Article about my Grandfather-Tribal leader rubbed elbows with elite

[Wetzelbill]

My grandfather was a remarkable man and this article only touches on a bit of his life. He died Sunday morning in his sleep, and this article came out before then. Hope you all like it.-Bill

Tribal leader rubbed elbows with elite

BY SHAWN WHITE WOLF - IR Staff Writer - 11/03/03

Walter "Blackie" Wetzel learned early on that in order to achieve the success he wanted for his people, he would need to use every bit of political power he had — at home and in Washington, D.C.

In the 1950s and '60s, Wetzel, at the height of his political career, was the chairman of the Blackfeet Nation and president of the National Congress of American Indians.

Born in 1915, Wetzel grew up on the Blackfeet Reservation.

Early on, Chief White Calf gave Wetzel a right of passage of the chieftainship of the Blackfeet Nation.

"I am still a chief today," Wetzel said Friday afternoon from his Helena home

http://www.helenair.com/articles/2003/11/03/top/a01110303_01.txt

[shirlden]

1. Great story

Any connection to the early Va./Pa frontier family by the name of Wetzel?

:kick:

[Wetzelbill]

2. we did come from around there I think

I believe my great-great grandfather was from Pennslyvania. I'm reading the text of some interview my grandfather did, and I seem to remember he mentioned that. I know West Virgina and around that area has a bunch of Wetzel's too. I really need to get up on my geneology on both sides of my family.

[shirlden]

3. There is a Wetzel County W. Va

You should check into your family line. The Wetzels are quite a famous frontier family. I have run across them many times in my studies of American History. A couple of books written about Lewis Wetzel, I believe.

[Wetzelbill]

4. yeah my little brother is into Lewis Wetzel

I've checked up a little on him, but I'd like to read one of the books. Been meaning to, it's just that I read so much and I know I'll never get to everything I should. I'll get around to reading about him though. For sure.

[KoKo]

5. Thanks for sharing that, he was an interesting man who lived a full life,

sorry to hear he passed on. It's also interesting about the Logo for the Washington Redskins. It's odd how something that cwas seen as a symbol of pride for one generation can change many years later and be seen as derision.

I remember all the flak about the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Redskins just a couple of years ago, and yet your Grandfather was so proud that there was an Indian Chief on the helmuts of the Redskins. I'm glad he didn't have to live to see it someday changed and could still remember it with pride.

[preciousdove]

6. On the shoulders of Giants.

Sorry for your loss. It is good that his legacy will live on through the respect of his grandchildren.

[Wetzelbill]

7. Thank you all, I'll be heading to the funeral in MT today