How 2007 Changed Us

By Jay Harris and Mary Hudetz
CrowNews.Net

With the final hours of 2007 upon us, we are taking a look back at who our Crow news makers were, and what changes the tribe saw, enjoyed or endured during the last 12 months.

We start our retrospect in late January when a basketball story out of Pryor highlighted not our tribe's legacy in this sport but a divided school board, an embattled superintendent and a coach looking to lead an alcohol-free team at odds.

In these early weeks of 2007, a heated controversy surfaced when Larry Falls Down, the former boys basketball coach for Plenty Coups High School, was fired by the Pryor School Board in a 3-2 vote. Falls Down had suspended a player for violating the team's alcohol rules.

Days after tensions in Pryor virtually vanished from the state's news pages, our tribal secretary Andrew Old Elk, beloved by many, passed away at age 62. Later in the spring, Scott Russell was elected as the tribe's secretary, having defeating Leon Old Elk Stewart 1,445 to 1,185.

It was the spring when some of the year's best news happened in our communities, save for the floods that inundated the reservation's lower reaches and displaced many.

The Hardin boys basketball team finished with its best record in a decade come March and the Rams -- Little Big Horn College's basketball team -- wrapped up their first season ever. Tuff Harris, a tribal member and former University of Montana Grizzly All-American, signed a two-year contract with the Miami Dolphins, becoming the first Crow to play major league professional sports.

On Easter, Saint Dennis Catholic Church reopened the doors to its chapel nearly a year after fires and other damages caused by vandals that shook the community. To see what the church looks like now, click here and watch an audio slideshow created by photographer Adam Sings in the Timber.

The spring hand game tournaments that took place for decades in Crow Agency's Round Hall were played down the road in the Apsaalooke Center, or Crow Multi-Purpose Building. Weeks before the competitions started, the Round Hall had been torn down by the tribe's administration.

By October, tribal politics returned to the spotlight with Chairman Carl Venne making clear his intent to run for reelection in 2008 with his supporters and administration declaring that our six-year-old constitution allows tribal officials to serve two, full four-year terms.

Also in November, half of the incumbents were defeated in their bid for reelection. Oliver Half, Jr., Woody “Shorty” Plain Feather, Patrick Alden, Jr., Conrad Stewart, Carlson “Duke” Goes Ahead, and Dana Wilson all won seats to the Crow Legislature in the races across the reservation's seven districts.

At the year's end, talks of natural resource development that remain an ongoing conversation with many of our politicians peaked in December when natural gas was struck in Black Lodge and Venne announced plans for a coal-to-liquid fuel plant that will be constructed on the reservation in the coming years.

People and events defined our year, but some studies showed changes too. Meth-use is down among Montana reservations high schoolers, for example, and domestic violence is on the decline on our reservation, too.

Pryor has got new rodeo grounds, while community halls for dances and other gatherings were built for St. Xavier and Black Lodge. In Crow Agency, a new hall is also being built at the site of the old Reno Hall that could potentially hold the dances the tribe puts on annually to celebrate the New Year.

Happy New Year from CrowNews!

Heywood Big Day III, also called "Third," contributed to this story.

Mid-Season Woes for Rams

By Leo Hudetz
CrowNews.Net

The Little Big Horn College Rams traveled to the eastern part of the state to face Miles City Community College on December 19 and fell, losing 107-79.

“We were not playing as a team against Miles City," said Gordon Real Bird, the team's head coach. "We have a lot of talent, we just need to decide that we are a team and play together.”

At the halfway point of the season the Rams have a record of 4-12. The next games will be at home at the  Apsaalooke Center, or Crow Agency's Multi-Purpose building, on Jan. 2 against Bismark State of  North Dakota.

“We are going into conference play now," Real Bird said. "I think this team is capable of winning  and having a better record than last year’s team.”

Tuff Harris Set to Play in Dolphins' Season Finale

By Jay Harris
CrowNews.Net

Finally!

