A great-granddaughter of Mountain Chief, one of the West's legendary leaders, Elouise Cobell (Yellow Bird Woman) was born into the heritage of Blackfeet activism. She graduated from Great Falls Business College and attended Montana State University. An accountant who was active in community development, Cobell was also involved in many other organizations that benefited Native Indian people.

Cobell never planned to be a banker, but when the residents of Browning, Montana found itself without a bank and had to travel 130 miles to Great Falls, Montana, Cobell sprang into action. She would start...