Born: 1806
N/A (Unknown death year)
Biography:
Woman Chief, also known as Bíawacheeitchish, was a remarkable bacheeítche (chief) and warrior of the Crow people. Born around 1806, her exact birth name remains unknown. She began her life among the Gros Ventres people but was taken captive by a Crow raiding party when she was approximately ten years old. Adopted by a Crow warrior, she quickly immersed herself in traditionally male pursuits, distinguishing herself as a fierce leader and becoming one of the Crows’ most significant figures.
Despite her deviation from gender norms, Woman Chief chose to wear typical female clothing rather than adopting men’s garments. This choice did not diminish her skills in horse riding, marksmanship, or her ability to field-dress a buffalo, which earned her great acclaim within the tribe. Upon the death of her foster father, she assumed leadership of his lodge, using her innate leadership qualities to guide her people.
Her legacy as a warrior was solidified during a Blackfoot raid on a fort that housed both Crow and white families. Woman Chief fought off multiple attackers and played a vital role in repelling the invasion. Such acts of bravery resulted in her raising her band of warriors and launching retaliatory raids on Blackfoot settlements. During these raids, she captured numerous horses and scalps, earning her a revered place in Crow society.
Woman Chief’s accomplishments and reputation led her to be selected as the representative for her lodge in the Council of Chiefs, the governing body of the Crow tribe. Known as Bíawacheeitchish or Woman Chief, she eventually rose to become the third-ranking member among the council’s 160 lodges. This achievement was further heightened by her four marriages, which added both wealth and prestige to her lodge.
Not only was Woman Chief a skilled warrior, but she also played a significant role in peace negotiations with other tribes along the Upper Missouri following the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie. Her diplomatic skills were evident in successfully negotiating peace with the Gros Ventres, the tribe of her birth.
Tragically, after several years of relative peace, Woman Chief’s life was cut short when she was ambushed and killed by a Gros Ventres party. Despite her untimely demise, her legacy continued to captivate Western visitors who encountered her during her lifetime. Visitors such as Edwin Denig and Rudolph Kurz found her to be an exotic figure among the patriarchal Crow society, often comparing her to the legendary Amazons of European myth. While their accounts are now understood to be biased, they still provide valuable insights into Woman Chief’s life.
Confusion arises as James Beckwourth wrote about a Crow warrior called Bar-chee-am-pe or Pine Leaf, whom some believe to be the same person as Woman Chief. Certain aspects of Pine Leaf’s life align with what is known about Woman Chief, though Beckwourth’s account is highly exaggerated and potentially fictional.
Woman Chief’s life represents a remarkable story of resilience, leadership, and gender defiance. Her dedication to her people, her exceptional warrior skills, and her ability to navigate the complex dynamics between tribes mark her as one of the most influential figures in Crow history.