Reid Burton Winnie was the last hereditary chief of the small band of Seneca-Cayugas in Indian territory, now the state of Oklahoma.
He was born to John Winnie and Lucy Jamison. He was born as a part of a small roving band of Iroquois people who settled in Indian territory. He recieved his early year's education from the local Quaker mission school. He continued his studies at Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas. Following graduation from Haskell he enrolled at the University of Kansas Law School. He learned much about the law while enrolled, but becasue of lack of finances, he was not able to complete his degree. Financial assistance was not available for native students.
He then entered the United States Indian Service as a teacher. He was assigned to teach in a school in Oregon. There he met Ida Crawford and they were married. While in Oregon, my grandfather, Clarence Winnie was born. Years later while working at an Indian School in Arizona, word was received that his father had passed. He immediately rushed home to the small settlement to become Chief. He wished to be a modern chief but hoped he would be able to relate the wisdom of his father. His teaching experience and his knowledge of the laws of the land made it easier for him to cope with tribal problems.
He spent much of his time in Washington D.C. on tribal business. He was one of the first chiefs from Indian territory to participate in the legal battle of the Iroquois against the state of New York. As a student of the law he was very much interested in that claim and spent much time preparing legal briefs and doing research work for the attorneys hired by the tribe. When the money got lean, the Washington attorneys released him from the case, citing the fact that he did not have a law degree. Dejected, he returned home determined to finish his law degree,pass the bar and return to Washington to argue on equal ground, but he knew that even with the degree he would never be accepted on equal ground.
In the years to come Indian territory became the state of Oklahoma and tribal law changed in regard to governance.
Reid continued to work for the Indian Service with his last assignment being in Montana. As a native leader, he was more than a teacher to these western Indians. He taught classes during the day. His passion was to raise their standard of living above the poverty level. He fought for native land rights and health care. Early in his tenure he contracted small pox and then pneumonia. He died three days later. He died a young warrior who lived busy, full life. He was buried in a small chuerch yard in Montana.
He never let his followers forget, "All things in life are gifts from the Great Spirit and that we must be grateful for our many blessings."
He also insisted that his followers remember, "All people are children of the Great Spirit and that he loves all of us. In his eyes no one is better than the other. We must learn to live together and to love and respect each other."
And finally, "I hope that all native people will always be proud they are Indians and will never do anything that will bring further dislike of our people."
In his honor a scholarship was established in his name at he University of Oklahoma. The Reid Winnie Scholarship is available to assist a young native student majoring in medicine.
