Peigans make local salesman honorary chief

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Bob Brown, a retired Edmonton salesman, is being made an honorary Indian chief by the Peigan Indian Nation. He will be honored in a ceremony Feb. 9 for his volunteer work over the last eight years in helping the southern Alberta band market traditional beaded moccasins. "I think it's quite an honor," said Brown. "They don't hand them out for box tops." His marketing knowledge has given the Peigans a firm foothold in the Canadian marketplace. The $45 handmade moccasins are available on the reserve and at many shops across the country. Brown will be given a headress and a new name selected by a family on the reserve. When he first arrived on the reserve to share his advice, he was thrown out. The band was making thousands of pairs of moccasins and selling very few. Brown estimates 1988 sales at about $800,000.