What do you think?
Rate this book
Rising Wolf, the White Blackfoot: Hugh Monroe's Story of His First Year on the Plains
"One of the greatest pleasures of my long life on the plains was my intimate friendship with Hugh Monroe, or Rising Wolf, whose tale of his first experiences upon the Saskatchewan-Missouri River plains is set forth in Rising Wolf just as I had it from him before the lodge fires of the long ago."
James Willard Schultz, or Apikuni, (1859-1947) was a noted author, explorer, Glacier National Park guide, fur trader and historian of the Blackfoot Indians. He operated a fur trading post at Carroll, Montana and lived among the Pikuni tribe during the period 1880-82. He was given the name Apikuni by the Pikuni chief, Running Crane. Apikuni in Blackfoot means "Spotted Robe." Schultz is most noted for his 37 books, most about Blackfoot life, and for his contributions to the naming of prominent features in Glacier National Park.
James Willard Schultz, or Apikuni, (1859-1947) was a noted author, explorer, Glacier National Park guide, fur trader and historian of the Blackfoot Indians. He operated a fur trading post at Carroll, Montana and lived among the Pikuni tribe during the period 1880-82. He was given the name Apikuni by the Pikuni chief, Running Crane. Apikuni in Blackfoot means "Spotted Robe." Schultz is most noted for his 37 books, most about Blackfoot life, and for his contributions to the naming of prominent features in Glacier National Park.
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1919
313 people are currently reading
505 people want to read
About the author
James Willard Schultz
126 books30 followersJames Willard Schultz, or Apikuni, (born August 26, 1859, died June 11, 1947) was a noted author, explorer, Glacier National Park guide, fur trader and historian of the Blackfoot Indians.
James Willard Schultz (J.W. Schultz) started writing at the age of 21, publishing articles and stories in Forest and Stream for 15 years. He did not write his first book until 1907 at age 48. The memoir: ''My Life as an Indian tells the story of his first year living with the Pikuni tribe of Blackfeet Indians East of Glacier. In 1911, he associated himself with publishers Houghton Mifflin who published Schultz's subsequent books for the next 30 years. In all, Schultz wrote and published 37 fiction and non-fiction books dealing with the Blackfoot, Kootenai, and Flathead Indians. His works received critical literary acclaim from the general media as well as academia for his story telling and contributions to ethnology. Sometime after 1902, while living in Southern California, Schultz worked for a while as the literary editor of the Los Angeles Times.
James Willard Schultz (J.W. Schultz) started writing at the age of 21, publishing articles and stories in Forest and Stream for 15 years. He did not write his first book until 1907 at age 48. The memoir: ''My Life as an Indian tells the story of his first year living with the Pikuni tribe of Blackfeet Indians East of Glacier. In 1911, he associated himself with publishers Houghton Mifflin who published Schultz's subsequent books for the next 30 years. In all, Schultz wrote and published 37 fiction and non-fiction books dealing with the Blackfoot, Kootenai, and Flathead Indians. His works received critical literary acclaim from the general media as well as academia for his story telling and contributions to ethnology. Sometime after 1902, while living in Southern California, Schultz worked for a while as the literary editor of the Los Angeles Times.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
January 2, 2024
an astonishing story
I can just imagine how excited I’d be as a 14 or 15 year old invited to join the voyageurs on their year long journey from Montreal by canoe to the Canadian Rockies! Then to be attached to the Peigan Nation and journey south through what is now Montana hunting buffalo and learning all the ways of the Blackfeet.
Because I know intimately the places mentioned in this record - Belly River, Bow River, Oldman River, Chief Mountain - it makes the story all the more meaningful to me. Ah how thick this land was with the buffalo herds not so very long ago.
Often enough these sorts of accounts are interesting but slow moving. Not here. This one reads like a fast-paced novel. Every page is fascinating. Never, as they say, a dull moment.
Highly recommended. Five solid stars.
I can just imagine how excited I’d be as a 14 or 15 year old invited to join the voyageurs on their year long journey from Montreal by canoe to the Canadian Rockies! Then to be attached to the Peigan Nation and journey south through what is now Montana hunting buffalo and learning all the ways of the Blackfeet.
Because I know intimately the places mentioned in this record - Belly River, Bow River, Oldman River, Chief Mountain - it makes the story all the more meaningful to me. Ah how thick this land was with the buffalo herds not so very long ago.
