People, Dec. 19, 1960

In a ceremony more feather-filled than a pillow fight, Eleanor Roosevelt, 76, became an honorary Indian six times over in Beverly Hills, Calif. Presented with the traditional caparisons of his tribe by Chief Wah-Nee-Ota of the Creeks, Mrs. Roosevelt was also duly adopted as a member of the Crow, Seminole, Navaho, Apache and Mohawk tribes. The occasion, according to the Indians, was originally inspired by their gratitude to F.D.R., who during a 1938 drought helped them retrieve a sacred beaded thunderbird from the Smithsonian Institution, where it had been gathering dust and...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!