Christmas arrives a little late this year for Tuff Harris fans but better late than never
when it comes to playing in the NFL.

The Miami Dolphins coaching staff informed Tuff earlier this week that he will start on special teams for the team's season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals (6-9).

After a full season of hard practicing and seven weeks on the 53-man active roster,Tuff, a rookie safety, is getting this much anticipated opportunity to play.

“Ever since I was activated from the practice squad, the coaching staff
has told me to be ready to play,” he said over the phone for
CrowNews.Net.

When he takes the field Sunday in Dolphin Stadium, he will make history
as the first Crow Indian to participate in a major league sports
contest during a regular season.

A four-year letterman at the University of Montana, Tuff signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted, college free agent in May. In September, he was signed to the team's practice squad before being activated in November.   

With the league's worst record at 1-14, the Dolphins have had a very
tough season under their first-year, head coach Cam Cameron. The team has
been riddled with injuries, especially in the safety position, and have
relied on many young players to fill important roles this season. 

Among the young players forced into action is Tuff's roommate in
Fort Lauderdale and rookie safety Courtney Bryan of New Mexico State. Courtney and Tuff are two of the five safeties currently on the Dolphin
roster.

If Tuff plays that position Sunday, he’ll be the eleventh
Dolphin safety to see playing time this season. The latest Dolphin
defender gone to injury is cornerback Andre Goodman, whom Tuff is
replacing on the active roster of players suiting out.

All NFL teams are required to suit out no more than 45 of the 53
players on the active roster, and though  the Dolphins activated Tuff
off the practice squad more than six weeks ago, the opportunity for him
to play in a regular season game has been a gameday decision for the
coaching staff.

“I suited out in the snow game at Buffalo and wasn’t
sure if I was going to be able to play then," he said. "Now that I know for sure
I’m playing, I might have to think of a pre-game ritual other than
reading the game program.”

The Bengal-Dolphin game is a confirmed sell-out and will kickoff at
11:00 a.m. Mountain time. The game will be televised on CBS, but coverage
in Montana will likely be available only on the NFL Sunday Ticket
through DirecTV.

Editor's note: Jay Harris is in the Graduate Law Program of the Air Force ROTC
at the University of Colorado and is originally from Lodge Grass. He's Tuff's brother too and is without a doubt watching today's Dolphins game. If you have a story, whether news or opinion, you'd like to share with our readers about events, people or places in or around Crow Agency, send an e-mail to editor@crownews.net., a fax to (406)5453, or call (406)243-4001.

On Honoring Our Veterans

Veterans lead a 2007 Crow Fair parade. Photo by Adam Sings In The Timber.

By Jay Harris
CrowNews.Net

We
modern Crows have honored our modern warriors through a Veteran's Park,
a Veterans Day Pow-Wow, and other important events and programs.

From U.S. army scouts who served in the Great Sioux War to
the soldiers and sailors fighting today in Operation Iraqi Freedom and
Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Crows have been on the
frontlines in virtually every major military operation the United
States has engaged in since the establishment of the Crow Reservation
in 1868. 

But not only have our men and women been in the fight, Crows have made many significant contributions and many have distinguished themselves with military honors. 

This
holiday season many Crows and thousands of
American Indians from other tribes will not be home to spend time with
their friends and family. They'll be busy serving our nation in the
armed forces. They are the American soldiers, sailors, and airmen that
represent tribal nations across the country and their selfless service
is deserving of the highest thanks we can possibly give them.

In
addition to those who currently serve, there is a great and
well-documented tradition of service in the military by American
Indians and this is not, of course, the first holiday season where
America has asked them to be away from home.   

In the spirit of our gratefulness, I urge everyone to call senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester and ask them to support or co-sponsor
the Senate's counterpart legislation to the bill, which is titled "Recognizing the contributions of Native American
veterans and calling upon the President to issue a proclamation urging
the people of the United States to observe a day in honor of Native
American veterans." 

Tell Baucus and Tester it is time to give official
recognition and thanks to our American Indian veterans with a national
day of honor.