Often enough these sorts of accounts are interesting but slow moving. Not here. This one reads like a fast-paced novel. Every page is fascinating. Never, as they say, a dull moment.
Highly recommended. Five solid stars.
September 15, 2021
Interesting read
If all of the stories are true, this account of young Hugh is quite amazing.
The exploration of new territories and adventures with Native Americans are truly amazing.
This is the first book about his first years with the Blackfoots and as soon as he gave his report on trapping and trade with the Blackfeet , he was sent right back out to explore more of the country sides.
If all of the stories are true, this account of young Hugh is quite amazing.
The exploration of new territories and adventures with Native Americans are truly amazing.
This is the first book about his first years with the Blackfoots and as soon as he gave his report on trapping and trade with the Blackfeet , he was sent right back out to explore more of the country sides.
May 13, 2020
I really enjoyed this non-fiction historical account of one man's journey living with the Blackfoot tribe in the 1800s. We follow him on his journey and learn a lot about life among this tribe, including chasing down buffalos, living with bears and trade with people from Canada.
February 17, 2019
This is a fascinating, though limited book about the first year that Hugh Monroe lives on the plains with the Blackfeet Indian tribe. It is short and to the point, and would have been more interesting if it continued beyond just his first year. Here are some things I learned reading this book:
1. Hugh Monroe grew up in Montreal and his parents agreed to let him go work for the Hudson's Bay Company in Saskatchewan. He left Montreal just before he turned 16!?! and never saw his parents again. He says in the book that he begged and begged his parents to allow him to go because he loved the wilderness and they finally relented. I guess you cannot accuse them of being helicopter parents, though this does seem a tad early to let your teen go off for the rest of his life.
2. Unsurprisingly, the Indian tribes (like all humans) were quite sociable people among themselves, they just hated each other. The factor of the Hudson's Bay Company needs someone who can translate the Blackfeet language, and the guy doing it before Hugh was awful (which is one of the funnier parts of the book). The factor sends Hugh off—he is now 17, as it took 14 months for him to reach Saskatchewan from Montreal—to live with the Blackfeet tribe for a year and learn their language. The factor sweetens the pot for the Blackfeet chief by promising him guns and other trade goods if Hugh returns safely. Hugh is accepted into the tribe and essentially becomes a member of the Blackfeet tribe (he will die at the age of 98! living in or near the Blackfeet Indian reservation). He discovers that the Blackfeet are great people to each other (in general), it's just the other Indian tribes they hate, like the Crow Indians. They take every opportunity to raid each other's horses and kill each other if they can.
3. Hugh Monroe ends up being the first white person in much (but not all) of the country that the Blackfeet traverse that year. He has many adventures and almost dies in several ways, being run over by buffaloes, coming face to face with a mother mountain lion and her cubs, almost being killed by Crow scouts, being in battle against the Crows, and finally going into a Crow village to see if they are interested in peace.
4. When the Blackfeet and the Crow Indians finally do agree to a peace treaty, Hugh thinks it is because he made a speech in which he changed the minds of those Crows that were opposed to a peace treaty. He finds out later, that they decided to agree to peace when they found out that they could get guns and ammo from the Hudson's Bay Company in exchange for furs.
5. Here is the funny exchange when we learn that factor needs a new interpreter:
"Each chief made a long speech, and at the end of it the interpreter would say: 'He says dat he is friend to whites. He say dat you his brudder. He say dat he give you hees pack of furs what hees woman she has dere!'
'And what else did he say?" the factor would ask.
'An dat is all.'
'And that is all! Huh!' the factor exclaimed. 'Here we have had long speeches, matters of importance to the trade may have been touched upon, and you can't tell me what has been said! I told you a year ago, Antoine, to study this language, but you do not improve in it. If anything your interpreting is worse that it was last spring!'
'But what can I do? My woman she is mad all the time. She say Blackfoot language no good; no will talk it. So me, I no can learn.'"
And cue the need for Hugh Monroe at 17 years old.
I did enjoy reading this book (free from Gutenberg.org)
1. Hugh Monroe grew up in Montreal and his parents agreed to let him go work for the Hudson's Bay Company in Saskatchewan. He left Montreal just before he turned 16!?! and never saw his parents again. He says in the book that he begged and begged his parents to allow him to go because he loved the wilderness and they finally relented. I guess you cannot accuse them of being helicopter parents, though this does seem a tad early to let your teen go off for the rest of his life.
