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My Life as an Indian
In this fascinating memoir, first published as a book in 1907, the author recalls the remarkable story of his journey westward as a young man to the Montana Territory. Traveling in the days before railroads crossed the continent, he sought wild life and adventure and found both among the Piegan Blackfeet.
As a welcome guest of the Indians, J. W. Schultz took part in almost every aspect of tribal life, enabling him to write vivid and dramatic descriptions of buffalo hunts, war parties, daring raids on enemy quarters, and other adventures; but he also paints a detailed picture of the quieter side of life in the vast encampments of lodges that dotted the religious ceremonies and customs, child-rearing, food preparation, burial practices, tales told around the campfire, and much else.
The author’s sensitive commentary testifies to his deep love and affection for the people with whom he lived, among them Nät-ah’-ki, the young and beautiful Blackfoot girl who became his wife; Ashton, an Easterner with a secret sorrow; Diana, an orphaned Indian girl, who, as Ashton’s loving ward, received a proper education but met a tragic death; and Berry, a tall, fearless Indian trader of mixed blood who became the author’s long-time friend.
Spanning a period in American history that saw the Indian way of life dwindle to near extinction, this extraordinary firsthand account of a white man’s experiences in the word of the Plains Indian will not only captivate general readers but will also appeal to ethnologists and students of Native American life and culture. A new Introduction by Hugh A. Dempsey, Chief Curator Emeritus, Glenbow Museum, Calgary, Alberta, provides biographical information on the author and traces the book’s publishing history and cultural impact.
As a welcome guest of the Indians, J. W. Schultz took part in almost every aspect of tribal life, enabling him to write vivid and dramatic descriptions of buffalo hunts, war parties, daring raids on enemy quarters, and other adventures; but he also paints a detailed picture of the quieter side of life in the vast encampments of lodges that dotted the religious ceremonies and customs, child-rearing, food preparation, burial practices, tales told around the campfire, and much else.
The author’s sensitive commentary testifies to his deep love and affection for the people with whom he lived, among them Nät-ah’-ki, the young and beautiful Blackfoot girl who became his wife; Ashton, an Easterner with a secret sorrow; Diana, an orphaned Indian girl, who, as Ashton’s loving ward, received a proper education but met a tragic death; and Berry, a tall, fearless Indian trader of mixed blood who became the author’s long-time friend.
Spanning a period in American history that saw the Indian way of life dwindle to near extinction, this extraordinary firsthand account of a white man’s experiences in the word of the Plains Indian will not only captivate general readers but will also appeal to ethnologists and students of Native American life and culture. A new Introduction by Hugh A. Dempsey, Chief Curator Emeritus, Glenbow Museum, Calgary, Alberta, provides biographical information on the author and traces the book’s publishing history and cultural impact.
336 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 1905
516 people are currently reading
808 people want to read
About the author
James Willard Schultz
117 books30 followersJames Willard Schultz, or Apikuni, (born August 26, 1859, died June 11, 1947) was a noted author, explorer, Glacier National Park guide, fur trader and historian of the Blackfoot Indians.
James Willard Schultz (J.W. Schultz) started writing at the age of 21, publishing articles and stories in Forest and Stream for 15 years. He did not write his first book until 1907 at age 48. The memoir: ''My Life as an Indian tells the story of his first year living with the Pikuni tribe of Blackfeet Indians East of Glacier. In 1911, he associated himself with publishers Houghton Mifflin who published Schultz's subsequent books for the next 30 years. In all, Schultz wrote and published 37 fiction and non-fiction books dealing with the Blackfoot, Kootenai, and Flathead Indians. His works received critical literary acclaim from the general media as well as academia for his story telling and contributions to ethnology. Sometime after 1902, while living in Southern California, Schultz worked for a while as the literary editor of the Los Angeles Times.
James Willard Schultz (J.W. Schultz) started writing at the age of 21, publishing articles and stories in Forest and Stream for 15 years. He did not write his first book until 1907 at age 48. The memoir: ''My Life as an Indian tells the story of his first year living with the Pikuni tribe of Blackfeet Indians East of Glacier. In 1911, he associated himself with publishers Houghton Mifflin who published Schultz's subsequent books for the next 30 years. In all, Schultz wrote and published 37 fiction and non-fiction books dealing with the Blackfoot, Kootenai, and Flathead Indians. His works received critical literary acclaim from the general media as well as academia for his story telling and contributions to ethnology. Sometime after 1902, while living in Southern California, Schultz worked for a while as the literary editor of the Los Angeles Times.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
December 12, 2017
This book is the literary equivalent of the Taj Mahal; it was written as a memorial to the author’s beloved wife. The original title was “My Life as an Indian, the Story of a Red Woman and a White Man in the Lodges of the Blackfeet”, which seems much more appropriate knowing the reason for which it was written. After the first few introductory chapters, the author and his wife become an inseparable couple who share their adventures throughout the rest of the book. As the introduction forewarns, however, the ending is not a happy one. It was only after his wife’s death that the author began writing about her and the time they had together.
