Originally released in 1977, this classic recording of the Young Grey Horse Society of Browning, Montana has influenced many great pow-wow singers and dancers over the years. Begun by Wayne Bear Medicine, the Society was dedicated to preserving traditional Blackfeet ways for future generations.

The Blackfeet, known as Nizitapi ("Real People") in their own language, have occupied their homelands in central Montana, southern Alberta and parts of Saskatchewan for thousands of years. The Blackfeet (referred to in Canada as the Blackfoot) are part of the confederacy that includes the Blood, North Piegan and Siksika tribes.

The English term Blackfeet comes from the unique black coloring of their moccasins. A people of the northern Plains, the Blackfeet led a nomadic lifestyle that centered on hunting buffalo. The early 1700's saw expanded trade with oncoming settlers that introduced the gun and the horse to the Blackfeet which greatly increased their hunting efficiency. With the growth in leisure time that followed, Blackfeet culture and religion developed rapidly. Blackfeet religion focused around the yearly Sun Dance or Medicine Lodge Ceremony that ensured the prosperity and health of the tribe. When the famous artist George Catlin encountered the Blackfeet in 1832, he put the population of the confederacy at 16,500 and went on to say that they were the most powerful tribe in North America. However, the increasing movement of settlers in to Blackfeet territory had tragic effects on the tribes of the confederacy. Buy 1883 the buffalo had been decimated by settlers and with the their vital food source eliminated, the tribe became entirely dependent on the Indian Agency, located in Browning, Montana. During the winter 1884, an estimated over 600 people died of starvation and the population decreased to 1400. In 1896, the tribe ceded its western lands to the U.S. government, who later used them to establish Glacier National Park. In a speech made at the time, a Blackfeet Chief named White Calf spoke of Ninastako ("Chief Mountain"), a holy place revered by the Blackfeet. "Chief Mountain is my head," he said. "Now my head is cut off. The mountains have been my last refuge."

The establishment of schools and educational programs by both the government and Catholic missionaries around the turn of the century sought to separate the Blackfeet from their native language and traditional tribal culture. However, these schools also helped create jobs and ready the Blackfeet for self-government.

Despite past opposition, the Blackfeet have proudly succeeded in maintaining many elements of traditional culture. Societies like the Young Grey Horse Society have helped ensure that these rich traditions are preserved for future generations. Recent programs have been dedicated to reintroduce tribal language and to further promote traditional ways. The last few decades have seen the gradual reemergence of one of the great Native American tribe in North America.

THE GREY HOURSE SOCIETY
The Grey Horse Society was an old and respected organization of the Blackfeet Nation. It was comprised mostly of old men who remembered their early years as a life of happiness -- that of hunting the few remaining buffalo, going on horse raids, and being born and living year round in a tipi. No one knows when it began or what its function was, but we do know it played and important part in the daily life of the early Blackfeet, the same way the Dove, Crazy Dog, and Kit Fox Societies did. These were the fighting or elite forces of the tribe.

In later years, after reservation life, these retired warriors could only gather and reminisce about past exploits, sing songs, exalt their brave deeds and pray. Some of the older people referred to it as being the same as the Veterans of Foreign Wars or American Legion -- an old warriors' society whose place in history had all but vanished.

In 1970 my wife and began training some young people who became interested in singing and dancing as a sort of hobby because during the winter in our community there isn't much to do. Soon we were doing more and more. With the help fo my wife we began teaching the young people to bead, make bustles and we began to travel to nearby celebrations and put on special performance for various organization.

With the help of my father and uncle, I learned of the Dove Society and their songs and taught the boys how to perform the Dove dance -- one of our own Blackfeet dances that had been forgotten.

During the North American Indian Days, with the help of Mary Grounds and Joe Eagle Child we, the Young Grey Horse Society, were officially inducted into the Dove Society by the last remaining members of the "Doves." We did it the Traditional Way by setting up our own tipi having a feast and a give-away for this great honor bestowed upon us. After the ceremony we were told we could dance any time, anywhere, because we were "Doves."

We, as a dance troupe, are intent upon showing the beautiful side of our culture to non-Inidain people and other tribes. We have traveled far and wide to large celebrations and small ones and have accumulated quit a large selection of trophies for singing and dancing. We travel as self-appointed goodwill ambassadors for the Blackfeet Nation.

We are quite proud of these young people for their accomplishments and the interests they have shown of learning their Blackfeet culture. As they grow older I know they will continue to hold onto and cherish that which is left of their heritage, and I know they will in turn teach their children our Indian ways.

I chose the name Young Grey Horse Society because I felt I was entitled to it. Both my grandfather and great-grandfather were members of this society and also because I know the song. I wanted to re-establish the once proud and honored name of the Grey Horse Society, to carry on where they left off and for the Blackfeet Nation to once again hear of the "Young Grey Horse Society."

-- Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Bear Medicine and the Young Grey Horse Society, 1976.

Editor's note: The group Wayne Bear Medicine founded in the 1970's traveled to many pow-wows in the U.S. and in Canada gaining recognition, respect and friends. He diligently took on this task and carried forth the effort until he passed away in the summer of 1995. Before his passing, he often encouraged his family and grandchildren to help out whenever called upon for singing. In 1995 at the Heart Butte pow-wow, his grandchildren honored his request by continuing their singing. The present day group consists of children from the original singing group; and cousins of the family. This newest incarnation, known as Young Grey Horse, is rapidly gaining notoriety for their unique singing talents and their strong commitment to carry on the wishes of Wayne Bear Medicine.