2. Unsurprisingly, the Indian tribes (like all humans) were quite sociable people among themselves, they just hated each other. The factor of the Hudson's Bay Company needs someone who can translate the Blackfeet language, and the guy doing it before Hugh was awful (which is one of the funnier parts of the book). The factor sends Hugh off—he is now 17, as it took 14 months for him to reach Saskatchewan from Montreal—to live with the Blackfeet tribe for a year and learn their language. The factor sweetens the pot for the Blackfeet chief by promising him guns and other trade goods if Hugh returns safely. Hugh is accepted into the tribe and essentially becomes a member of the Blackfeet tribe (he will die at the age of 98! living in or near the Blackfeet Indian reservation). He discovers that the Blackfeet are great people to each other (in general), it's just the other Indian tribes they hate, like the Crow Indians. They take every opportunity to raid each other's horses and kill each other if they can.
3. Hugh Monroe ends up being the first white person in much (but not all) of the country that the Blackfeet traverse that year. He has many adventures and almost dies in several ways, being run over by buffaloes, coming face to face with a mother mountain lion and her cubs, almost being killed by Crow scouts, being in battle against the Crows, and finally going into a Crow village to see if they are interested in peace.
4. When the Blackfeet and the Crow Indians finally do agree to a peace treaty, Hugh thinks it is because he made a speech in which he changed the minds of those Crows that were opposed to a peace treaty. He finds out later, that they decided to agree to peace when they found out that they could get guns and ammo from the Hudson's Bay Company in exchange for furs.
5. Here is the funny exchange when we learn that factor needs a new interpreter:
"Each chief made a long speech, and at the end of it the interpreter would say: 'He says dat he is friend to whites. He say dat you his brudder. He say dat he give you hees pack of furs what hees woman she has dere!'
'And what else did he say?" the factor would ask.
'An dat is all.'
'And that is all! Huh!' the factor exclaimed. 'Here we have had long speeches, matters of importance to the trade may have been touched upon, and you can't tell me what has been said! I told you a year ago, Antoine, to study this language, but you do not improve in it. If anything your interpreting is worse that it was last spring!'
'But what can I do? My woman she is mad all the time. She say Blackfoot language no good; no will talk it. So me, I no can learn.'"
And cue the need for Hugh Monroe at 17 years old.
I did enjoy reading this book (free from Gutenberg.org)
August 12, 2022
Rising Wolf, the White Blackfoot: Hugh Monroe's Story of His First Year on the Plains is written by a young lad, Hugh Monroe who was sent west in the late 1700's/early 1800's to learn the fur trade in northwest area of the U.S. Hence he lived in Blackfoot and Crow India habitats. He became very interested in the "Way of Indian Life" living and eventually becoming a member of the Black Foot nation. His writing's provide initially invaluable information of the life and beliefs of the Blackfeet and Crow Indians along many of the other plains Indians.
September 12, 2016
Among the Blackfeet Indians
A young boy from a Canadian upper class family aspires to
learn the fur trading business. Before he is sixteen years old he joins a trading group and is sent far from home. There he is assigned into the care of a Blackfoot Indian Chief with whom he travels, learns the Indian way of life, and comes to love them. Through them he learns the trapper trade and returns to the Trading Fort more a man than a boy.
A book for the historian, researcher, and general reader both young and old.
A young boy from a Canadian upper class family aspires to
learn the fur trading business. Before he is sixteen years old he joins a trading group and is sent far from home. There he is assigned into the care of a Blackfoot Indian Chief with whom he travels, learns the Indian way of life, and comes to love them. Through them he learns the trapper trade and returns to the Trading Fort more a man than a boy.
A book for the historian, researcher, and general reader both young and old.
April 8, 2025
James Willard Schultz chronicles the story of Hugh Monroe, a young man who was taken in by the Blackfoot Indian tribe. Monroe was taken in, accepted by the Blackfoot group and given the name Rising Wolf. The story depicts how he was transformed from an outsider to a respected member of the tribe. He learned the ways of the Blackfoot people, and formed deep friendships as he became immersed in the culture. This is a very well written and informative, although short book. There are great descriptions of his Native American experience and the beauty of the wilderness setting in which he lived. There are other books in the series. I am excited to read those, as well. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in Native American history and culture.