I could tell, especially towards the end, that the author was also trying to set straight some of the politically-correct “history” that had then been propagated concerning the conflict between the red and white men over the plains of Montana. Throughout this book, the author points out the good and the evil of both peoples. He contrasted the greedy Blackfoot warriors who were cruel to their wives, as well as the Blackfoot husbands who honored and loved their women. He told of his own adventures with wicked tribesmen, as well as his many deep, lasting friendships with others from those same tribes. From his perspective he also explained the corrupt politics of the government agents that caused so many Blackfoot men, women, and children to starve once they were placed on their “reservation”. He also tells of the greed of the cattle-ranchers who took so much from the native Americans by riding the coattails of government conquest.
I only give five stars to books that I would actively recommend to friends as something they must read. That being said, I would select this book not only as a must-read, but I would want to give it as a wedding gift to any young couple instead of giving one of those silly marriage books that most people think will help their marriage. Here is a story that can’t be argued against, because we know how well it ended. Here is a story that cannot be twisted, as so many of those marriage books get twisted, because it is written not as an instruction manual for couples, but as an example of two lovers who did marriage well. Within this tale are also many illustrations of human nature, both good and bad, as the author interacted with the Native Americans and the European settlers on the plains of Montana. There is a lot of wisdom in here, hidden in the guise of good storytelling and exciting adventures.
I must add that, though this book was written more than a hundred years ago, it is still incredibly relevant to today’s “sophisticated” readers. Humans are humans, whether they are living in a tent on the untamed prairie or in a metropolitan penthouse. Women still argue when they live together (I’ve learned this first-hand). Men still seek adventure and conquest in untamed lands (only now it’s usually digital). Wives will still be made to feel inferior, insecure, and unattractive; a husband still needs to spend time with his woman, to communicate with them, and to let them know that they are still the “pretty woman” in his life. And marriage is still not about legal documents or sacred vows; it is still the commitment each makes to themselves to remain at their lover’s side through thick and thin, until death separates.
I could tell, especially towards the end, that the author was also trying to set straight some of the politically-correct “history” that had then been propagated concerning the conflict between the red and white men over the plains of Montana. Throughout this book, the author points out the good and the evil of both peoples. He contrasted the greedy Blackfoot warriors who were cruel to their wives, as well as the Blackfoot husbands who honored and loved their women. He told of his own adventures with wicked tribesmen, as well as his many deep, lasting friendships with others from those same tribes. From his perspective he also explained the corrupt politics of the government agents that caused so many Blackfoot men, women, and children to starve once they were placed on their “reservation”. He also tells of the greed of the cattle-ranchers who took so much from the native Americans by riding the coattails of government conquest.
I only give five stars to books that I would actively recommend to friends as something they must read. That being said, I would select this book not only as a must-read, but I would want to give it as a wedding gift to any young couple instead of giving one of those silly marriage books that most people think will help their marriage. Here is a story that can’t be argued against, because we know how well it ended. Here is a story that cannot be twisted, as so many of those marriage books get twisted, because it is written not as an instruction manual for couples, but as an example of two lovers who did marriage well. Within this tale are also many illustrations of human nature, both good and bad, as the author interacted with the Native Americans and the European settlers on the plains of Montana. There is a lot of wisdom in here, hidden in the guise of good storytelling and exciting adventures.
I must add that, though this book was written more than a hundred years ago, it is still incredibly relevant to today’s “sophisticated” readers. Humans are humans, whether they are living in a tent on the untamed prairie or in a metropolitan penthouse. Women still argue when they live together (I’ve learned this first-hand). Men still seek adventure and conquest in untamed lands (only now it’s usually digital). Wives will still be made to feel inferior, insecure, and unattractive; a husband still needs to spend time with his woman, to communicate with them, and to let them know that they are still the “pretty woman” in his life. And marriage is still not about legal documents or sacred vows; it is still the commitment each makes to themselves to remain at their lover’s side through thick and thin, until death separates.
