Chief Chauncey Yellow Robe, a remarkable Sičhą́ǧú (Rosebud Sioux) individual, left an indelible mark on the world as an educator, lecturer, actor, and Native American activist.
Born in 1867, Yellow Robe was given the name Canowicakte, meaning "kill in woods," and was affectionately nicknamed "Timber" during his youth.
His journey took him to Carlisle Indian School, a Native American boarding school, where he graduated in 1895. For the next 32 years, he dedicated his life to education, working under the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
In 1915, Yellow Robe became a devoted member of the Masonic Lodge of Rapid City, South Dakota, where he spent the majority of his life as a teacher and counselor.
In 1928, his life took an unexpected turn when he met Molly Spotted Elk at the American Museum of Natural History. She introduced him to film directors Douglas Burden and William Chanler, who offered him a role as an Indian chief in their upcoming film.
Initially, Yellow Robe declined the offer due to the negative portrayals of Native Americans in cinema. However, his daughter Rosebud Yellow Robe persuaded him to reconsider after being assured by Burden that the film would provide an honest depiction of Native American life.
Convinced by the promise, Yellow Robe traveled to Arnprior and Lake Temagami in Ontario, Canada, to shoot the film. He portrayed the role of Chief Chetoga in the historical drama film The Silent Enemy, which was released in 1930.
The film, partially funded by the American Museum of Natural History, depicted the complex drama of an Ojibwe tribal life before the arrival of Europeans. Yellow Robe played a leading role and contributed to the technical direction. The cast consisted solely of Native Americans, although the appearance of Chief Buffalo Child Long Lance, whose ancestry was questioned, later complicated this fact.
Yellow Robe's most notable contribution to the film was his sound-on-film speech introduction, in which he greeted the audience, praised the story, and expressed hope for the Ojibwe tribe's future.
Chief Chauncey Yellow Robe's remarkable life and contributions continue to inspire and educate people to this day.
