; (10) tribal economy; (11) climate; (12) transportation (in terms of accessability); (13) community facilities; and (13) vital statistics (population of Indians residing on or adjacent to reservation, labor force, employment vs unemployed, and average educational level when identifiable). Reference is also made to recreational activities in some entries. Population data is derived from the Bureau of Indian Affairs' 1969-1973 census figures.

40 CFR Protection of Environment