New Book Spotlights Area’s Street People
A new publication spotlighting a slice of the Fort Peck Reservation is being released. Author/photographer Robert Osborn has finished The Street People of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, which features pages after pages of stunning photos from the Wolf Point and Poplar areas.
Wolf Point resident Don La Roque played an instrumental part in the book as he helped introduce individuals to be photographed by Osborn.
“It took seven years to get completed,” La Roque said. “I helped coordinate the subject and introduced Robert to them. He became my adoptive brother.”
Osborn, who resides in Livingston, explained about La Roque, “He was the first person who recognized what I was trying to do. He introduced me to people and opened doors for me. My relationship with Don La Roque is an amazing part of my life.”
La Roque added that he is pretty proud of the book and was pleased that the majority of the street people approached were willing to be photographed.
“They were open to it,” La Roque explained. “It was like they wanted us to preserve their story.”
La Roque would often buy them breakfast and Osborn will provide individuals with jackets and gloves.
“We treated them like humans,” La Roque noted.
Osborn said there were several highlights of the project for him. Prior to the experience, he describes himself as a white guy in a white world.
“I discovered reservations are primarily third world countries in the United States. Reservations are rough,” he said. Osborn added that street people are then ranked below other Native Americans. “That’s doubly rough.”
Another highlight for him was building relationships with the street people.
“After a while, we got to know each other,” he said. “Some of the street people turned into friends of mine.” Osborn, La Roque and the photo subjects enjoyed some meaningful dinners together. “They allowed me into their lives. They have a cool sense of humor,” Osborn said. “I was honored that they allowed me into their lives.”
The result was an impressive work of art. Osborn, 87, says he has taken photographs since he was 10 years old and has been a professional photographer for 50 years. “This is the best art I’ve done in my own life,” he noted. “This is deep art that affects you if it’s good. I want it to affect their hearts.”
La Roque, a recovered alcoholic, hopes the book will bring awareness to the challenges created by alcohol on the Fort Peck Reservation.
“I just got tired of being sick and tired,” he said of his recovery.
He explained that prohibition was lifted for Native Americans in 1953.
“In 1953, that’s when the party got started here. It’s been wreaking havoc on my tribe ever since,” La Roque said. “We didn’t invite it here. The state of Montana wanted it here.”
He said that Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte is aware of the book. La Roque said that the tribes can’t sell alcohol, but the tribes have to take care of their people suffering from alcohol’s impacts.
A reception and release of the book is scheduled in Bozeman during March. Displays on street people photographs will take place at the CMR Museum in Great Falls later this year.
“A goal is to bring public awareness of the alcohol problems,” La Roque said.
Osborn explained that there isn’t a solution that he knows of regarding the street people’s challenges. Perhaps, some one will see the book and come up with answers, maybe a shining light will result in a positive outcome.
“These people got to my heart,” Osborn said.
