This is southern Montana’s (Crow Reservation) alternative to government boarding schools.

This Antler school was  open for any child that could get there.  It was 1924. It was located about 10 “up the Little Big Horn River. My Dad is is in this picture, he is to the right of the boy with a big hat.  His father, J. R. Boyd, an early pioneer settler, was educated at a Pittsburgh Military School. Education was important to him and this was the first school in the Little Horn Valley. The next picture is the teacher. Some Crow parents were skeptical, as many children were being forced to go to an Indian boarding school Indian fathers came, sat near their child and learned English ...and made sure his child was not abused. At that time the relations were very strained. This picture was taken in 1924.

 Below you will see a  reservation grade school, grades 1-8  Wyola Grade School, This picture was taken in 1945. My brothers teacher was Mrs. Montgomery, ( grades 1 and 2)  the Indian fathers took turns  sitting on the floor, watching, and learning.

This teacher was certainly an amazing teacher. Everyone left her room in the spring and able to read fluently and do their math.  She had between 35-50  students at any one time. My brother stated that the day started when she pulled a clean mans handkerchief. She would start at one side of the room talking and wiping runny noses in the winter...yes the same one for everyone.   They always said the pledge of allegiance and sang a song.  1952