Counting Coup

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Imagine a Crow Indian elder, his wise eyes meeting yours in the flickering firelight, sharing mesmerizing stories from Custer to World War II and beyond. Over 90 years old, he is the last traditional chief of his people, yet he lectures at colleges and addresses the United Nations on peace. This is the remarkable life of Joseph Medicine Crow, born as Winter Man and trained as a warrior by his grandfather, Yellowtail. He undergoes the intense "counting coup" ceremony, facing fierce combat against a Sioux boy. A hospital operation forces him to confront his deepest fears: a Sioux, a ghost, and a white man. Excelling in the white man's school and raised in the Baptist faith, he becomes a vital link to the ancient traditions of the pre-reservation generation, translating the stories of elder chiefs. His own dramatic and humorous tales, rich with Crow legends, are passed down through storytelling. Joseph's pursuit of a doctorate was interrupted by World War II, where he earned the status of War Chief by completing the four war deeds of the Crow warrior on the battlefields of Germany. In 1948, he was appointed the Tribal Historian and Anthropologist by the Crow Tribal Council. This vibrant adventure narrative brings Native American history and culture to life, illuminating the challenges faced by the Crow people amidst profound change. Joseph Medicine Crow's story and its lessons are a vital legacy for all.