Joseph Brown Upham “Iron Shield” (Amskapi Pikuni storyteller)

Joseph “Iron Shield” Brown Upham was born on Kennedy Creek north of Babb, Montana on October 22, 1899. He was the oldest child of Billy Heavy Runner aka William “Comes-with-the-Rattles” Upham. His mother was Antonia “Bells-Come-Ringing” Upham. He had a younger brother named, Donald “Doc” Upham. Joseph’s parents were born in tipis and their parents followed the buffalo herds and participated in ceremonies with the rest of their Nation. Yet, these young parents were learning how to live in this new world, borrowing traditions from both. If someone had a good friend, they’d often ask if they could name their child after them. Billy Upham had a friend named, Joseph Brown. So he named his first child, Joseph Brown Upham. In the small community they befriend the local doctor whose first name was Donald. They name their second son Donald Upham and gave him the nickname “Doc”. They had other children, but infant mortality was high in those early days of the reservation and no other children survived past infancy. Joseph Iron Shield Upham spent his early years in Babb, but in his later teens his parents moved to Cut Bank, Montana where he went to high school. When he was a young teen he seen and heard his first fiddle and was fascinated. He asked his parents if they could buy one for him, but it was an expensive item to buy a good one. They purchased an used one and told him if he was diligent in practicing, they would consider getting him a nice one. He took lessons and practiced and by the time he graduated high school, his parents bought him a better fiddle. He later learned to play the piano and clarinet. His life-long love of music was passed down to his many sons, who all played musical instruments. Joseph’s parents told him many stories of our People. This included the massacre that took the life of his grandfather, Chief Heavy Runner and many members of his band. They regaled him with stories of Napi the Blackfeet trickster. Joseph loved telling stories and passed this tradition down to some of his children and grandchildren. Joseph often told them, “Never forget these stories.” He felt it was very important that we remembered who we are and to tell as many people in what ever way possible.

Written by Raven Heavy Runner, Iron Shield grandson