"At the time of Throssel's stay, the Crow tribe was indeed a dying breed. They had been the so-called Indians of the Wild West, heroes who had fought in historic battles. Among them were the scouts who led General Custer to his last stand – six men who, when the battle turned bleak, had donned their headdresses, determined to die as Crow warriors.
And when Throssel arrived, the people of the Crow tribe were largely still living by the old Native American traditions. They lived in tepees, held ceremonial dances around the fire, and trained their boys to be hunters and warriors.
| | Native American Rituals and Ceremonies – Legends of AmericaCeremony and rituals have long played a vital and essential role in Native American culture. Spirituality is an ... |
|
|
But life was changing. The tribe had been forced onto a reservation and was slowly being pushed into the lifestyle of the settlers. While Throssel was there, the Crow tribe was building its first wooden home, erected in the style of the white settlers. At the same time, schools were set up and the children of the Crow tribe were sent into classes where they learned in English, tutored by white teachers and missionaries."