Crazy Bear (Assiniboine chief)
He had three granddaughters; Iron Cradle (aka Sweet Grass), Turtle Door, Small Earth, and two grandsons; Black Bull and Kill Eagle.
These factors, together with European diseases and the pushing of alcohol upon the Native peoples, adversely impacted the survival of indigenous youth.
In a battle between the Assiniboine and the Gros Ventre, Crazy Bear fought desperately to protect the women and children of the camp.
Charles Larpenteur of the AFC wrote in his journal in 1842 about another competing fur company's attempt to bribe Crazy Bear into switching affiliations.
He wrote, "Mr. Cotton [an agent from Fort William] invited him into his room and made him a great speech, dressed him up in a splendid military suit, such as had never been brought into the country before, and then laid a two gallon keg of whiskey at his feet.
Crazy Bear's band was at Union, waiting for his return; but, instead of going directly to them, he went into Mr. Culberson (the AFC agent)'s private room, not very drunk, took a seat, and remained some time without saying a word.
When this performance was over, he said to Mr. Culbertson, who stood in great astonishment, 'Take away all these things and give me such as you see fit, and don't think I am a child who can be seduced with trinkets.'
The tribes invited included the Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Crow, Assiniboine, Mandan, Gros Ventre, Arikaree, and Shoshone.
Besides the road to Laramie being up on the Yellowstone in the summer, when that river is literally stocked with Blackfoot war parties, their deadly enemies, did not bode well for their safe arrival.
The trip was one of extreme danger to all concerned, and nothing but the good council and great exertions of the above named gentleman induced the Indians to undertake it.
The officials who had expected only the leadership of the various tribes to arrive were astounded as the total number of attendees reached an estimated twelve thousand.
The treaty required the cessation of all hostilities between individual tribes and white settlers, determined specific territories for each Indian nation, and guaranteed annuity payments from the U.S. government for fifty years.
The tribes guaranteed safe passage for white settlers traveling the various western trails and agreed to the establishment of U.S. Army forts.
The U.S. government's attitude on the treaty and their failure to abide by it is illustrated in the Commissioner of Indian Affairs Annual Report of 1852 wherein Commissioner Lea states, "It is therefore, no matter of regret or reproach that so large a portion of our territory has been wrested from its aboriginal inhabitants and made the happy abodes of an enlightened and Christian people" and "much of the injury of which the red men and his complaints has been the inevitable consequence of his own perverse and vicious nature.
"[6] As a result of the U.S. government not being timely in the first annual annuities and goods promised, Crazy Bear was ridiculed and demeaned by his people.
However, when the gentleman above named (Culbertson) came and issued out ten thousand dollars worth of goods as the governments presents for the first year, the Indians were struck dumb and those who before reproached now flattered their ruler.
As a result of his family tragedy, Crazy Bear took responsibility for and raised his granddaughter Sweet Grass (Iron Cradle).
He is somewhat more elevated in his opinions than most of his people, but does not rank so high as a warrior as some, though he has on occasions shown an utter contempt of danger before his enemies.
Even when a very young man he had a voice in council, respect was paid to his opinions, and he now conducts the affairs of the nation with great credit to himself and satisfaction of his followers.