December 30, 2017
Fascinating memoirs of a white man who lived among the Piegan Blackfeet native tribe. The book is a well-written easy read, I was surprising to discover, in a book first published in 1907, a narrative so direct and fluid, devoid of old-fashion jargon.
The exciting adventures of the protagonist as a young man have an underlining of sadness for the fate of the natives, which have lost their land and quite often their life to the white man. At times Shultz seemed to me a bit of a hypocrite, ready to distantiate himself from most of the blame for his past as trader (he freely admits taking advantage of the natives’ ignorance), by pointing to the US government officials and other parties as the worst offenders.
In general, despite his assurances, I didn’t develop a high opinion of Shultz as a person, he was prepared to However, I believe that his regrets and love of the native people were genuine.
I found many of the episodes in his retelling touching and moving, for instance the story of the Crow woman , the one of the old man from Kutenai tribe , the snake woman’s and the romantic No-heart. But the best and the most heart-rending was the story of The Lark (wife of gambling Fisher). A very enjoyable read, informative about native customs and culture. Highly recommended.
Fav. Quotes:
“What manner of men were those soldiers who deliberately shot down defenceless women and innocent children?” They had not even the excuse of being drunk; nor was their commanding officer intoxicated; nor were they excited, or in any danger whatever. Deliberately, coolly, with steady and deadly aim, they shot them down, killed the wounded, and then tried to burn the bodies of their victims. But I will say no more about it; think it over yourself and try to find a fit name for men who did this.
It was not allowable for a Blackfoot to meet his mother-in-law. I fancy that there are many white men who would rejoice if such a custom prevailed in civilised society. Among the Blackfeet a man could never visit the lodge of his mother-in-law, she could not enter his lodge when he was at home, both were obliged to go far out of the way, to endure any discomfort, in order to avoid meeting at any time and place.
The exciting adventures of the protagonist as a young man have an underlining of sadness for the fate of the natives, which have lost their land and quite often their life to the white man. At times Shultz seemed to me a bit of a hypocrite, ready to distantiate himself from most of the blame for his past as trader (he freely admits taking advantage of the natives’ ignorance), by pointing to the US government officials and other parties as the worst offenders.
In general, despite his assurances, I didn’t develop a high opinion of Shultz as a person, he was prepared to However, I believe that his regrets and love of the native people were genuine.
I found many of the episodes in his retelling touching and moving, for instance the story of the Crow woman , the one of the old man from Kutenai tribe , the snake woman’s and the romantic No-heart. But the best and the most heart-rending was the story of The Lark (wife of gambling Fisher). A very enjoyable read, informative about native customs and culture. Highly recommended.
Fav. Quotes:
“What manner of men were those soldiers who deliberately shot down defenceless women and innocent children?” They had not even the excuse of being drunk; nor was their commanding officer intoxicated; nor were they excited, or in any danger whatever. Deliberately, coolly, with steady and deadly aim, they shot them down, killed the wounded, and then tried to burn the bodies of their victims. But I will say no more about it; think it over yourself and try to find a fit name for men who did this.
It was not allowable for a Blackfoot to meet his mother-in-law. I fancy that there are many white men who would rejoice if such a custom prevailed in civilised society. Among the Blackfeet a man could never visit the lodge of his mother-in-law, she could not enter his lodge when he was at home, both were obliged to go far out of the way, to endure any discomfort, in order to avoid meeting at any time and place.
December 12, 2017
I enjoyed this book, written sort of like a journal with every chapter a story in itself yet sequenced. About life among the Blackfoot, Piegan on the plains and eastern part of the Rockies in Montana and southern Canada. Very similar happenings to many of the plains Indians toward the end of the Buffalo. The abundance of game and buffalo up till the extermination of them and also the changes with trade, reservations, Indian agents that were crooked, and the end of a free life style. Great story telling of his experiences.
February 11, 2018
First, a little story about why I read this book. I was visiting tribal colleges for my work, and last August, I visited Blackfeet Community College in Browning, Montana. I was getting some mementos and give-aways at the campus store, and I saw all these books about Blackfeet history and language. I asked the teacher who was with me if she could recommend a book. She was very excited to talk about the books, and this is the book she said I should read. She said this is the book that is given at the BCC to incoming students because it is a light, adventurous read.
