The human remains discovered on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation last year have been determined to be that of a Blackfeet law enforcement officer.
In December of 2018, human remains were found near Black Tail Creek in the southern portion of the reservation near the early settlement of Robare.
Robert DesRosier, the director of Blackfeet Tribal Homeland Security, stated research and discovery of related artifacts found at the site determined the human remains were of a Blackfeet policeman although the policeman’s name is unknown.
Blackfeet policemen were hired to enforce laws put in place on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation beginning in 1878. Each Blackfeet policeman was issued a uniform and paid $10 per month to perform their police duties.
The police uniform was adorned with brass buttons depicting the logo “God helps those who help themselves.” Several similar buttons and remnants of the police uniform were discovered with the human remains.
The Unknown Blackfeet Indian Policeman will be returned to near the site of discovery.
A traditional Rock Cairn Burial is planned for the Unknown Blackfeet Policeman on April 24, 2019 at 12 p.m. on Black Tail Creek.
A motorcade from Browning to the Black Tail Creek burial site will take place prior to the noon burial ceremony. The public is invited to attend.
