BICA Digital Collection

Robert Yellowtail

Robert Yellowtail

Training a Leader

Robert Summers Yellowtail Sr., was born in Lodge Grass, Montana on August 4, 1889. From the age of four he was boarded at a reservation school away from tribal influences. At age 13, Yellowtail was sent to Sherman Institute in Riverside, California where he excelled, graduating in 1907. He became interested in Indian law and wanted to help his people, which lead him to spend time at the Extension Law School in Los Angeles.

The Leader

Yellowtail was determined to take care of his people and was called on by Chief Plenty Coups to do just that. In 1917, working together with Plenty Coups and other tribal members, they stopped legislation that would open the Crow Indian Reservation to general homesteading. In 1919, Yellowtail returned to Washington D.C. to help write the 1920 “Crow Act”, ensuring that Crow Lands could never be taken without tribal consent. In 1934, Yellowtail became the Superintendent of the Crow Indian Reservation, a position he held until 1945. Under his leadership, the culture and economy of the Crow people was revived. He was elected tribal council chairman in 1952 and spent much of his time fighting the construction of the dam on the Bighorn River. Although, he opposed the construction of the dam, it was named in his honor.

Change

In the 1960's, Yellowtail became a full time rancher, involved only part time in politics. He began to take part in Crow events and celebrations as well as collaborating on a documentary in 1986 called “Contrary Warriors: A Film of the Crow Tribe.” In June of 1988, Robert Yellowtail Died. He was 98 years old.