Yellowtail, Robert, 1919-1982

Premier Crow political leader of the 20th cent. Born Aug. 4, 1889 by his own account, 1887 by church records. Educated on the Crow Reservation, at the Sherman Institute, Riverside, CA, and at the Extension Law School, Los Angeles. His foremost interest was Indian law and he was involved for life in politics on/off the reservation. He was among the first generation of educated Crows who together with the last of the chiefs dealt with the federal govt. 1934-1945, served as superintendent of the Crow reservation. Elected Tribal Council Chairman in 1952 and opposed construction of the dam on the Big Horn River that was eventually named Yellowtail Dam. Continued political involvement while ranching to the end of his life, July, 1988.