THIS IS INDIAN LAND: GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

By: Jessica Mehta

“The Crown of the Continent” is what anthropologist George Bird Grinnell called the Glacier National Park area. He explored the region in 1885, but he was certainly not the first to experience the majestic beauty of the land. Native Tribes lived here for thousands of years before Europeans arrived. Archaeological evidence suggests that these Tribes lived in the Glacier National Park area as far back as 10,000 years ago, using the lands for fishing and hunting, gathering plants, and sacred ceremonial practices. The Blackfeet occupied and maintained much of the eastern area while the Salish, Pend d’Oreille, and Kootenai inhabited much of the forested area on the western side.

To the Blackfeet, the mountains of Glacier National Park are the backbone of the world. The region’s importance was revered in their community and honored for centuries. Unfortunately, the familiar story how Native Americans have been treated in our shared history did not spare the Tribes living in what is now often called Montana. In 1895, the Blackfeet and neighboring Tribes were pressured by the U.S. government to sell their land.

Not many in the Tribes wanted to do this, but they were told they could retain their hunting and gathering rights. Since the inception of what is typically called the United States today, the government has made and broken over 500 treaties with various Native tribes, including those who had long inhabited Glacier National Park. It only took 15 years for these promised rights to be nullified, causing tensions that continued for decades. Today, relationships between Park officials and Tribal members have improved and brought forth a collaborative approach to land management and conservation. For example, visitors can connect with the histories and peoples of the land through a summer performance and presentation series by members of the Blackfeet, Salish, Kootenai and Kalispel tribes.

TRIBAL STATUS

The Blackfeet Indian Reservation was established in 1885 and is located in northwest Montana. It is home to over 17,300 members and spans about 1.5 million acres, making it one of the ten largest Tribes in the country today. They have worked for decades to regain water rights in the area and are fighting for allowances to use the water to help guarantee a sustainable future for their members. The area’s resources are abundant and boasts over 500 miles of streams and 180 bodies of water. One of the Blackfeet’s main food sources was the buffalo. Blackfeet are traditionally nomadic, generally following where the buffalo roamed, and as such were skilled hunters and warriors. They call themselves Niitsitapi (nee-itsee-TAH-peh), which means “the real people.”

Today, the Flathead Reservation is home to three Tribes—the Bitterroot Salish, the Kootenai, and the Upper Pend d’Oreille. These tribes make up the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation. In 1855, the Hellgate Treaty was established, but about 50 years later, over half a million acres were taken from the Tribe’s ownership.

Today, the reservation encompasses over 1.2 million acres of rich fertile lands and beautiful mountain peaks. There are over 7,440 enrolled members of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes and about 65 percent of these members live on the reservation. Generations of interactions with nature, reflection and observations, and utilization of the natural world have provided them with a wealth of knowledge about the unique surrounding environment, allowing for Tribal ways of life to continue and thrive.

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT BLACKFEET TRIBES

If you’re lucky enough to set foot in the breathtaking Glacier National Park, there are many ways to complete your visit by supporting local Indigenous Tribes. Visit the Glacier Peaks Hotel & Casino, owned and operated by the Blackfeet Nation. Close by is the Blackfeet National Bison Reserve, offering stellar views of the sacred animals that were crucial to the Blackfeet survival for centuries. Further your understanding of the Blackfeet people by visiting the Blackfeet Heritage Center and Art Gallery, which showcases local artists, an arts and crafts store, storytelling opportunities by respected Blackfeet elders, and a gift shop with handmade artistry from jewelry to paintings and more. If you’re visiting in the summer months, the second week of July hosts the North American Indian Days Celebration. The festivities include dancing, parades, kids’ tournaments, singing and drum contests, and more. The public is always welcome, making this a great opportunity to witness and learn about traditional Blackfeet traditions.

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THE FLATHEAD UNDIAN RESERVATION TRIBES

The Mission Valley Montana Museums is a collection of museums on the Flathead Indian Reservation. These museums are home to many prolific and significant artifacts from Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribal history. A great feature from this collection is the Three Chiefs Cultural Center (previously named The People’s Center). Their main exhibit room is titled “The First Sun The Beginning” and the gift shop has a wide collection of local Native American artisans’ work such as jewelry, painted skulls, photos and paintings, bead work, and traditional handmade moccasins. They also offer educational demonstrations, gatherings, historical presentations, and more. For more authentic artifacts, visit the Four Winds Indian Trading Post just three miles north of St. Ignatius, Montana. This is the longest operating trading post in Montana and provides a trip back into history. Located in the original log store built in 1870, purchases made here help preserve traditional arts and crafts of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes.

S&K Gaming was created by the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes to oversee general gaming throughout the area. The business is successful and provides employment opportunities for many Tribal members. For gaming opportunities, you can visit the vibrant and fun Gray Wolf Peak Casino, where the winners go to play. Or visit the luxurious and beautiful Kwa’Taq’Nuk Resort and Casino on the shores of Flathead Lake to play and stay. Both locations offer a chance to have great time and also support Indigenous communities. S&K Gaming stands by their statement of: “This isn’t just where we are. It’s who we are,” and they practice sustainability measures to ensure a better future for generations to come.

The area is also home to the Salish Kootenai College, an educational center of excellence for American Indian students. Their mission is to “provide quality post-secondary educational opportunities and support for Native Americans, locally and from throughout the United States, to achieve their academic and career goals.” The college prepares and empowers their students to become leaders and encourages them to get involved in their community through service and research.

NATIVE AMERICA SPEAKS

Photo: NPS/Jon Riner

The National Park Service started the Native America Speaks program in Glacier National Park in 1982. This program is the longest running Indigenous speaker series in the history of the NPS and is an effort to feature authentic voices from the community. From June through August each year, visitors have the opportunity to listen to Tribal members share their history and culture through song, stories and presentations, and unique hands-on learning activities. Through donations from the Glacier National Park Conservancy, Indigenous traditions, histories, beliefs, and customs can be brought to life for visitors coming to this wonder-filled land.

Jessica Mehta is a multi-award winning Aniyunwiya (citizen of the Cherokee Nation) writer and artist. Born and based in Oregon, she takes advantage of her beautiful backyard of the Pacific Northwest on a daily basis. Learn more at:

www.thischerokeerose.com.