Chief Plenty Coups - Alaxchíia Ahú - Notable Native Americans
Chief Plenty Coups was the principal chief of the Crow Nation and a visionary leader. He allied himself and his Crow people very early on with the Anglos during westward expansion, believing it was the only way for his people's survival. Chief Plenty Coups became a chief at the age of twenty-eight. A very spiritual man, his power among the Crow people grew as his visions and prophecies as a youth came true. He was also a wise and eloquent speaker. He was also selected to represent the Crow in Washington, D.C., where he fought successfully against U.S. senators' plans to abolish the Crow nation and take away their lands. He made many trips to Washington over ten years to protect his people.
"Education is your greatest weapon. With education you are the white man's equal, without education you are his victim and so shall remain all of your lives. Study, learn, help one another always. Remember there is only poverty and misery in idleness and dreams – but in work there is self respect and independence."