I have read it, and I can attest that it is indeed an adventurous read. It is also very entertaining and fast, despite being over 400 pages long. I took much longer than most people will need to read it because I've had other issues come up. Partly, I am using the memoir as research for a book that I am writing, which is why I have cataloged it under "research."
"My thoughts are always of those days; days before the accursed railroads and the hordes of settlers they brought swept us all, Indians and frontiersman and buffalo, from the face of the earth, so to speak."
My Life as an Indian is an autobiographical memoir by J.W. Schultz, who published many books about his time with the Blackfeet in Montana. It begins with Schultz as a young boy who always wanted to "go west" and ends with him a married man who has lived to see the loss of bison and the coming of railroads.
Schultz gives a very personal account of his life on the plains as a trader, trapper, hunter, and even farmer. He talks of the many Blackfeet he met, including his future wife, Nat-ah-ki. His descriptions show the differences between the cultures, such as burial rites and marriage, but the memoir is at its best when it is humanizing the people he lives among. When he published this in 1906, I can only guess at home highly stereotyped were white people's perceptions of the Blackfeet. But this book is full of very three-dimensional people who suffer the same ups and downs as all peoples. They fall in and out of love, they suffer jealousy, rage, they are prejudiced, they are fearful, and they are also hopeful and accommodating. They mourn the loss of loved ones. They take care of friends and family.
There is a horribly tragic love triangle, almost Shakespearean in its telling, which really stuck out for me. There is also the beautiful love and deep sadness of the two central characters, the author and his wife.
I look forward to reading more books by J.W. Schultz and highly recommend the book to anyone who wants to learn more about the Blackfeet of the 1800s.
I have read it, and I can attest that it is indeed an adventurous read. It is also very entertaining and fast, despite being over 400 pages long. I took much longer than most people will need to read it because I've had other issues come up. Partly, I am using the memoir as research for a book that I am writing, which is why I have cataloged it under "research."
"My thoughts are always of those days; days before the accursed railroads and the hordes of settlers they brought swept us all, Indians and frontiersman and buffalo, from the face of the earth, so to speak."
My Life as an Indian is an autobiographical memoir by J.W. Schultz, who published many books about his time with the Blackfeet in Montana. It begins with Schultz as a young boy who always wanted to "go west" and ends with him a married man who has lived to see the loss of bison and the coming of railroads.
Schultz gives a very personal account of his life on the plains as a trader, trapper, hunter, and even farmer. He talks of the many Blackfeet he met, including his future wife, Nat-ah-ki. His descriptions show the differences between the cultures, such as burial rites and marriage, but the memoir is at its best when it is humanizing the people he lives among. When he published this in 1906, I can only guess at home highly stereotyped were white people's perceptions of the Blackfeet. But this book is full of very three-dimensional people who suffer the same ups and downs as all peoples. They fall in and out of love, they suffer jealousy, rage, they are prejudiced, they are fearful, and they are also hopeful and accommodating. They mourn the loss of loved ones. They take care of friends and family.
There is a horribly tragic love triangle, almost Shakespearean in its telling, which really stuck out for me. There is also the beautiful love and deep sadness of the two central characters, the author and his wife.
I look forward to reading more books by J.W. Schultz and highly recommend the book to anyone who wants to learn more about the Blackfeet of the 1800s.
December 12, 2017
I loved this book, which is the true story of a young man who goes west to the Montana territory from New England in 1880. He meets up with a trader and spends a year among various Indian tribes, notably the Blackfeet and the Piegan. He makes a number of Indian friends, lives with the Indians, hunts with them, engages in war raids and defending against raids by others, lives a nomadic life, and over time shifts his thinking and worldview. He loses all faith in religion, and when he returns home to the States he finds he is no longer happy and comfortable there. Although this book doesn't document his entire life, it gives an account of the time period where traders had not been long in Indian territory, and when the white man began to wipe out the great herds of buffalo. The author was present for the downfall of the way of life of the Indians, and tells of what changes he saw first hand.
Another fascinating part of the book is the relating of many tales of Indian life from long ago, as told to the author by Indians he knew. These stories are preserved in this book and would otherwise be long lost - and many a good tale there is.
This was an easy and interesting read, and I will go on to read everything else written by this author, as he offers us insights into a lost time and way of life.
Another fascinating part of the book is the relating of many tales of Indian life from long ago, as told to the author by Indians he knew. These stories are preserved in this book and would otherwise be long lost - and many a good tale there is.
This was an easy and interesting read, and I will go on to read everything else written by this author, as he offers us insights into a lost time and way of life.
