Edison Real Bird

Edison Real Bird
Chairman of the Crow Tribe
In office
1966–1972
Preceded byJohn Wilson
Succeeded byDavid Stewart
Personal details
BornOctober 16, 1929
DiedAugust 3, 1981 (51 years old)

Edison Real Bird was the chairman of the Crow Tribe Tribal Council from 1966 to 1972. While in that position, he implemented several key democratic reforms, and oversaw the election of Pauline Small, the first woman to be elected in the Crow Tribe.

He was photographed at the signing of the Crow Tribal Agreement, with Stewart Udall and Arnold Olsen, in 1961.[1]

"In 1967, during the Edison Real Bird Administration the Crow Cultural Commission, chaired by Henry Old Coyote, began a plan to design the Crow Tribal emblem and flag."[2]

The Crow Central Education Commission of the Crow Tribe of Indians, which was authorized and funded in 1972, "during the Edison Real Bird administration," became the parent organization of today's Little Big Horn College.[3]

The Edison Real Bird Memorial Complex in Crow Agency, Montana, named in his honor, is the site of many events that are a part of Crow Fair.[4]

  1. ^ "Guide to the Arnold Olsen Papers 1956-1972". Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, University of Montana. Retrieved 2013-01-17.
  2. ^ "Emblem and Flag of the Crow Tribe - Apsáalooke Nation Executive Branch". Official Site of the Crow Tribe - Apsáalooke Nation. Archived from the original on 2013-01-30. Retrieved 2013-01-17.
  3. ^ "About Us". Little Big Horn College. Archived from the original on 2013-06-04. Retrieved 2013-01-17.
  4. ^ Maria Scandale (2011-08-18). "93rd Annual Crow Fair Celebration Under the Big Sky". Indian Country Today Media Network. Archived from the original on 2013-04-08. Retrieved 2013-01-17.