Native American Women Leaders – Amelia Trice (Kootenai, 1936-2011)
In our series on Native American women, we have been relating the stories of only a few of the many indigenous women who accomplished great things for themselves, their tribes, and the culture. These women have been overlooked In traditional history books that emphasize white males. Our narratives on this website are meant to make up for that by encouraging readers with the women’s stories and appreciating the contributions that these women have made to society.
So far we have related the stories of educators, doctors, nurses, writers, storytellers, scientists, mathematicians, artists, and several female indigenous leaders. We have a treat for you this week – the story of a courageous and wise woman who declared war on the United States Government in order to save her people from annihilation.
Amelia Trice (Kootenai, 1936 – 2011)
Amelia (Amy) Cutsack Trice was born in Bonners Ferry, Idaho on April 26, 1936. Her parents, Baptiste and Helen Cutsack sent her to the Kootenai Tribal School, Chemewa Indian School, and Bonners Ferry Public School. Amy finished her education even though she had to take time off for lengthy stays at a sanatorium for her tuberculosis.
When she was only twenty years old Amy was elected Secretary of the Tribal Council and then went on to serve as Tribal Chairwoman. She worked tirelessly to bring about better conditions for her people. Roads, housing, infrastructure – all of it was falling down.
In 1954, she married Xavier Aitken. They had six children. Sadly, their marriage failed. Later, Amy later married David Trice in 1969.
In the 1970’s the tribe had dwindled to 67 members. They had no land. There were no jobs available. For religious reasons they resisted moving to a reservation. They had been robbed of their culture including hunting rights. The homes given to them by the Federal government were decaying with broken windows and leaky roofs. A Tribal elder froze to death one winter night. It seemed it would be only a matter of time before the entire Tribe disappeared.
The Kootenai people were moved from place to place near Bonners Ferry, Idaho. They were facing annihilation. Amy sent letters to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. They replied that they would not do anything until the tribe had 125 members. Amy Trice became angry and decided to declare war (non-violent) against the United States government.
Tribes were forbidden to declare war if they had signed a treaty. The Kootenai had never signed such a treaty. So, the declaration was legal. The tribe pursued their war by selling “war bonds” at one dollar each with the signatures of Amy Trice and another representative, Doug Wheaton clearly stating the declaration of war.
Picket lines were formed at each end of U.S. Highway 95 where tribal members handed out information to travelers
asking for social justice. They asked for a 10-cent toll which they used to care for tribal elders.
Government officials were understandably afraid of violence. Events at Wounded Knee, South Dakota had just taken place a year earlier. Troops were sent to keep the peace. The media flocked to the site, putting the government officials on the spot. The news was reported as far away as Israel, Germany, Greece and Ireland. There was a standoff for several weeks. Neither side would give in.
Amelia then led a delegation to Washinton, D.C. She talked to President Gerald Ford who granted the Kootenai 12.5 acres of land outside of Bonners Ferry. President Ford’s bill transferred 2 tracts of land to the site of the historic St. Michael’s Catholic Mission. The tribe also received 18 new houses, a community center, and clean water and sewage. The badly damaged road was repaired.
A documentary on the event, “Idaho’s Forgotten War”, produced by Sonya Rosario, aired in 2010. You can purchase it here:
From: https://sonyarosario.com/idahos-forgotten-war/
You can see a trailer to this documentary here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hEZcihxFPRUp9ES7LaDrscLqrh36E1Nf/view
Amy won many awards for her work. She was given the Chairman’s Award from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. She also received the Women of Color Alliance Breaking Barriers for Women of Color Idaho Award. She was a founding member of the Upper Columbia United Tribes.
In her personal life, Amy was known for her generosity and hospitality. Friends and family recall that she always had a welcoming smile and a playful spirit. She loved participating on the pow-wow trail. She had many women friends with which she enjoyed engaging in water aerobics.
Amy was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church. She was active in the Alter Society. She took part in cultural exchanges with the other women in the church. She taught them beadwork and they taught her sewing techniques.
The Kootenai took advantage of the government help. They used the money as they became involved in environmental preservation. They began to operate a hatchery to help the endangered Kootenai River white sturgeon to recover. Today their tribal membership is over 150. They own more than 2,500 acres of land, much of it is wildlife habitat.
In 1986 the Kootenai River Inn was opened. In an effort to garner more income, the tribe opened the Kootenai River Casino in 1996. The tribe has become one of the largest employers in Boundary County. The tribe has also supported the local public schools and brought educational opportunities to their children that were not available before. Many of the children have gone on to higher education, some returning to work among their people.
Amy travelled extensively as a speaker on the importance of dignity and heritage to many tribes across the United States and Canada. She became a mentor to future leaders encouraging them to believe that even small groups can accomplish much. She inspired them to not give up, to refuse to lie down and go away. Her life was a meaningful example to her people.
After a life of service to her people, Amy Cutsack Trice died on July 21, 2011. She lost her last battle to cancer. She was survived by her husband, David Trice and 6 children, 16 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. A wake was held for her in the Kootenai Tribal Hall. A mass was said for her at St. Ann’s Catholic Church. She is buried at St. Michael’s Mission Cemetery.
Amelia (Amy) Cutsack Trice left a legacy of fighting for justice using nonviolence. She is also credited with helping to open doors of opportunity in leadership for Native America women. Her courage, faith, vision, and perseverance will not be forgotten.
