I grew up not far from Valentine, Nebraska – just a hop and a skip from the Rosebud Reservation. A number of famous tribal leaders had lived there. During the war, we raised Brahma cattle (They were drought resistant) and sold them to the Army for meat for the mess halls. Because gas was rationed, we didn’t put the cattle into a truck and transport them to the Army depot that way. Instead, we trail herded the cattle from our place to the Army depot. We hired boys from the Reservation to help us herd the cattle. Because gas was rationed, we didn’t worry much about running into any cars on the road – which were all dirt roads. So when we played Cowboys and Indians – we usually played at herding cattle. We rode stick horses, which had been personally whittled by my grandfather. Our “guns” had also been whittled out of wood. In those days, they were happy to tell you that they were AMERICAN Indians – a number of them had been in the service and were proud of their military records. During those days, President Roosevelt wrote personal letters to all the farmers and ranchers in the country, thanking them for the part they were playing in helping to win the war. According to historians, he PERSONALLY signed every letter himself! We still have the copy he sent to our Dad.
snsurone76 29 days ago
On TV Westerns, there have been numerous examples of Native Americans taking on white men’s jobs—even in law enforcement!
Calvinist1966 29 days ago
By 1950s attitudes, Nancy seems to be a half-breed.
The Orange Mailman 29 days ago
Pocahontas or Calamity Jane?
jrankin1959 29 days ago
Try a Native American scout for the Cavalry – you get both!
Searcy9320 29 days ago
Now Nancy has an idea how Tonto felt at times.
brklnbern 28 days ago
Most kids say cowboys and Indians.
mistercatworks 28 days ago
“Half-breed” (sorry if that’s no longer politically correct)
razzledazzle295 28 days ago
These kids and their westerns.
anncorr339 28 days ago
Nancy wants to be both
dlestersprint0 28 days ago
The different nations have their individual police departments.
LoisG Premium Member 27 days ago
I grew up not far from Valentine, Nebraska – just a hop and a skip from the Rosebud Reservation. A number of famous tribal leaders had lived there. During the war, we raised Brahma cattle (They were drought resistant) and sold them to the Army for meat for the mess halls. Because gas was rationed, we didn’t put the cattle into a truck and transport them to the Army depot that way. Instead, we trail herded the cattle from our place to the Army depot. We hired boys from the Reservation to help us herd the cattle. Because gas was rationed, we didn’t worry much about running into any cars on the road – which were all dirt roads. So when we played Cowboys and Indians – we usually played at herding cattle. We rode stick horses, which had been personally whittled by my grandfather. Our “guns” had also been whittled out of wood. In those days, they were happy to tell you that they were AMERICAN Indians – a number of them had been in the service and were proud of their military records. During those days, President Roosevelt wrote personal letters to all the farmers and ranchers in the country, thanking them for the part they were playing in helping to win the war. According to historians, he PERSONALLY signed every letter himself! We still have the copy he sent to our Dad.