Francis & Rose Cree (TM Ojibwe Elders))

12/28/2017

Rose and Francis Cree were highly respected Ojibwe elders on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation in north central North Dakota. As is the case with many elders, their lives reflect the intersection of artistic skill, tribal knowledge, and cultural authority. The Crees collaborated in making willow baskets, both collecting the materials, while Francis maked the frames from ash and Rose weaved the willows. Both were also storytellers and keepers of Ojibwe cultural knowledge.

Francis Cree (Eagle Heart) was born in 1920 or 1921. He died on 27 June 2007 aged 86.

Francis Cree was a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and was of Ojibwe, Cree, and Assiniboine ancestry. He and his wife Rose were often described as "two of the handful of full-blooded Ojibwes still left" at Turtle Mountain. He and Rose were married for 64 years.

Rose Cree was born Mindimooye Ginew Ikwe in on 21 July 1921 to Thomas Machipiness and Pearl Little Boy. She died on 13th January 2004 aged 82. She attended boarding school in Fort Totten, ND. At 18, she returned home to the Turtle Mountains. She had more than 130 grandchildren and great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. She had many adopted children.

She once said in an interview, "I had seven girls, seven boys. Now these young ones, my son's kids, my daughter's kids they have kids, then their children have kids. It's four generations anyway." I guess there are plenty of Crees to carry on this line!

Miigwich!

4 Comments

Pearl P Poitra

3/7/2019 08:44:39 am

I remember a few times that I seen Francis, very very respectful and smiling. I was to young and dumb to listen to his teachings!
Miigwech

Colleen Jollie

3/7/2019 09:38:33 am

I grew up in Washinton State, but on one of my visits "back home", as my dad always called Turtle Mountains, I purchased my first basket. It is a beauty, with a lid that slides open. Later, my cousin Phyllis gave me a heart shaped one. Both by the Crees. Both are precious symbols of my culture.

Jt ShiningOneSide

3/7/2019 12:43:48 pm

Boozhoo. As long as I live there will never be another Francis and Rose Deshcamp Cree. They struggled like many of our families with having a big family, having little and making it despite worst odds at times. I heard their stories and learned from both of them as they were gracious teachers of the Anishinaabe life-ways. I've heard Francis referred as the last chief in our tribe for the sun dance and his belief, and leadership in our way of life. Rose was a true kwewag and mindimooye as she stood with her partner for over 60 years and helped Francis in the good and bad times. Rose was good listener and shared with the women and was strict in the sweat lodge but with kindness. Francis and Rose were good friends with my parents Isaac and Mable Oneside Belgarde. Francis and Rose legacy will live on for generations to come. We are blessed in Turtle Mountains to have elders who knew our ways and continued even though it was difficult for them. Francis and Rose lived in simplicity and with true humility. They are truly loved and missed by many! Miigwech

3/7/2019 01:58:07 pm

Awe yes we lived across the road from Isaac and Mable. The family was quiet and kept to themselves. John and Rosey Allery lived by us also. Great memories...

Elder STories

Francis & Rose Cree (TM Ojibwe Elders))

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This page is maintained by indigenous scholars, educators, and researchers to provide information about indigenous people and stories about the history, culture, and communities of the Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, and the Prairie Provinces of Canada.