White Shield receives new historical markers for Old Scouts cemetery and Larry Echo Hawk, assistant secretary receives Arikara name

After many months of work, Austin Gillette, post historian completed Old Scout Memorial Markers for the cemetery west of White Shield and they were presented to the community on Memorial Day May 30.  These are temporary markers, new ones will replace them in a few months. 

The first marker tells of the Sahnish, “The People”, and the Creation Story.  The story was told to Melvin Gilmore in 1924 at Nishu, ND and is an important part of the Sahnish oral history of the tribe.

The second marker is of the U.S. Scouts, the Ree Scouts and tells the history of service for the United States Army of the Sahnish (Arikara) scouts.  The Indian Scout Enlistment Act of July 28, 1866 authorized the President to enlist and employ Indian Scouts.

The Sahnish men honorably served as Army Scouts from 1868 to 1883.  They did so to protect the Sahnish Nation and abide by Treaties made with the United States to maintain peace between both nations.

As scouts they participated in the Battle of the Little Big Horn.  The story of that battled was written by O. G. Libby in 1920 in a book called the Arikara Narratives.

The third marker is a roster of the scouts at the Battle of the Little Big Horn, June 25, 1876.  There is also a list of the Sahnish who served as scouts from 1868 through 1883.

The fourth marker is about the Joseph Young Hawk/Elmer Bear American Legion Post 253.  It was chartered 1934 through 1955 as Joseph Young Hawk Post # 253 in memory of Joseph Young Hawk (Fierce Snake) WWI Veteran.

It was re-chartered 1957 to present as Joseph Young Hawk/Elmer Bear (Star Chief) Post 253.

Photos of the celebration are included.

The fifth marker is of military service of the Sahnish scouts and tells the wars the men and women fought in.  The Arikara Flag Song is the song sung throughout Indian country, the marker says.

Following the dedication of the markers, the ceremony moved to the Ralph Wells Complex where Assistant Secretary Larry Echo Hawk was honored along with Arnie Harvelka, 6^th District Commander and Jerry Samuelson, North Dakota State Commander.

 Echo Hawk was the speaker for the event followed by a naming ceremony.  Alfred Morsette Jr., gave Echo Hawk the Arikara name “First Chief” followed by an honor dance.  He was given star quilts and a war bonnet by White Shield.  He was also given a star quilt by Loretta Bear.  Her brother, Bobby Bear is the traditional chief of the Sahnish.  He is in poor but attended the ceremony.  

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