When you call or write, perhaps you can share some of your own family stories of military or other national service.

Thinking beyond dinners and pow-wows and a national day of
honor, I believe there is much more than can be done to honor our
veterans each and every day. In order for our military to be truly
honored and for it to be truly honorable we must make sure that the
great sacrifices made during this historic turning point in our history
are always coupled with great civilian leadership founded upon the
notion that armed conflict, while sometimes unavoidable, is the
absolute last resort and peace always our primary objective.   

Together, recognizing service and helping to promote a
foreign policy that uses military force wisely is the civilian
embodiment of what I call "Native American Patriotism" – and I would
like to ask all Crows to think about what more can be done to honor
service and sacrifice in the military, especially during the holiday
season.

Tell Baucus and Tester it is time to give official
recognition and thanks to our American Indian veterans with a national
day of honor.

When you call or write, perhaps you can share some of your own family stories of military or other national service.

Thinking beyond dinners and pow-wows and a national day of
honor, I believe there is much more than can be done to honor our
veterans each and every day. In order for our military to be truly
honored and for it to be truly honorable we must make sure that the
great sacrifices made during this historic turning point in our history
are always coupled with great civilian leadership founded upon the
notion that armed conflict, while sometimes unavoidable, is the
absolute last resort and peace always our primary objective.   

Together, recognizing service and helping to promote a
foreign policy that uses military force wisely is the civilian
embodiment of what I call "Native American Patriotism" – and I would
like to ask all Crows to think about what more can be done to honor
service and sacrifice in the military, especially during the holiday
season.

A Soldier's Return Home

Zita Yellowmule, left, and daughter Denica, right, stand by Emma Yellowmule with photos of Pfc. John Yellowmule displayed behind them.  

Story and photo by Tyler Wilson
CrowNews.Net

After an 18-month tour in Iraq with the U.S. Army and a short stay in Hawaii with his unit, Pfc. John Yellowmule will return to his family, horses and home in Wyola for a visit.

The family is expecting him this evening and his stay will last two
weeks, said his sister Zita Yellowmule. When the visit ends, he might
return to Iraq for another six-month tour, the last in his four-year
military contract.

"I thought it was dangerous over there but he didn't seem to care," she
said. "We don't have to worry about that for a while now that he's
back." 

Featured on a wall near the family's dining table is an American flag
with a photo of Pfc. Yellowmule's unit. A second photo shows him
standing alone in front of a flag and in uniform. He has spent the bulk
of his recent Iraq tour in Kurkur, located in the country's northern
region.

Emma Yellowmule, the mother of Pfc. Yellowmule, smiles at the mention
of her son, revealing her pride. And though she wants him home, she
said he is considering re-enlistment after his current contract ends,
which worries her.

Zita sides with her mom, expressing that she hopes her brother, who was
a tribal police officer before enlisting, will weigh out other options,
like applying for a job with the Bureau of Indian Affairs.   

"It's dangerous but I believe in it 100 percent," Zita said of her brother's work. "I think he's fighting for our country."   

The last time Yellowmule visited was in May, a stay that also lasted
two weeks. "You could tell he was stressed when he came back," Zita
said. 

In December, when he is back on his family's land, Pfc. Yellowmule, who
is 35, plans on tending to his 10 horses, one of which is new, Zita
said. The family plans to have a dinner for his clan aunts and uncles.

"We will ask them for prayers," Zita said. "We are relieved he's alright." 

Editor's note: If you are currently serving in the armed services,
or have friends and family in Iraq or Afghanistan, we welcome your
words, stories and photos on this news site. Please send an e-mail to
editor@crownews.net, call (406)243-4001 or send a fax to (406)545-3953.

As the Holidays Near, a Plan for Peace

By Pius Real Bird
CrowNews.Net

I love this country and the people in my heart and spirit. I am an 83-year-old full-blooded Crow Indian and I have seen much in my life and thought deeply about this land. I never want to see it bombed and burned or turned to ashes.

