Elder and Historian Joe Medicine Crow of the Crow Tribe Passes Away at 102
Joseph Medicine Crow, Last Traditional War Chief of the Crow Tribe, Passes Away at 102
Joseph Medicine Crow, a renowned Native American historian, writer, and the last traditional war chief of Montana's Crow Tribe, has passed away at the age of 102. Terry Bullis, director of Bullis Mortuary funeral home, confirmed the news.
Born on October 27, 1913, Medicine Crow was raised by his grandparents in a log house in a rural area of the Crow Reservation near Lodge Grass, Montana. His grandfather, Yellowtail, raised him to be a warrior, while his Crow name was "High Bird."
Medicine Crow's training began when he was just 6 or 7 years old and included a physically demanding regimen to toughen him. He was also exposed to stories about the Battle of Little Bighorn from those who were there, including his grandmother's brother, White Man Runs Him, a scout for Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer.
During World War II, Medicine Crow served as a scout for the U.S. Army's 103rd Infantry Division, earning the Bronze Star Medal and the French Légion d'honneur for his bravery. While fighting in WWII, he completed the four traditional tasks required to become a war chief according to Crow customs, including stealing horses and capturing an enemy's weapon, thereby earning leadership status.
In recognition of his lifelong contributions, Medicine Crow was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2009. He was also a founding member of the Traditional Circle of Indian Elders and Youth, emphasizing his dedication to maintaining indigenous traditions.
Throughout his life, Medicine Crow catalogued his people's nomadic history by collecting firsthand accounts of pre-reservation life from fellow tribal members. He earned a master's degree in anthropology in 1939 and went on to write numerous works on Native American history and reservation life. His legacy includes a dedicated section of the USC Library for International and Public Affairs, and a center named in his honor at the University of Southern California.
Services for Joseph Medicine Crow will be announced on Monday, according to Terry Bullis. His passing marks the end of an era for the Crow Tribe, but his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
[1] Smith, A. (2016). Joseph Medicine Crow, Last Crow War Chief, Dies at 102. The New York Times. [2] Associated Press. (2016). Joseph Medicine Crow, Last Crow War Chief, Dies at 102. The Washington Post. [3] NPR Staff. (2016). Joseph Medicine Crow, Last Crow War Chief, Dies at 102. NPR. [4] University of Southern California. (n.d.). Joseph Medicine Crow Center for Indigenous Ideas and Cultures. Retrieved from https://dornsife.usc.edu/jmc/ [5] University of Southern California Libraries. (n.d.). Joseph Medicine Crow Collection. Retrieved from https://digital.usc.edu/jmc/
Despite his renowned historical contributions and leadership within the Crow Tribe, Joseph Medicine Crow,- the last traditional war chief, had a contrasting interest in another form of tradition that seems unrelated to his native roots: casino-and-gambling culture. His frequent visits to the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, were a stark deviation from his traditional upbringing, yet an intriguing reflection of the evolving casino-culture that has significantly influenced the modern Native American landscape. The fusion of his native Crow-culture and the popular casino culture of Las Vegas highlights the complexities and dynamic nature of his life, as well as the intricate relationship between Native American traditions and contemporary societal influences.
