1. Name: Miigwech Asabiikone-zaaga'iganiing (it means "Thank you, fishing lake"). That is my given Ojibwe name.

My parents died soon after I was born. I was adopted by a Chippewa family. They called me "Mindy"

I only say my Ojibwe name when it is absolutely necessary. Otherwise, it is a private matter between my parents and God.

2. Date of Birth: January 14, 1883

3. Place of Birth: Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, Montana

4. Parents: The parents who raised me were named Alo and Abeque.

5. Siblings: Chitto (1881-), Hakan (1883-), Keezheekoni (1885-)

6. Describe your childhood. My parents owned a dry goods store/trading post in Lewistown, Montana. We lived in an apartment over the store. My mother made us read books in the summer when school was not in session. I am grateful for her devotion to education.

7. What did you enjoy doing as a child? Playing in the park with my sister. We used to have terrible fights over the dumbest stuff.

8. What is your earliest memory? Sitting on my grandmother's lap playing paddy-cakes.

9. How old were you when you went on your first date and where did you go? 14. I went to the carnival in Havre with a local boy named Ryan Gil. I was so nervous. He tried to kiss me in the fun house. I ended up pushing him through a wacky mirror.

He wasn't hurt just embarrased. I did not intend to push him so hard, I was merely chiding him for being too fresh. He was wearing a thick coat so only his ego was bruised. We were asked to leave the carnival.

Back home, at the train depot, I ended up giving him a big kiss on the lips but that was only because my sister Keezy was there to pick me up.

10. Married? Happily. Running Bear. May 22, 1905

11. Pets? When I was eight my parents gave me a llama for my birthday. I named him "Misun" which means "Little Brother."

12. Education: Lewiston High School, class of 1901. BA in Motion Picture Production, Jennings University, 1905.

13. Current friends: Laurene Killingsworth, Becky Holliman, Misty Stuart

14. Occupation: My title is Montana Cultural Ambassador.

15. What was your first job? Working in the store.

16. How much did you make? Nothing, officially, but my parents were able to pay for my college.

17. What is your favorite quote? "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest." - Mark Twain

18. What are you doing now? Reviewing some postcards of Pompey's Pillar. I can't believe we were there for two days and it never once stopped raining.

"I remember. Lynn got so sick and had to stay in the hotel back in Billings."

20. Do you admire a famous person? Ed McGivern, noted sharp shooter and revolver expert. He grew up on a ranch a couple of miles from me. Every July Fourth he'd do a new shooting trick.

21. What makes them admirable? Ed is an amazingly talented performer. He loves his people and he is always willing to sign autographs after a show.

22. What is your favorite food? Cinnamon sticks.

23. What is your favorite color? Mauve

24. What is your favorite song? Cherokee Morning Song. I learned it from a Cherokee friend at Jennings.

"A man named Johnny Longbow and his group sang that at the Eagle Creek Music Festival in July!" -EJC

25. Hobbies: I like to make moccasins. My mother taught me as a child. I used to sell them at the store. I now give them away whenever we give a lecture about film making or Indian culture.

26. Name of the last book you read? Multitude and Solitude by John Masefield

27. Tell me about a memorable moment in your life; a time you will never forget. When I was fourteen, a white man came into our store. He wanted to see the owner because "I don't talk to no savages." My father tried to convince him that he was the sole owner of the store. The man became frustrated, said something horrible about my father's ancestory and left in a huff.

Several hours later, he reluctantly returned needing to buy some grease for his wagon wheel. His wagon was stuck, five miles out of town.

My father replied to his request with stone silence. Finally he said, "Get out of my store."

"You can't just leave me here" the man pleaded.

Dad said nothing. The man left with his tail between his legs.

When he was half way down the block my father walked towards him and tossed a can in the air towards the man. He caught it. It was a can of Brave Bear Wheel Grease.

My dad smiled at him and said, "It's on the house."

The man mumbled, "Thanks" and disappeared down the street. My guess is he learned a valuable lesson that day about treating people with respect.

28. What things do you find yourself doing that you said you'd never do? Driving across the prairie in a truck. I hate travelling, but, I want to make this film so it has to be done.

29. What are the goals you are still working toward? I'd like to raise a family someday. Hopefully, Running Bear and I can settle in Helena when the film is complete.

30. When people look back at your life, how do you want to be remembered? As an expert filmmaker. I don't care if they know I am an Indian or not. It drives me crazy to be introduced as a woman and an Indian as if that makes my educational accomplishments miraculous. I realize the one doing the announcement does not mean to insult me but it always come across as being shallow.

31. What is your favorite outdoor activity? Picnics.

32. Do you attend church or religious services? I attend West Helena Church of Christ

33. What is your favorite Bible verse? Psalm 85:8

34. What makes you happy? Seeing people care for each other in various circumstances.

35. What makes you sad? Prejudice

36. What frightens you? Wolves. I saw one kill a rabbit when I was about six-years-old. Since then, I have been terrified of them.

37. What is there about you that would surprise people if they found out? When I was sixteen, my best friend Laurene Killingsworth and I took a train trip to Havre. We dressed up fancy and went to a bar. The warm beer made me almost throw up.

Laureen played a nickle slot machine and won $20. We started screaming and jumping up and down like a couple of sixteen-year-old girls. The bartender had doubts about our age when we came in; now, our antics at the slot machine, confirmed we were not eighteen.

He kicked us out but let us have $5 from the winnings if we promised not to tell the sheriff.