Indians of North America -- Great Plains Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Date:
1936
Biographical / Historical:
A biographical sketch of James White Calf submitted in January, 1949 by Mr Ewers: "James White Calf, full blood Piegan, older brother of Two Guns White Calf, and son of White Calf, the last principal chief of the south Piegan. The elder White Calf died in Washington, D.C. in 1903. "James White Calf went on horse stealing raids in his youth and counted coup. He was still living on the Blackfoot reservation, Montana in 1947. According to the Blackfoot reservation census of December 31, 1939, he was then 76 years of age. "In the 1940's James White Calf owned the yellow buffalo lodge, one of the oldest and probably the handsomest of the Blackfoot painted tipis."
Note from Mr John C. Ewers 4-27-53. These photos are definitely representations of James White Calf, son of White Calf, last recognized chief of the Blackfoot (Piegan) in Montana. According to the Blackfeet Reservation Census of 1908, James was then 44 years of age. That census records his father's name - White Calf; his mother's - Black Snake. I do not know whether or not he was the grandson of Big Snake, although it is probable, since my Indian informants stated that his father married 2 of Big Snake's daughters. However, one informant claimed James was the son of White Calf by still another wife. James White Calf was still living in 1951 on the Blackfeet Reservation. I saw him that summer. He was then one of the last surviving Piegan men who had taken part in intertribal warfare (ie. horse raids). His brother was Two Guns White Calf, now dead, a very picturesque Indian. You have photos of him also.
Local Numbers:
NAA INV.9212900
OPPS NEG.423 C 2
Local Note:
These photographs were originally identified as follows: "Sh-ko'-i-na-max'ha - Last Gun Chief. Known to the Whites as White Calf. Grandson of the famous chief Big Snake."These photographs were identified by J.C. Ewers (4-27-53) as being "definitely representations of James White Calf."