December 12, 2017
Going in to this book I wasn't expecting too much, but I was pleasantly surprised. Seeing as it was published in 1907 I thought the language might be old fashioned but it was really well written. It tells the story of Schultz's life with the Indians of Montana in the late 1800's. There is lots of hunting, inter-tribal fighting, travel and every day life. It covers the coming of settlers from "the States" and also the decline of the bison. Hugely interesting! If I had any minor criticisms it would be the lack of dates and the lack of a map, but both are minor complaints.
December 12, 2017
Taking place during the dying days of a way of life, this true tale is about as beautiful a love story as you'll ever read.
September 20, 2016
Ότι γνωρίζουμε για τους Ινδιάνους, είναι από τις ταινίες γουέστερν. �� ταινίες, ανάλογα με τον σκηνοθέτη και τον σεναριογράφο, αλλά και τον σκοπό που θέλουν να επιτύχουν μας έχουν δώσει μια εικόνα που άλλες φορές αναπαράγει προκαταλήψεις των λευκών για τους Ινδιάνους κι άλλες φορές είναι αντικειμενική. Αν, όμως, θέλεις πραγματικά να γνωρίσεις τη ζωή των Ινδιάνων, τότε πρέπει να διαβάσεις αυτό το βιβλίο που γράφτηκε από έναν άνθρωπο που έζησε ανάμεσα τους, παντρεύτηκε Ινδιάνα γυναίκα κι εν τέλει αν και λευκός έγινε Ινδιάνος. Εδώ θα μάθετε για τον τρόπο ζωής τους, τα ήθη τα έθιμά τους, αλλά και διάφορες από τις αφηγήσεις τους. Εντυπωσιάστηκα πραγματικά από τον απλό αλλά γεμάτο σοφία τρόπο που αντιλαμβάνονται τον κόσμο. Μια αντίληψη που αντανακλά έναν λαό που έζησε κοντά στην άγρια φύση και αποτέλεσε στοιχείο της. Αυτό όμως που εντυπωσιάζει περισσότερο είναι το πόσο μοιάζουμε όλοι ανεξαρτήτως χρώματος και φυλής. Είναι επίσης θλιβερό να αντιλαμβάνεσαι ότι ο "πολιτισμένος" λευκός μέσα στην άγνοιά του και την απληστία του δημιούργησε μια εικόνα για τους Ινδιάνους που δεν ανταποκρίνεται στην πραγματικότητα. Επίσης θα συγκλονιστείτε από τις μεθόδους που ακολούθησαν οι λευκοί για να πάρουν τη γη των Ινδιάνων και να τους οδηγήσουν στον αφανισμό. Είναι μέθοδοι που θέλοντας και μη μου φέρνουν στο μυαλό αυτός που χρησιμοποιούνται σήμερα από τους Ευρωπαίους εταίρους στην χώρα μου.
December 15, 2015
Nice cover and good text. Some limitations on the content because this is history from many years before present. I enjoyed the writers' efforts. Many interesting adventures and facts about the culture of the plains tribes.
February 8, 2018
A story well told
Its a simple story of a simpler time. While I think there is quite a bit revealed of these people and the extraordinary time in which they lived there is much that is glossed over as well. Take it as a great tale and give it the the balance of your own judgement.
Its a simple story of a simpler time. While I think there is quite a bit revealed of these people and the extraordinary time in which they lived there is much that is glossed over as well. Take it as a great tale and give it the the balance of your own judgement.
December 12, 2017
read it several times and absolutely loved it!
July 7, 2022
Good perspective
Straight forward account by an unbiased person who lived with Native Americans during changing times. Nice descriptions of the freedom they enjoyed before white settlers destroyed their way of life.
Straight forward account by an unbiased person who lived with Native Americans during changing times. Nice descriptions of the freedom they enjoyed before white settlers destroyed their way of life.
January 27, 2022
Schultz was just a teenager when he went west to seek adventure, inspired by tales of the west, including Louis and Clarke. He ended up married to a Blackfeet girl who loved him dearly. The tribes accepted him and included him in buffalo hunts, and even raids on other tribes. At one point, he went home to the east coast to visit family. They begged him to stay home and live a "respectful" life. But he couldn't do it. His Indian wife was overjoyed when he returned to her. Fascinating to read his firsthand eyewitness reports of the untamed west.
