Crow Mary

Crow Mary and Farwell travel with Major Irvine to Fort Mcleod. The major questions Crow Mary about her experiences in the Cypress Hills massacre, and she tells the story of how she saved the women. The major is amazed, but Farwell explains that she acted “against [his] orders” (221). Crow Mary responds that she does not take orders from Farwell because she is Crow.

Crow Mary decides to camp outside the fort. They are on land belonging to the Blackfoot people, a traditional enemy of the Crow, but she prefers it to the fort. Crow Mary announces to Farwell that she is pregnant, and he rejoices. While at Fort Macleod, Farwell works as a mailman, and Crow Mary prepares a traditional cradleboard for her baby. She notices that Farwell has become reticent, but he is happy. As she makes the cradleboard, Crow Mary misses her family, particularly her mother. She also writes a letter to Jeannie in English.

Farwell suggests that the doctor should help Crow Mary give birth, but she refuses, saying that the Blackfoot women will assist her. Ultimately, the women help her deliver her baby, and Crow Mary sees them as friends. Farwell names the baby Susie after his mother. Crow Mary respects his will to honor his mother but resolves to rename her daughter when she reunites with her family.

Crow Mary and Farwell arrive at Winnipeg for the trial. Farwell is a “proud father,” but people often look at the baby nervously, Major Irvine included. However, as time passes, he begins to soften, looking at her with tenderness. Crow Mary feels uneasy in town among white people, “disturbed” by “the noise and chaos” (234).

On the day of the trial, Crow Mary does not recall having seen the defendants during the massacre. Farwell encourages her to be honest. She questions him about the proceedings, observing the judges but wishing that the case had been resolved in the Crow way. Farwell gives a long testimony supporting the Nakoda. However, Lebombarde testifies that he does not know the men and did not see them during the massacre, upsetting Farwell. Crow Mary is certain that he is lying.

Crow Mary is scared as she rises to testify, but she gathers her courage by thinking of the women. She testifies truthfully that she did not see the men during the massacre. She explains that the wolfers killed Little Soldier and raped the Nakoda women. A government representative testifies against the Nakoda, saying, “[T]hey would rob, pillage, and murder if they had the opportunity” (242). Farwell’s agitation grows.

The judges acquit the men. Major Irvine explains that the trial was useful because it showcased that the law treats Indigenous people equally in Canada. Farwell, though, comments that they did not provide justice. Crow Mary sees Farwell more discouraged than ever. Major Irvine insists on the positive aspect, saying that the mounted police will prosecute whiskey traders. He also praises Crow Mary and says that their daughter mesmerized him.

Crow Mary feels angry with everything and worries when Farwell is absent during the night. When he returns, he smells of “vomit and whiskey” (247). Days later, they travel back to Fort Macleod. Farwell remains distant and reticent, and Crow Mary questions him. Farwell asks her why she did not testify against the men and explains that he is mad about the result of the trial. She suggests that they find the men and shoot them, and he tells her to “stop talking like an Indian” because white society does not act “like savages” (248). Crow Mary is furious, and he quickly apologizes. Farwell explains that he is at a loss and feels guilty about trading whiskey. Without a job, he worries that he cannot support his family. Crow Mary says that they do not need much to live.

Farwell receives threats against his life, and the family stays at Fort Mcleod for safety. Farwell remains distant from Crow Mary, but their daughter offers them joy. At her daughter’s birthday, Crow Mary receives a letter from Jeannie saying that Red Fox visited the Métis village, asking for her. She also writes that her mother was ill with measles but recovered. Red Fox brought news that a treaty granted a land section to the Crow tribe and that the government wants them to adopt an agrarian lifestyle. He invites Crow Mary’s family to live in the Crow land. Farwell rejoices at the news, calling it an opportunity to “start again.” Crow Mary agrees.

The couple travels to the Métis village, where Crow Mary finds Jeannie and her family. Crow Mary talks to Jeannie about Farwell’s condition. Farwell and René return intoxicated in the evening from Fort Benton, saying that Stiller was at the bar, offering them drinks. Crow Mary gets angry when she hears Stiller’s name. René tries to calm her, explaining that Stiller helped Farwell get supplies since people were reluctant to sell to him.

The next day, Farwell apologizes to Crow Mary, reiterating that he cannot stop drinking when he starts. He confesses that the trial was hard for him and that he feels like he is the only one who is “pa[ying] a price” (256). Crow Mary understands his distress, and, because of her love, she tries to save their marriage.

Crow Mary and Farwell travel to the Crow reservation following Red Fox’s map. The tribe is now restricted by treaty to a specific area. Crow Mary tells Farwell that Red Fox did not sign the treaty. Crow Mary is happy to return to her “beloved homeland” and talks to Farwell about the buffalo hunt, remembering that her grandmother taught her to skin a buffalo and thank the animal. The couple arrives at the Crow agency to find a friend of Crow Mary’s grandmother, who calls Crow Mary by her original name. Crow Mary and Farwell are “full of hope” (262).

Crow Mary reunites with Red Fox, feeling relieved. She notices an unknown, pregnant woman cooking outside her father’s tipi. Crow Mary sees her father looking “worn out,” and he informs her that her mother died just a few weeks ago. Farwell prevents Crow Mary from mourning in the Crow way, saying that it would scare Susie to see her mother cutting herself. Crow Mary feels “numb,” wondering how to grieve. Farwell encourages her to stay with her family until he goes to claim their land.

Crow Mary’s brother, Strong Bull, is already a “young brave.” Her father protests about the reservation and the agency. He says that the tribe cannot hunt and that there are far fewer buffalo than before. He resents that they are pressured to farm and raise cattle and prohibited from having multiple wives. Crow Mary asks if the tribe could learn “a different way” (265), and her father tells her that she may have forgotten her Crow ways. He informs her that the Crow children are taken to schools and that many people abuse alcohol. Crow Mary realizes that things have changed and wonders where she belongs.

Crow Mary examines the land with Farwell, feeling that a house would be lonely. He argues that Susie must live in a “civilized” house and learn reading and writing, but Crow Mary is determined to teach her the Crow values. As Farwell helps her set up the tipi, Crow Mary explains to Susie that they will build the tipi alone when she grows up because Crow women rely on each other and own their homes.