May 23, 2019
What A Fantastic Story Teller
I grew up in Minnesota and became friend with native Americans in my early youth. I have always loved going with my husband and children out West during the summers for many years. this was the West of Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado. the whole feel of the gorgeous land out there was for me like being home. my affinity towards native Americans and the love of the land yearns to be back in time when I could live with the Blackfeet, their families, and live the honest, loving, nature respecting way of life.
I grew up in Minnesota and became friend with native Americans in my early youth. I have always loved going with my husband and children out West during the summers for many years. this was the West of Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado. the whole feel of the gorgeous land out there was for me like being home. my affinity towards native Americans and the love of the land yearns to be back in time when I could live with the Blackfeet, their families, and live the honest, loving, nature respecting way of life.
September 14, 2025
Extremely fun and adventurous Book… I wonder why so few people know about these books.
I was really impressed with the honor and bravery of Hugh Monroe telling the Chiefs to try to make peace… with the river people first(the flathead Indians) and also the bravery of towing the enemy chief not to kill women or children… and that this was a cowardly thing to do. All of the adventures with fighting the grizzly bear, the stampeding Buffalo, discovering the crow party hiding in the cave, the adventures trapping wolves and Beaver and many other things make this a must read book.
I was really impressed with the honor and bravery of Hugh Monroe telling the Chiefs to try to make peace… with the river people first(the flathead Indians) and also the bravery of towing the enemy chief not to kill women or children… and that this was a cowardly thing to do. All of the adventures with fighting the grizzly bear, the stampeding Buffalo, discovering the crow party hiding in the cave, the adventures trapping wolves and Beaver and many other things make this a must read book.
October 11, 2018
Read about land and people as among them now gone so gone
Appreciation of the Native Americans in this Country long before even white trappers roamed the wilderness. When buffalo in their millions daily nourished the noble Blackfeet and Crows with food shelter clothing and tools. Share in the daily lives and wonder sadly they who lived in social structures perhaps surpassing ours.
Appreciation of the Native Americans in this Country long before even white trappers roamed the wilderness. When buffalo in their millions daily nourished the noble Blackfeet and Crows with food shelter clothing and tools. Share in the daily lives and wonder sadly they who lived in social structures perhaps surpassing ours.
February 24, 2021
An excellent description of how the Indians lived before the white man's influence took over their way of life. A lesson for all of us which we should study and learn that even today shows there is still time for our mistakes to be corrected. description of how the Indians lies lived
There is nothing that needs correcting. The book ably demonstrates that we have a long way to go before we become truly civilized.
There is nothing that needs correcting. The book ably demonstrates that we have a long way to go before we become truly civilized.
February 23, 2023
Shultz writes with the knowledge of having lived the life.
What an Intriguing and exciting life Monroe must have led.
If that was 2 years worth I’d like to see a further 10 years or more.
For all lovers of the wild open places, the rivers, lakes and streams. The mountains, plains and woodlands, the vast swathes of prairies untouched by white civilisation, this narrative takes you there.
I can imagine it all through his eyes.
What a life and what a storyteller.
What an Intriguing and exciting life Monroe must have led.
If that was 2 years worth I’d like to see a further 10 years or more.
For all lovers of the wild open places, the rivers, lakes and streams. The mountains, plains and woodlands, the vast swathes of prairies untouched by white civilisation, this narrative takes you there.
I can imagine it all through his eyes.
What a life and what a storyteller.
December 31, 2019
Top of my chart !
Just exactly what I was looking for in a good 👍read. I had a hard time putting in down. Although it would make for a exciting picturesque movie it could never out do the simulation given to the brain by the author. Theatre of the mind Rocks ! Thank you James Shultz.
Just exactly what I was looking for in a good 👍read. I had a hard time putting in down. Although it would make for a exciting picturesque movie it could never out do the simulation given to the brain by the author. Theatre of the mind Rocks ! Thank you James Shultz.
June 29, 2017
History of the Frontier
Good text describing the entry of the frontier fur trade and the native Americans response to that activity. The incredible life of Hugh Monroe is a portrait of the daring forage of these men. Schultz brings his characters to life with great detail.
Good text describing the entry of the frontier fur trade and the native Americans response to that activity. The incredible life of Hugh Monroe is a portrait of the daring forage of these men. Schultz brings his characters to life with great detail.
August 16, 2017
A surprisingly good read
The storyteller has a knack for a good narrative and the ability to help the reader see very clearly what he saw as it was happening . I am searching for more about Hugh Monroe, Rising Wolf.