And, as far as we know, Amy Trice is the only woman in U.S. History to declare war on the United States government!
Native American Women Leaders – Amelia Trice
We got our dignity back. That was what the war accomplished.
Native American Women Leaders – Amelia Trice (Kootenai, 1936-2011)
In our series on Native American women, we have been relating the stories of only a few of the many indigenous women who accomplished great things for themselves, their tribes, and the culture. These women have been overlooked In traditional history books that emphasize white males. Our narratives on this website are meant to make up for that by encouraging readers with the women’s stories and appreciating the contributions that these women have made to society.
So far we have related the stories of educators, doctors, nurses, writers, storytellers, scientists, mathematicians, artists, and several female indigenous leaders. We have a treat for you this week – the story of a courageous and wise woman who declared war on the United States Government in order to save her people from annihilation.
Amelia Trice (Kootenai, 1936 – 2011)
When she was only twenty years old Amy was elected Secretary of the Tribal Council and then went on to serve as Tribal Chairwoman. She worked tirelessly to bring about better conditions for her people. Roads, housing, infrastructure – all of it was falling down.
In 1954, she married Xavier Aitken. They had six children. Sadly, their marriage failed. Later, Amy later married David Trice in 1969.
In the 1970’s the tribe had dwindled to 67 members. They had no land. There were no jobs available. For religious reasons they resisted moving to a reservation. They had been robbed of their culture including hunting rights. The homes given to them by the Federal government were decaying with broken windows and leaky roofs. A Tribal elder froze to death one winter night. It seemed it would be only a matter of time before the entire Tribe disappeared.
The Kootenai people were moved from place to place near Bonners Ferry, Idaho. They were facing annihilation. Amy sent letters to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. They replied that they would not do anything until the tribe had 125 members. Amy Trice became angry and decided to declare war (non-violent) against the United States government.
Tribes were forbidden to declare war if they had signed a treaty. The Kootenai had never signed such a treaty. So, the declaration was legal. The tribe pursued their war by selling “war bonds” at one dollar each with the signatures of Amy Trice and another representative, Doug Wheaton clearly stating the declaration of war.
Picket lines were formed at each end of U.S. Highway 95 where tribal members handed out information to travelers
asking for social justice. They asked for a 10-cent toll which they used to care for tribal elders.
Government officials were understandably afraid of violence. Events at Wounded Knee, South Dakota had just taken place a year earlier. Troops were sent to keep the peace. The media flocked to the site, putting the government officials on the spot. The news was reported as far away as Israel, Germany, Greece and Ireland. There was a standoff for several weeks. Neither side would give in.
Amelia then led a delegation to Washinton, D.C. She talked to President Gerald Ford who granted the Kootenai 12.5 acres of land outside of Bonners Ferry. President Ford’s bill transferred 2 tracts of land to the site of the historic St. Michael’s Catholic Mission. The tribe also received 18 new houses, a community center, and clean water and sewage. The badly damaged road was repaired.
A documentary on the event, “Idaho’s Forgotten War”, produced by Sonya Rosario, aired in 2010. You can purchase it here:
From: https://sonyarosario.com/idahos-forgotten-war/
You can see a trailer to this documentary here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hEZcihxFPRUp9ES7LaDrscLqrh36E1Nf/view
Amy won many awards for her work. She was given the Chairman’s Award from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. She also received the Women of Color Alliance Breaking Barriers for Women of Color Idaho Award. She was a founding member of the Upper Columbia United Tribes.
In her personal life, Amy was known for her generosity and hospitality. Friends and family recall that she always had a welcoming smile and a playful spirit. She loved participating on the pow-wow trail. She had many women friends with which she enjoyed engaging in water aerobics.
Amy was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church. She was active in the Alter Society. She took part in cultural exchanges with the other women in the church. She taught them beadwork and they taught her sewing techniques.
The Kootenai took advantage of the government help. They used the money as they became involved in environmental preservation. They began to operate a hatchery to help the endangered Kootenai River white sturgeon to recover. Today their tribal membership is over 150. They own more than 2,500 acres of land, much of it is wildlife habitat.
In 1986 the Kootenai River Inn was opened. In an effort to garner more income, the tribe opened the Kootenai River Casino in 1996. The tribe has become one of the largest employers in Boundary County. The tribe has also supported the local public schools and brought educational opportunities to their children that were not available before. Many of the children have gone on to higher education, some returning to work among their people.
Amy travelled extensively as a speaker on the importance of dignity and heritage to many tribes across the United States and Canada. She became a mentor to future leaders encouraging them to believe that even small groups can accomplish much. She inspired them to not give up, to refuse to lie down and go away. Her life was a meaningful example to her people.
After a life of service to her people, Amy Cutsack Trice died on July 21, 2011. She lost her last battle to cancer. She was survived by her husband, David Trice and 6 children, 16 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. A wake was held for her in the Kootenai Tribal Hall. A mass was said for her at St. Ann’s Catholic Church. She is buried at St. Michael’s Mission Cemetery.
Amelia (Amy) Cutsack Trice left a legacy of fighting for justice using nonviolence. She is also credited with helping to open doors of opportunity in leadership for Native America women. Her courage, faith, vision, and perseverance will not be forgotten.
And, as far as we know, Amy Trice is the only woman in U.S. History to declare war on the United States government!
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