Potawatomi Writer:
Marty Kreipe De Montano

by Gary E. Mitchell

Book signings on a reservation are an uncommon occurrence and even more rare when it involves an Indian author. When Marty Kreipe De Montano returned to the Potawatomi reservation from the East Coast and signed copies of her new book, Coyote in Love with a Star, it was a rare and special moment indeed. Many years ago, de Montano, a Potawatomi tribal member, graduated from Kansas University with a master’s degree in special studies similar to a museum studies degree. Of course, there were no jobs on the reservation, so she found a position with the George Heye Foundation in New York City. She then left Kansas for New York with her daughter, Molly.

De Montano recalls that coming from Kansas to a house on the edge of Harlem put her through a major culture shock. She didn’t like it there at first. The people seemed rude and pushy. And they all walked so fast—as if they were in a big hurry to accomplish something. Over time, her life became better after she met a man there who she eventually married.

At the Heye Foundation, and later the Smithsonian, De Montano had an opportunity to develop professionally in her chosen field. She worked with an incredible Indian collection including Indian objects from Alaska to South America. George Heye, the founder, went across America during the Great Depression and bought the bulk of his collection. He often read the obituaries and when an Indian collection was mentioned, Heye would promptly buy it.

M.R. Harrington worked for George Heye in 1908 and purchased most of the Potawatomi collection while traveling through this part of the country. This segment of the Heye Collection includes over 700 pieces of Potawatomi work, such as beautiful beaded vests, wooden bowls, spoons, beadwork and medicine bags. De Montano said it was an incredible variety of Potawatomi culture.

Her book, almost an autobiography, tells the adventures of Coyote, who gets lonely in the wide-open spaces of the Potawatomi Reservation in Kansas and moves to New York City in search of work and finds it as a Rodent Control Officer at the World Trade Center. But he is homesick, so at the end of the day, he escapes the crowds by going up to the top of the tower to enjoy the night skies. Here, he discovers a star more beautiful than any he has ever seen. The book offers information and photographs exploring various aspects of Native culture, including a glossary of words in different Indian languages.

Life changed dramatically in New York City after the 9/11 assaults, and De Montano has said she will write another story in the future that will reflect those changes. Life has also changed on the reservation, too, according to De Montano, and she describes a “wonderful transformation.” It’s great to see paved roads and there is a different feeling here. People have hope,” she said. “It’s a different atmosphere here now with so many people employed, and money going into the infrastructure.” She could remember the despair at one time. Someday, she would like to return here and retire, watch her grandchildren grow up, and spend time in the backyard reflecting on life.

Overall, De Montano was overwhelmed with the positive response from the long line of people waiting for an autograph. “It was more than I expected,” she exclaimed—not only from the response on this day from her fellow tribal members, but from the sales of the book that dictated a second printing.