The storyteller has a knack for a good narrative and the ability to help the reader see very clearly what he saw as it was happening . I am searching for more about Hugh Monroe, Rising Wolf.
May 5, 2019
Quite a life!
An amazing life for a 16-year-old in the mid-1800s . Living with the Indians and learning to hunt and trap their ways . Interesting read keeps your attention at all times .
An amazing life for a 16-year-old in the mid-1800s . Living with the Indians and learning to hunt and trap their ways . Interesting read keeps your attention at all times .
November 2, 2019
Fantastic Reading!
Really fascinating account of a young white man traveling with native Americans in lands unspoiled by white settlers from the East. This is a story of his travels in the first year.
Really fascinating account of a young white man traveling with native Americans in lands unspoiled by white settlers from the East. This is a story of his travels in the first year.
November 2, 2019
Excellent telling of this fascinating period
Told in High Monroe's own words. Interesting background on the Indian Nations and their use of the lands they traditionally called their own.
Told in High Monroe's own words. Interesting background on the Indian Nations and their use of the lands they traditionally called their own.
November 3, 2019
Excellent read!
A wonderful depiction of historical events from the point of view of a man who experienced it first hand! Full of action and suspense, this story is about the pursuit of peace.
A wonderful depiction of historical events from the point of view of a man who experienced it first hand! Full of action and suspense, this story is about the pursuit of peace.
November 15, 2019
Walking the same path!
I found the account of Hugh's travels with the tribe across the uncharted lands of the Indian territories very interesting, it was as if I was following on the same path of my great grandfathers, the first white settlers in what is now the state of WV.
I found the account of Hugh's travels with the tribe across the uncharted lands of the Indian territories very interesting, it was as if I was following on the same path of my great grandfathers, the first white settlers in what is now the state of WV.
November 19, 2019
Unique Perspective
The story of the first year of a white merchant among the Blackfoot - including descriptions of ceremonies, social structure and daily life. A first person account of life with a Native American community in the mid 1800s. Good read.
The story of the first year of a white merchant among the Blackfoot - including descriptions of ceremonies, social structure and daily life. A first person account of life with a Native American community in the mid 1800s. Good read.
November 23, 2019
Wonder Story
This book have me an entirely new perspective on how I thought the Native Americans lived. I think it should be required reading in Middle Schools.
They were not savages. They had a wonderful civilization.
This book have me an entirely new perspective on how I thought the Native Americans lived. I think it should be required reading in Middle Schools.
They were not savages. They had a wonderful civilization.
December 24, 2019
Fascinating book
The author gives a look at what day to day life was like; as well as, relations between tribes.
The book answered many questions I had. The story was well written and easy to follow.
The author gives a look at what day to day life was like; as well as, relations between tribes.
The book answered many questions I had. The story was well written and easy to follow.
March 29, 2020
Great historical frontier tale.
A good read. A tale of Hugh Monroe’s frontier adventures and education as a teenager with the fierce Blackfoot nation at the beginning of the mountain man era.
A good read. A tale of Hugh Monroe’s frontier adventures and education as a teenager with the fierce Blackfoot nation at the beginning of the mountain man era.
May 16, 2020
Awesome story! Even better if you know the geography if Montana!
Again awesome story of Wolf Rising. Many places having modern names listed as well. A great piece of native history.
Again awesome story of Wolf Rising. Many places having modern names listed as well. A great piece of native history.
November 28, 2020
The cover picture is misleading.
Good reading, well written, always loved reading about the Indian ways of surviving on the plains.
Wish he had written more about his life with the black feet.
Good reading, well written, always loved reading about the Indian ways of surviving on the plains.
Wish he had written more about his life with the black feet.
April 13, 2021
History
I enjoyed this tale of times long, long ago. I have always felt so sad for the loss of the animals on the great plains. Just too many people for the resources. And their waste.
But it is history we should all learn from.
I enjoyed this tale of times long, long ago. I have always felt so sad for the loss of the animals on the great plains. Just too many people for the resources. And their waste.
But it is history we should all learn from.
July 24, 2022
The truest pioneer spirit and good friendship between white people and natives. Hugh Monroe gained a real appreciate and nuanced viewpoint for his time and James Schultz did a fine job of conveying his story.
October 19, 2017
This book was well written a nd interesting. It presented a view of life in an Indian village in an interesting way.
February 25, 2019
A fascinating account of a year among the Blackfoot Tribe in the early Nineteenth Century.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews