Dave McGary

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The War Chief's Treasure
35" High
Bronze with Patina and Paint


Buffalo's Bull's Back Fat, head chief of the Blackfoot Bloodtribe is depicted standing proudly dressed in his war shirt which is garnished with porcupine quill work and trade beads. Attached to the seams of his shirt and leggings are 156 scalp locks, symbols of his victory over his opponents. He stoically wears his war robe that portrays war exploits of his tribal enemies painted on the back of the robe. The enemies were the Crows, the Shoshones, the Knisteneaux, Assinneboins and Ojbbeways. He displays both his gun stock war club and personal bag. The bag which is made out of a river otter, is elaborately adorned with porcupine quill work, trade beads and bells. Standing beside him with all her beauty and grandeur is his young wife, Eeb-nis-kin, the Crystal Stone. Never letting her out of his watchful eye he protects, shields and guards her like a rare gem exempting her from the common daily work normally done by the women of the tribe. The Blackfoot Nation is comprised of four Blackfoot nations, all with a strong cultural and historical background. In "The War Chief's Treasure" McGary focuses on the fourth of these nations, the northern Montana tribe, who reigned over this area in the mid nineteenth century.