In thinking about this, an idea came to me to try for peace on this earth. Native Americans are closely connected to nature and love Mother Earth and because of this we are respected throughout the whole world.

I believe a committee of seven traditional Native Americans, representing different tribes, who are involved in the sun dance, sweat lodge, Native American Church and other spiritual ceremonies should be selected to deliver this message to the U. S. government: You have tried your ways and have not been successful.

This committee of seven, which would also be knowledgeable in the
ways of the world, would meet the nations of the world seeking peace.
We would ask that the United States be bound by any agreements because
their purpose would be to protect America and its people while
respecting those of other lands.   

Peace is hard to achieve, but Native Americans have the respect of
all nations. They know that we have been mistreated by the United
States but somehow have managed to keep our culture, language, values
and dignity, all of which are important to us.

The committee could be trusted to hold the humanity of others in
high regard. The hardest part would be to make the U.S. agree and hold
to its promise of respecting what this committee would work out with
these people.

We need to try something to make headway against the threats to our
beautiful country. The war and diplomacy of the past has not and will
never work. If anyone wants to work on this, you can write to me at my
home. Thank you for the opportunity to put forth this idea.

Editor's note: Pius Real Bird has been a rancher on the Crow Reservation for more than 60 years and represented the Wyola (Mighty Few) District as a tribal legislature in recent years. You can write to Pius at P.O. Box 14, Wyola, Mont., 59089.

For the Rams, a New Team Record Is One Win Away

By Mary Hudetz
CrowNews.Net

A win and a loss against the Salish Kootenai College Bison this week means the Rams will go into their holiday break having won just as many games as the Little Bighorn College team did throughout their entire 2006-07 run.

On Monday night, the Rams won 124-112 with top-scorer Frank Hugs pouring in 40 points during the grand opening of SKC's new $5.5 million athletic center in Pablo. DJ Piapot was SKC's top scorer with 27 points.

Though Hugs came back Tuesday night to lead the team with 31 points, the Rams couldn't pull out the win. Piapot and the Bison rallied back from Monday night's game to beat the Rams 134-114.

The Rams are now 4-11, a losing record until you consider that the team now has a shot at topping the four victories that were claimed last year by the college's inaugural basketball te am. 

"We surprised a lot of people that we won four games last year. Some people thought we wouldn't get anything," second-year player Isaiah Stewart said earlier this fall. "This year we got more chemistry, more chemistry and we've got more height and more bulk on the squad."

Two weekends ago, the team travelled to North Dakota for games against United Tribes Technical College and Bismarck State.

They returned to Crow Agency having trumped the United Tribes team 122-121, and having lost to Bismarck State 120-89. In the game against United Tribes, first-year player Justin Hugs finished the night with a season high of 37 points.

Wacey Real Bird, who powered the inside game that night, put in 35 points, setting a new career high.

In the game against Bismarck State, the Rams got into early foul trouble and never recovered. Picking up four quick fouls early in the game, Wacey Real Bird didn't contribute like he had in recent games.

Leo Hudetz contributed to this story.

Lady Rams 0-2 in Pablo

For the Little Bighorn College women's team, Miranda Rowland and Adree Hugs were high-point players in Pablo, though the Rams lost both of the games they played in Salish Kootenai College's new athletic center.

On Monday night, SKC won 86-75. Before the half, SKC's Dani Augare scored 15 points and LBHC's Miranda Rowland led the team with 21 points. In the second half Dani Augare added another 10 points while LBHC's Adree Hugs scored 16.

The following night, SKC women won with 88 points to LBHC's 56. The leading scorer's for that game were SKC's Angie Redstar, who had 10 points, and LBHC's Hugs, who had 15.

Slain Missionary Served in Lodge Grass

Here is the Billings Gazette story about Philip Crouse, who was one of the people killed in Sunday's mass shooting in Arvada, Colo.  The piece, written by Luella Brien, tells his story through the memories of some of the people he befriended while building a house for Dana and Keith Bartlett in Lodge Grass.