Coolidge Recognized With Lakota Name
Standing Rock Sioux Call Him “Bear Ribs”
Edited by Dakota Goodhouse
Bismarck, N.D. (Bismarck Tribune, July
1927) – The following appeared in the Bismarck Tribune, summer 1927, when three
tribal community members sent a letter to President Coolidge. These three later
met the President in the Black Hills, August 1927, when he established summer
camp near Spearfish, S.D.
President Coolidge has been adopted by
an Indian tribe, which has given him the name Bear Ribs, meaning the Indian
conception of the chief who originally bore that name as “a far seeing,
progressive man.” Another honor bestowed upon the President is the gift of an
Indian pipe and beaded tobacco bag. He intends to smoke the pipe, he said,
although he does not enjoy pipe smoking.
News of the President’s adoption came to
the White House in a letter signed by the committee of three Indians, living on
the reservation near Fort Yates, N.D. as follows:
Hon. Calvin Coolidge
President of the United States,
Washington D.C.
Dear Mr. President:
The Indians of the Kenel District on
this reservation at their local council desire to congratulate you upon your
re-election and take pleasure in mailing you, under separate cover, a pipe and
beaded tobacco bag.
Presidents in the past have done much in
reference to the Indian and his destiny, but it remained for you to give to the
Indian that citizenship which he hoped for through many years. We desire to
express our heartfelt appreciation for the citizenship granted us, and also for
the good judgement shown in protecting our property rights and by not turning
them over to the Indians without supervision. To turn the property rights over
without protection would have been a great misfortune to us.
For many years the Indian has doubted
the government’s good intentions, but we now know that it had a definite
purpose in view and that the government’s ultimate intention was to train us
for citizenship.
Many years ago when trouble arose
between the Indians and the soldiers under a white general we called White
Beard, we fought the soldiers, but later there came peace between us. At that
time Bear Ribs, a progressive chief of the Hunkpapas [Huŋkphápȟa], tried to
teach us the white man’s way.
The Indians objected to learning this
new way, and as a result Bear Ribs was finally murdered because of his progressive
ideas.
We now know that Bear Ribs was right,
and we honor his memory. Because Bear Ribs was a far-seeing, progressive man,
we now give you the name Bear Ribs, by which you will be known to our tribe.
Very respectfully,
Antoine Claymore
Jovita Badger
Pius Shoots First
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