The flag of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. Photo from Facebook
Barbara Spang, faithful tribal receptionist for 43 Years
By Clara Caufield For the past 43 years, anyone who has called the Northern Cheyenne Tribal office in Lame Deer has heard the quiet, gentle and friendly voice of Barbara Onebear Spang, central office tribal receptionist during all that time. “Good morning or good afternoon Tribal Office,” she will say in a very professional manner, never seeming ruffled though the phones are constantly jangling, people line up several deep at the reception counter as she worries about the “mail," a major responsibility, both incoming and outgoing. Her accent of a fluent Cheyenne speaker is endearing and she frequently lapses into the Cheyenne language with some callers. “That used to be really important, but not so much anymore,” she sighs. What many callers may not know is that they are speaking with a great- grand daughter of Chief Dull Knife, one of the most famous Northern Cheyenne Chiefs who along with Little Wolf enabled the Northern Cheyenne to come back from Oklahoma. For more than four decades, during my various geographic adventures ranging from Washington, D.C. to Alaska and in between I often called the Tribal office for a variety of reasons. It was always comforting to hear Barbara’s kind and genteel voice, giving a sense that things were still stable at the tribal office, despite changes in leadership. She is very serious about her responsibilities as the member of a Chief’s family. “We were always told to put the people first and ourselves last. We are here for the people,” she often reminds. And, she is in the perfect position to see that Cheyenne tribal members will get help when they need it, kindly directing them to the right program or staff person. She herself never seems to get ruffled and will even remind elected officials of their responsibility to the people. “That’s why we put you here,” she will tell them. Working in central administration for more than four decades, the heart of the tribal office for the Tribal President, Barbara has served many tribal leaders including John Woodenlegs, Allen “Chuggy” Rowland, Wendell “Windy” Shoulderblade, Robert Bailey, Edwin Dahle, William Walksalong, Joe Walksalong Sr., Llevando “Cowboy” Fisher (2 times), Geri Small (2 times), Eugene Little Coyote and Leroy Spang. “They have come and gone, but somehow I’m still here,” she gently giggles. Yes, she is and I find her long and faithful service remarkable, not only as a tribal member who knows that Barbara will always help, but more so when I served on the tribal council, as vice president or as executive assistant to a few tribal presidents. Then, when I was caught up in a press of paperwork irritated by the demands of pesky tribal members, she would gently remind me: “You are here for the people. That paperwork can wait.” She was absolutely right and I’ve always appreciated her very real sense of priority which can easily be lost by leaders facing many demanding problems. And I feel blessed to have had her guidance and friendship over the years. Sometimes when she talks about retiring, I tease her: “Nope, Barbara, you can’t retire or the tribal office might fall down.” She laughs back and says, “You know it might.” Barbara’s principal role for the past forty or so years has been the smooth operation of tribal office central administration. She is often the first to arrive a little before 8 a.m. and normally the last to leave at 5 p.m., no matter the weather or circumstances. It might be possible to count the days she has taken off, usually only for dire circumstances such as a funeral or an even rarer “sick” day. Before she took on her critical role, she made many other contributions, raising a family of fine productive children, passing on her strong work ethic after working also at area schools and for St. Labre and also as a star softball player on the reservation well into her sixties. She still cares for her younger sister, also up in years, providing the special care that Phoebe Spotted Elk, also my sister-in-law needs. A favorite photo graces her desk. It features a much younger and beautiful Barbara with former Senator Ted Kennedy, whom she lobbied successfully to get funding for the first daycare center on the Reservation in the 1970’s. “He was a very nice man who really liked the Cheyennes,” she said. “And we liked him too. I knew him.” Barbara was also once a movie star, an extra in “Last of the Dog Men,” starring Tom Berenger who also produced the film. On his first visit to the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, he met her first and was determined that she be in the movie, an example of a classic and beautiful Northern Cheyenne woman. “He sure was a nice man, too,” she smiled. But then, it would be rare and totally out of character for Barbara to say anything negative about anyone, even under the most trying circumstances. Although Barbara always “Puts herself last” as is proper in a Chief’s family, I think it is time for the tribe to “put her first,” by recognizing and acknowledging her devoted service for all these years. Our current Tribal President, Llevando “Cowboy” Fisher and Barbara go back for years, both having served the tribe in various capacities all that time. “Barbara is the lowest paid tribal secretary under the general fund,” he recently said. “And the Tribe doesn’t offer a retirement program. She is a wonderful role model for other young workers who need to follow her example.” Since it would be dangerous to hold our breath until the tribe officially says Thank You to Barbara, let me say it now. “Sweet Medicine Woman”, Thank You, Ha Ho and Nease. Please don’t retire and make us write a story about the tribal office falling down. (Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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