February 14, 2018
Very interesting and well worth reading. However, it is written in the style of the 1800's and more difficult to follow. It does not have the "flow" of a professional writer, but sure does give you great insight to that era.
February 12, 2019
This is a really fascinating book for an understanding of life on the plains in 1870's and 1880's and the Blackfeet tribe. It is written by a guy who goes west at a very young age (19) and falls in love with the west and with trading and with an Indian woman of the Blackfeet confederation and ends up marrying her. Some takeaways from this book:
1. Mr. Schultz is literally present as the buffalo herds are being decimated and rapidly diminishing, and although he acknowledges the fact, he doesn't seem to have any understanding of why it was happening (over-hunting basically). He himself quite often kills an animal and then collects only "the choicest" parts of the meat, not always, but some of the time.
2. He was a trader and cheated the Indians. He recounts in his book (in what seems like a sort of humorous manner) how his wife discovers that he and his partner are using "cups" that have a double bottom and are only half of what they are advertised. He sold whisky freely to the Indians and tried to justify it by saying that they weren't any more bothered by the affects of whisky than white men were (an arguable point). They also watered down their whisky at 4 to 1 or 5 to 1 parts of water to whiskey. He seems to think this is all quite normal and okay and justifiable.
3. He writes as if the Indian tribes were sort of noble people who had a beautiful culture until the white man came along and ruined everything (of course he is a white man, but he doesn't seem to grasp the incongruity of his statement). He then freely recounts throughout the book the numerous war parties that preyed on each other's tribes, the petty jealousies that were present within tribes. He even recounts a story (he was present) in which one Indian lost all of his horses to another Indian gambling, then bet his own wife and lost her also (the Indian who won had apparently wanted his wife all along). The Indian who lost tells him to come to his lodge and he will give him everything that he owes. When he gets to the lodge, he pulls out a knife and stabs the winner to death, saying that he knew the guy wanted his wife all along. He then discovers that his wife (who had heard that he gambled her away) had committed suicide rather than become the wife of the other Indian. In response to this grisly discovery, the original gambling loser pulled out his own knife and committed suicide himself! This doesn't really fit Mr. Schultz's image of a beautiful people whom the white man screwed up.
4. Mr. Schulz who has rejected the faith of his family (he's from New England) is no help at all when the Indians are wrestling with life and death. He tells a story of an Indian woman who was dying of tuberculosis and asked him to pray "to his God" to save her. He cannot pray because he doesn't believe in God any more. His Indian wife, a bit exasperated, proceeds to say the Lord's Prayer herself which she learned from a Jesuit! She seems to know more about Christianity than he does.
5. On a positive note, Mr. Schulz who originally married his Indian wife with every intention of eventually leaving her and returning back east, does exactly that [the one part of the book where he freely admits his guilt and wrestling with his conscience] only to get back home and realize that his heart is in Montana. He returns to his Indian wife and they remain married and have a happy, committed marriage. [His Indian wife seems to be a pretty impressive woman]
I really enjoyed reading this book and learned a lot about trading, the Blackfeet tribes, the buffalo, etc.
1. Mr. Schultz is literally present as the buffalo herds are being decimated and rapidly diminishing, and although he acknowledges the fact, he doesn't seem to have any understanding of why it was happening (over-hunting basically). He himself quite often kills an animal and then collects only "the choicest" parts of the meat, not always, but some of the time.
2. He was a trader and cheated the Indians. He recounts in his book (in what seems like a sort of humorous manner) how his wife discovers that he and his partner are using "cups" that have a double bottom and are only half of what they are advertised. He sold whisky freely to the Indians and tried to justify it by saying that they weren't any more bothered by the affects of whisky than white men were (an arguable point). They also watered down their whisky at 4 to 1 or 5 to 1 parts of water to whiskey. He seems to think this is all quite normal and okay and justifiable.
3. He writes as if the Indian tribes were sort of noble people who had a beautiful culture until the white man came along and ruined everything (of course he is a white man, but he doesn't seem to grasp the incongruity of his statement). He then freely recounts throughout the book the numerous war parties that preyed on each other's tribes, the petty jealousies that were present within tribes. He even recounts a story (he was present) in which one Indian lost all of his horses to another Indian gambling, then bet his own wife and lost her also (the Indian who won had apparently wanted his wife all along). The Indian who lost tells him to come to his lodge and he will give him everything that he owes. When he gets to the lodge, he pulls out a knife and stabs the winner to death, saying that he knew the guy wanted his wife all along. He then discovers that his wife (who had heard that he gambled her away) had committed suicide rather than become the wife of the other Indian. In response to this grisly discovery, the original gambling loser pulled out his own knife and committed suicide himself! This doesn't really fit Mr. Schultz's image of a beautiful people whom the white man screwed up.
4. Mr. Schulz who has rejected the faith of his family (he's from New England) is no help at all when the Indians are wrestling with life and death. He tells a story of an Indian woman who was dying of tuberculosis and asked him to pray "to his God" to save her. He cannot pray because he doesn't believe in God any more. His Indian wife, a bit exasperated, proceeds to say the Lord's Prayer herself which she learned from a Jesuit! She seems to know more about Christianity than he does.
5. On a positive note, Mr. Schulz who originally married his Indian wife with every intention of eventually leaving her and returning back east, does exactly that [the one part of the book where he freely admits his guilt and wrestling with his conscience] only to get back home and realize that his heart is in Montana. He returns to his Indian wife and they remain married and have a happy, committed marriage. [His Indian wife seems to be a pretty impressive woman]
I really enjoyed reading this book and learned a lot about trading, the Blackfeet tribes, the buffalo, etc.
February 5, 2022
State: Montana
3.5/5
It was very interesting to learn some things about the lives of the Blackfeet Indians (only about 2000 of them??) The stories were interesting, but the timelines and some of the dating was very confusing to me. I think that these must be his writings of his "younger days" that he wrote probably in his 40s-50s and there is, of course, some "whitewashed" and "clouded" memories. He seems to say that the decline of the buffalo herds happened within 2 or 3 years. I find that hard to believe.
I was most interested in his lack of Christian beliefs and his disdain for the States and the "civilized." His bias is obvious. But then he talks of killing other Indians and there tribal back and forth revenge lives and this doesn't seem to cause him any angst. He was very complimentary of the Jesuits, however. He admired their zeal in their beliefs even though he doesn't agree with them. (Not hypocrites is my paraphrase.)
3.5/5
It was very interesting to learn some things about the lives of the Blackfeet Indians (only about 2000 of them??) The stories were interesting, but the timelines and some of the dating was very confusing to me. I think that these must be his writings of his "younger days" that he wrote probably in his 40s-50s and there is, of course, some "whitewashed" and "clouded" memories. He seems to say that the decline of the buffalo herds happened within 2 or 3 years. I find that hard to believe.
I was most interested in his lack of Christian beliefs and his disdain for the States and the "civilized." His bias is obvious. But then he talks of killing other Indians and there tribal back and forth revenge lives and this doesn't seem to cause him any angst. He was very complimentary of the Jesuits, however. He admired their zeal in their beliefs even though he doesn't agree with them. (Not hypocrites is my paraphrase.)
September 30, 2022
I got this book for research purposes and it is a gem of a read, both for research and pleasure. It threw me at first as it came close to being revisionist - especially for one raised on John Wayne westerns and related misinformation about native american culture.
However, much of my adulthood was taken up with cultural anthropology and ethnology studies so I accepted Schultz's experiences more easily.
But then another issue came to me; the book's almost modern tone. It seemed written too close to late twentieth century writing technique and voice-wise. It seems Schultz was ahead of his time.
The writing itself is easy to follow although the structure might throw modern readers off; be prepared for page-long paragraphs and dialogue without character separation.
And all that aside, a worthy read.
However, much of my adulthood was taken up with cultural anthropology and ethnology studies so I accepted Schultz's experiences more easily.
But then another issue came to me; the book's almost modern tone. It seemed written too close to late twentieth century writing technique and voice-wise. It seems Schultz was ahead of his time.
The writing itself is easy to follow although the structure might throw modern readers off; be prepared for page-long paragraphs and dialogue without character separation.
And all that aside, a worthy read.
June 21, 2020
This is probably one of the best first person narratives about someone who lived with a Native American tribe that I've read. It was a change and a relief to 'listen' to the author speak about daily life with the Blackfeet and present them as people with intelligence, a sense of humor and all the other traits that make up a person. He respected their beliefs. He was accepted as a member of the tribe and behaved accordingly. He fell in love with and married a Blackfeet woman. There were things that made me wince--poisoning wolves, descriptions of hunts--but you're bound to find things like that in books from this time period set in near-wilderness type land.
