A new ‘Buzz’ to be found in Lame Deer

LAME DEER, Mont. – Used to be that in Lame Deer, MT if a person needed a haircut, trim or spiffy braid job, that person had to travel off of the Reservation.  The nearest location being Colstrip, next nearest Hardin, MT and finally Billings.  Most wound up in Billings because of the many choices.

Now, in the last year that has changed. Morning Star Elite, a barbershop opened its doors last year by leasing a spot at the Mini-mall in the heart of Lame Deer.

“It has long been my dream to provide services to tribal members on the Reservation,” Bobbi reported “and now it has come true.”

Cedric Neal, Bobbi’s companion, with forty years of experience and licensed by the State of Montana is also essential to the operation. “I fell in love with Bobbi Jo and when she wanted a barbershop, she got one,” he grinned. During the week Neal works at Rebels and Razors in Billings, but spends the weekends along with Bobbi Jo in Lame Deer at Morning Star Elite.

Off-reservation, Neal explained that it is necessary to obtain a State license to barber, often difficult requiring both book work, hands on training and a very thorough test. Presently, Lucas Morrison, Northern Cheyenne is getting fully trained by Neal and looks forward to the day when he can become licensed which is not necessary on the Reservation.

Although she couldn’t find any financing, Limberhand and Neal managed to design and equip a state-of-the art barbershop. “These are the best chairs in the State of Montana,” she said proudly.  Other improvements included water, drainage, repairing floors and barber stations all paid out-of-pocket by Limberhand and Neal.

During the first brief year of operations, Morning Star Elite has already given much back to the community. In cooperation with local schools, all students who bring in a straight A report card receive free haircuts. “You’d be pleasantly surprised how many there are,” Bobbi smiled.

“I tell them to come in every two weeks to keep sharp-looking,” Neal added.

Also, in conjunction with the tribal Board of Health they did 135 haircuts last fall as part of a “Back-to-School Bash.” Plans are currently underway to recruit a braider for the long locks that many Cheyenne men sport. They also hope to recruit and/or train a hairdresser for women’s styles.

Open 7-days per week, most visits are on a walk-in basis, although it is possible to make reservations on the Facebook page Morning Star Elite. Earlier, this reporter noticed that Morning Star Elite is quickly becoming a hangout spot for males who can be found there gossiping, story-telling and joking around. “Everyone is welcome and we want people to feel at home here,” Bobbi commented.

“We have been asked to assist people in starting barbershops on other reservations and we hope to expand by offering similar services in Ashland. (another district of the Northern Cheyenne Nation). We are willing to help and can be reached on Facebbok.” 

(Contact Clara Caufield at acheyennereview@gmail.com)

The post A new ‘Buzz’ to be found in Lame Deer first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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