1'ISKl 



THE ASSINEBOIN 433 



and having a stronger family connection than any other he would 

 consequently be acunowledged by the greater part of the band. 

 Should there be two candidates for the chieftainship equally capable 

 and related, the question would be decided the first day the camp 

 moved. 



Each would follow the leader he liked best, and the smaller portion 

 would soon revert to the larger, or if they were equally divided and 

 both parties intractable, a new band would be formed subject to 

 increase under their new leader or to dissolve and mix up with other 

 bands. Viewing things in this light, it is easily comprehended how 

 some personal defect, such as loss of sight or constitutional debility, 

 would depose a chief, but that these unfortunate circumstances 

 should render him a laughingstock and butt for others who before 

 feared and respected him is a trait in their character not to be ad- 

 mired. We have said enough to give a general idea of the origin, 

 progress, and tenure of chieftainship. It is only elective so far as 

 general consent has accorded his right to rule, and is only hereditary, 

 or appears so, because the relatives of the chief are mostly the most 

 numerous, and from their ranks arises a successor. Though we have 

 witnessed the chieftainship pass into other hands when the claims 

 of two powerful families were equal and the abilities or popularity 

 of one of the candidates defective in some principal part. 



Women are never acknowledged as chiefs, or have anything to 

 say in councils. We know of but one anomalous instance of the kind 

 on the whole upper Missouri which, being very remarkable, merits 

 notice. She is a Blackfoot by birth, but having been taken prisoner 

 when young by the Crows, was raised by and has since resided with 

 that nation, being identified with them. 



We have known this woman for 10 years, and during that time 

 have seen her head large war parties of men against the Blackfeet, 

 bringing away great numbers of horses, and killing several of the^ 

 enemy with her own hand. She is likewise a good huntress, both on 

 foot with the gun and on horseback with the bow and arrow, ranks 

 as a warrior and brave and is entitled to a seat in councils of the 

 Crow Nation. She ranked as fifth from the Crow chief in a council 

 held by the writer with the Crows and the Cree at Fort Union on the 

 occasion of making a peace between these two nations. She keeps 

 up all the style of a man and chief, has her guns, bows, lances, war 

 horses, and even two or three young women as wives, but in reality 

 servants. In appearance she is tolerably good-looking, has been 

 handsome, is now about 40 years of age. and still goes to war. Her 

 name is " Woman Chief," and although dressed as a woman the 

 devices on her robe represent some of her brave acts. She is fear- 

 less in everything, has often attacked and killed full-grown grizzly 

 bears alone, and on one occasion rode after a war party of Blackfeet, 