June 17, 2022
I enjoyed this narrative quite a bit. It is unlike many of the books I've read from the same period and gives a glimpse into the lives of the Indians in early western America. I couldn't help but notice the contradiction the author portrays in condemning the actions of other tribes for committing the same moral failures that the Blackfeet committed also, and in which he participated! Stealing horses, people, possessions and land, according to this account, was common. However, the author set the Blackfeet up as morally superior than many (but not all) of the other tribes in which he came in contact but with no acknowledgement of the hypocrisy of this position.
July 25, 2020
One of the better books that I have ever read. Reminiscent of the Journals of Lewis and Clark or the Oregon Trail. This memoir, however, tells the story of the devastation of the Native American culture by a man that left the East as a teenager and spent the rest of his life living in and with the Indian Nations. The detail is remarkable and having a story written by a man that would make most modern day liberals look conservative was a surprise. I am not a fan of revisionist history and find that much can be learned from the mistakes of the past.
May 20, 2025
This man has lived a life I always dreamed about as a kid. Growing up loving nature, the outdoors and being influenced by old western movies, it always made me wonder what it would have been like.
The good, the bad, and the ugly, he shares his stories from hunting buffalo with the tribe then to the devastating transition from a free-ranging tribe to the Piegans being controlled and mismanaged by the government officials.
I appreciated his candor and writing-style. He shared what doing life with them looked like in all its beauty and horror.
The good, the bad, and the ugly, he shares his stories from hunting buffalo with the tribe then to the devastating transition from a free-ranging tribe to the Piegans being controlled and mismanaged by the government officials.
I appreciated his candor and writing-style. He shared what doing life with them looked like in all its beauty and horror.
December 25, 2021
Delightful! Reads like a novel and tells many tales, perhaps most subtly but not least the tale of the author's life long love and discovery with his Blackfoot wife. The reader can see plainly, that, like all humans and all our cultures, love of family and neighbor, of God and His creation, are the primary concern of the Indian. And the evils we bring on ourselves before we gain wisdom are also shared with the Blackfeet.
December 29, 2024
This is a partial autobiography of a white man from the East in the 1800's who goes west to make his living. J. W. Schultz travels through the unsettled plains, eventually finding a home in what eventually becomes Montana. He lives with the Blackfeet, marries a young woman of the Piegan Blackfeet, and settles into the routines of their lives. The book is old...printed in 1907, and fascinating. It gives a rare window into Native American life.
February 6, 2021
Review for My Life as an Indian
I loved reading the stories. Wish there were more years in the stories so you would have a reference point of where we are at. There are some points in the book but there wasn't enough. How long were they married? Did they have children? Do you need to read another book to find out?
I loved reading the stories. Wish there were more years in the stories so you would have a reference point of where we are at. There are some points in the book but there wasn't enough. How long were they married? Did they have children? Do you need to read another book to find out?
July 8, 2022
Interesting stories
These stories were originally written for a periodical at the turn of the twentieth century. A white man from New England decides to move to Montana and live with a tribe of the Blackfoot nation. Interesting stories about everyday life, death, war and travels. Parts are graphically violent.
These stories were originally written for a periodical at the turn of the twentieth century. A white man from New England decides to move to Montana and live with a tribe of the Blackfoot nation. Interesting stories about everyday life, death, war and travels. Parts are graphically violent.
December 12, 2017
Great nonfiction read about the American west. The story teller immerses himself in the Native American culture during the days before civilization. He is telling the story from the perspective of an elderly man recalling the best times of his life.
October 28, 2018
Life
I enjoyed the look at one mans life in early America and also a good look at the life of Native Americans in the West both the good and the bad. There was much happiness in the early days and much sadness in the later days.
I enjoyed the look at one mans life in early America and also a good look at the life of Native Americans in the West both the good and the bad. There was much happiness in the early days and much sadness in the later days.
May 7, 2019
Good accounting of Indian life !
Great book very accurate. The author mentions several people that either lived with the Indians or traded with them in the late 1800s . I've read several other books about these people and they become intertwined .
Great book very accurate. The author mentions several people that either lived with the Indians or traded with them in the late 1800s . I've read several other books about these people and they become intertwined .
November 1, 2019
A very interesting book with lots of information about Native life in the area of Yellowstone. A white man married a Native woman and lived with her tribe for about 20 years in the late 1800s. Not exactly a page turner, I felt I needed a break after each story, but a good book nevertheless.
March 23, 2020
What a fasinating life this man had We recently visited the blackfeet reservation, and I was hankering to learn more about this particular tribe. Reading this book was a very enlightening way to do it.
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