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I created this page to share the memory of my grandfather with others. ~ Lisa Fretwell ~ Fretwell Flutes

My grandfather devoted his time on this earth to the re-education of the general public. During my grandfather's lifetime, the history of the Native American Tribes was very distorted. The history books and the movies implied that the "Indians" were not human beings. They represented them in movies as savages and never told the real stories. My grandfather traveled to Schools, Groups, and anywhere that would have him speak. He did this, so that the history of the American Indian, would be told from the American Indian perspective. He set-up a display in shopping malls. He took his traveling museum of artifacts all over. Starting in 1968, he rode in the Tournament of Roses Parade in California for many years. He was the first Native American to participate in the Tournament of Roses parade since 1904. He rode in the Parada-Del-Sol in Scottsdale, AZ for many years

My grandfather was Whabnee Taco Nah-Koo.

He was adopted into the Assiniboin Tribe of the Fort Peck Reservation at Wolf Point Montana.

This is an excerp from a letter that my grandfather wrote to his cousin. He had not spoken to him in many years. In it my grandfather tries to explain to his cousin (at his cousin's level of understanding) what had taken place in my grandfather's life.

...Excerp from a letter written by Chief Eagle Friend to his cousin dated 12-31-66

QUOTE

"Received your nice card and the note. Yes, I've become an Indian. I am a full member of the Assiniboin tribe of the Fort Peck Reservation at Wolf Point Montana and a year ago was given the highest honor that an Indian can hope for. I was made a Chief and a very impresssive ceremony was held in my honor. The tails of feathers were given me to wear and in the presence of 600 Indian and Whites was given the name of "Friend of Eagle" The respect, which I enjoy from Indian and Whites which were present made me feel very proud indeed. I'm sure you're wondering why or how this honor was bestowed on me.

Quite some time ago I began speaking to schools, girl scout groups and other clubs on Indian lore and custom.

I was invited to join a dancing group of 55 Indian dancers from various tribes of the Plains group. After performing with this group, we had a visit from two old people from the Assiniboins, Chief First to Fly and an Old Medicine Man Al First to Sound. I soon became very close to them and after they found I was actually white, they ask me, and since the medicine man was present, if I would like to become one of them, naturally I was honored and accepted.

After about 4 months of increased speaking activities trying to further the Indian Cause, I was approached with the idea of being made a Chief. You can well imagine my feeling of pride, so the ceremony was planed, the feathers which I wear represent deed's of honor.

Recently I've been visiting childrens wards at hospitals and people who are confined " in full dress, of course". My lodge (tipi) is very nice, but as yet has not been blessed, the symbols which are on the tipi, have to be blessed in a ceremony before the lodge can be shown to the public. This will be done in Feb. I also have a tape recording of this ceremony...

My people, the assiniboin tribe are making me a bonnett now of all Eagle feather, (tail feathers). They have had to go all the way into Canada to get them. As you know our government says it is unlawful to own the eagle feathers, except in cases such as this so I am now looking forward to getting it. The one I wear is also Ealge but was not made by my people, even though it was placed on my head by the old medicine man and the oldest Chief of the Assiniboin in a most impressive cermony."

END QUOTE

Joshua Wetsit (Chief First to Fly) Wolf Point Montana