factions: traditionalists (called “hostiles” by whites),
who oppose the presence of whites in Hopi terri-
tory; and progressives (called “friendlies” by whites),
who welcome the whites settling in their lands. The
tension between the two groups comes to a head
when the progressives expel the traditionalists from
Oraibi by force and confiscate their property. Fear-
ing retaliation from the traditionalists, U.S. officials
intervene and arrest 75 “hostiles” when their leaders
refuse to promise not to fight back. The violence at
Oraibi will be remembered by future generations as
one of the greatest tragedies of Hopi history.
November 23
Chitto Harjo testifies before Congress.
In a special Senate hearing held in Tulsa, Oklahoma,
radical Creek leader Chitto Harjo (see entry for FEB-
RUARY 1902) delivers a speech that summarizes the
history of the Creek’s relations with the U.S. gov-
ernment. Harjo condemns the Allotment policy as
a violation of the tribe’s 1832 removal treaty, which
guaranteed the Creek’s right to self-government. A
well-regarded orator among the Creek, Harjo im-
presses his listeners, one of whom later praises him
as “the most wonderful speaker I ever heard.” The
Senate, however, ignores his demands for the end of
Allotment.
1907The Brooklyn Museum acquires important
Maidu ceremonial paraphernalia.
Following the death of traditional Maidu leader
Holi Lafonso, his ceremonial paraphernalia is sold
to Stewart Culin of the Brooklyn Museum. The
loss of these objects is a great blow to the Maidu’s
rich ceremonial life at Chico, a tribal center for
traditional dances.
Anderson v. Matthews gives nonreservation
Indians the right to vote.
Funded by the Indian Board of Cooperation, Ethan
Anderson, a Pomo Indian, initiates a lawsuit charging
that as a nonreservation Indian he has the right to
register to vote in Mendocino County, California.
Anderson v. Matthews is argued before the Supreme
Court of California, which finds that Anderson is
legally a citizen and therefore entitled to vote in the
state.January 23Charles Curtis becomes the first
Indian senator.
A Kaw Indian from Oklahoma, Charles Curtis
begins his tenure as the first Native American in
the U.S. Senate. Curtis, who previously has served
eight terms as a Republican in the U.S. House
of Representatives, will resign from the Senate
after he wins his bid for the vice presidency on
Herbert Hoover’s ticket (see entry for NOVEMBER
1928).April 19Onondaga athlete Tom Longboat wins the
Boston Marathon.
Dubbed the “Onondaga Wonder” by the press,
long-distance running champion Tom Longboat
from the Grand River Reserve in Ontario places
first in Boston Marathon. He finishes the race in
two hours and 24 minutes, besting the previous re-
cord time by a full five minutes.August 29Thirty-five Mohawk ironworkers are killed
on the Quebec Bridge.
In the worst bridge-construction accident in his-
tory, 96 ironworkers die when the Quebec bridge
they are building collapses. Thirty-five of the dead
are Mohawk Indians from the Kahnawake Re-
serve. Famed for their ability to balance on steel
beams and negotiate enormous heights with confi-
dence, many Canadian Mohawk for decades have
relied on ironwork for their livelihood (see entry
for 1886).