Lonefighters roots date back to 1700s

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The Lone fighters Society has roots tracing back to the 1700s. But who are the Lonefighters? How they came to be and for what purpose can only be told by Peigan Nation elders.

The Lonef ighters' Society members originally lived along the bands of the Oldman River, which runs a winding course thorough Peigan land in a one-kilometer long tranquil coulee.

There on the river's banks they buried their dead, held sundances, gathered for powwows and held war council against any enemy that threatened the Peigan people.

As you walk along the prairie you can feel the presence of the Lonefighters and it is there that elders will tell you "lies powerful medicine."

In the middle of the Lonefighters' territory is an old log house, which belonged to a Lonefighter named Goodrider.

The elders haven't forgotten many of the Lonefighters' names like Bad Eagle, Three Eagles, Grassywater and the leader of the Lonefighters' clan, Brigs Down The Sun.

Both Brings Down The Sun and Three Eagles were able to carry out tasks through visions.

The Lonefighters protected their land and their people with vigor and flair. It was said that in battle "the Lonefighters must fight to the last warrior." And they lived by that belief.

They were highly respected by other Indian tribes like the Blackfoot and the Bloods, who with their Brave Dog Society treated the Lonefighters with respect.

"They were fighters and the legend of their deeds goes back as far as time itself," said elder James Bad Eagle, a direct descendant of the Lonefighters himself.

When the white man outlawed the sundance and other Indian traditions it was the Lonefighters society that would not bound to these new laws.

"They continued practicing their beliefs. Oh! they were a brave people," smiled Bad Eagle.

There were many clans within the Peigan Nation like the Padded Saddles, Gopher Eates, White Chests, the Bullrush and the Never Lonesomes, but many Peigans will tell you "the Ni'taiitsskaiks (Lonefighters) were legend."

One direct descendant of the Lonefighters said that "sitting in their camp today here on their land, I can feel their spirits. Our presence and our need for their guidance (in the standoff with RCMP) brings them back to life," he said.

The Lonefighter said some Peigans are upset because the present Lonefighters have taken this noble name. "But most of us here are directs descendants of the Lonefighters society," he said.

For many years the Lonefighters had seemed to disappear "like ghosts," he said.

"Until now when this emergency has arisen," said another Lonefighter. "They are here, we are here and our blood runs thick with Lonefigher pride," he said, referring to the Sept. 7-8 standoff with the RCMP over the Lonefighters diversion of the Oldman River.

Some Peigans call the Indians at Browning, Montana the Mother Tribe.

"Sure we are the Northern Peigan and they the Southern Peigan. But only a white man's border divides us. They, too, are the Peigan Nation. They too have Lonefighters," said Lonefighter spokesman Glenn North Peigan.

Elder James Bad Eagle believes the name Lonefighers arrived from a time when one lone warrior fought against heavy enemy odds.

"This warrior would not give up. I can tell you the Lonefighters were always prepared for war and they were full of adventure.

"But they were also a very happy people and they enjoyed communicating with other tribes," Bad Eagle said.

The moon is full and it lights up the prairie all the way to the shadowy Rocky Mountains. Cricket noises are everywhere. A Lonefighter rides by and nods. "Feel their presence?" he asks. "Sleep well. Tonight Lonefighter are guarding your tens." Then he rides away.