The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe and Flathead Reservation Timeline stretches back into the mists of time, a living testament to the resilience and adaptability of its people. While written records offer glimpses into the past, the most profound and comprehensive histories reside within the oral traditions, collective memories, and vibrant community stories of the Salish, Pend d’Oreille, and Kootenai people. Much of this rich narrative remains undocumented, yet it continues to shape the identity and destiny of the Tribes. This timeline offers a concise overview of key events in the history of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and the Flathead Reservation.
Time Immemorial – The Dawn of Existence:
The narrative begins in a time before time, during the age of the Animal People. Coyote and Fox, central figures in Salish, Pend d’Oreille, and Kootenai cosmology, roamed the nascent earth, shaping the landscape and preparing it for the arrival of human beings. These stories, passed down through generations, embody profound spiritual and cultural significance, providing a framework for understanding the interconnectedness of all living things and the responsibilities humans have to the natural world.
Traditional Life – Flourishing in Ancestral Lands:
For countless generations, the Salish, Pend d’Oreille, and Kootenai people thrived in their vast aboriginal territory. This expansive domain encompassed a significant portion of present-day Montana, extending into parts of Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, and Canada. Adapting to the diverse environments within their territory, they developed sophisticated hunting, fishing, and gathering techniques. The Salish people, in particular, experienced significant population growth, leading to the formation of smaller, independent bands that dispersed across the landscape, each maintaining its unique traditions and governance while remaining connected to the larger Salish community.
Pre-1700 – Prophecy of the Black Robes:
Prior to the arrival of European colonizers, a Salish prophet known as X̌alíqs, or Shining Shirt, foresaw the coming of the "Black Robes," referring to the Catholic Jesuit priests who would later arrive in the region. This prophecy speaks to the deep spiritual awareness of the Salish people and their ability to perceive shifts in the world around them. The anticipation of the Black Robes reflects a period of significant cultural and spiritual preparation for the changes that were to come.
1650 – 1700 – The Acquisition of Horses:
A transformative period arrived with the introduction of the horse. The Salish and Pend d’Oreille acquired horses from the Shoshone, revolutionizing their way of life. Horses enhanced their hunting capabilities, expanded their range of travel, and facilitated trade and communication with neighboring tribes. This new mobility also altered social structures and patterns of warfare, ushering in a new era of intertribal relations.
1775 – The Introduction of Firearms and Shifting Power Dynamics:
The balance of power among tribes in the region was significantly altered by the introduction of firearms. The Blackfeet, through their access to firearms obtained from the Hudson Bay Company in Canada, gained a distinct advantage over other tribes, including the Salish, Pend d’Oreille, and Kootenai. This disparity in weaponry intensified competition for resources and territory, leading to increased conflict and displacement.
1780s – Devastation by Smallpox:
A devastating smallpox epidemic swept through the Salish and Pend d’Oreille communities. One particularly harrowing episode occurred when a group of Salish camped near present-day Missoula was struck by the disease. In an attempt to contain the spread, families divided, with some seeking refuge in the Bitterroot Valley and others moving towards the Drummond area. The epidemic took a horrific toll, with only one boy surviving in the Bitterroot camp. By 1782, it is estimated that smallpox had decimated between one-half and three-quarters of the Salish and Pend d’Oreille populations. This catastrophic event, coupled with the introduction of firearms and horses, triggered profound changes in intertribal territories and social structures. The Blackfeet’s expansion further exacerbated the situation, forcing eastern bands of the Salish and Pend d’Oreille to relocate their winter camps west of the Continental Divide. The Tunáxn people, a Salishan group who occupied the Rocky Mountain front, were nearly eradicated, with survivors scattering and merging with other tribes, leading to the near extinction of a distinct culture.
1790s – Arrival of Fur Traders:
The late 18th century marked the arrival of French and British fur traders in what is now western Montana and the Flathead Indian Reservation. This influx of Europeans heralded a new era of economic and social interaction, bringing both opportunities and challenges to the Salish, Pend d’Oreille, and Kootenai people. The fur trade, while initially offering economic benefits, ultimately led to the exploitation of resources, the disruption of traditional ways of life, and increased dependence on European goods.
1803 – The Louisiana Purchase:
The Louisiana Purchase, in which the United States acquired vast territories from France, had significant implications for the tribes. The U.S. gained the right to be the sole purchaser of tribal lands, should the tribes ever choose to sell, as well as exclusive sovereign and commercial rights to engage with tribal nations within the newly acquired territory. This marked the beginning of a formal, albeit often fraught, relationship between the United States government and the Salish, Pend d’Oreille, and Kootenai people.
1805 – Lewis and Clark Expedition:
The Salish extended hospitality to the Lewis and Clark expedition as they traversed the Bitterroot Valley near Darby. This encounter opened the door to the fur trade in Salish territory, further intensifying European influence and setting the stage for future interactions between the tribes and the expanding United States.
1809 – Establishment of Fur Trading Posts:
The Salish gained more consistent access to firearms with the establishment of fur trading posts in western Montana by David Thompson. Saleesh House, located at Selyém (a Salish placename referring to "the Sound of Falling Water") near Thompson Falls, and Kullyspell House at Lake Pend Oreille in present-day North Idaho, became key centers of trade and interaction. These posts facilitated the exchange of goods but also contributed to the erosion of traditional economies and the introduction of new diseases and social challenges.
1811 – 1830 – The Peak of the Fur Trade:
The years between 1811 and 1830 represented the peak of the fur trade in the Northwest, with far-reaching consequences for the ecology, economy, and culture of the region. The arrival of Iroquois people among the Salish further diversified the cultural landscape, contributing to a complex tapestry of interactions and adaptations.
1811 – Abandonment of Kullyspell House:
Kullyspell House, situated off the main travel routes, was abandoned, reflecting the changing dynamics of the fur trade and the shifting patterns of settlement in the region.
1831, 1835, 1837, 1839 – Delegations to St. Louis:
Motivated by a desire for spiritual guidance and protection, the Salish sent delegations to St. Louis to request the return of the "Black Robes," the Catholic Jesuit priests who had been prophesied earlier. These journeys underscore the deep spiritual yearning of the Salish people and their proactive efforts to navigate the changing world around them.
1841 – Arrival of Father De Smet and the Establishment of St. Mary’s Mission:
Father De Smet and the first Jesuit missionaries arrived in Montana, establishing St. Mary’s Mission near present-day Stevensville in the Bitterroot Valley. The Salish placename for St. Mary’s is Čeqʷc̓mléʔ, meaning "wide cottonwoods." The mission became a center of religious and cultural exchange, but also a site of tension as the missionaries sought to convert the Salish to Christianity and assimilate them into European culture.
1846 – The Oregon Treaty:
The Oregon Treaty between the United States and Great Britain divided aboriginal territory along the 49th parallel, the current Canadian border. This treaty resulted in the loss of millions of acres of aboriginal lands in present-day Canada, and the separation of Kootenai bands and other tribes in the Salish language family into separate jurisdictions.
1848 – Organization of Oregon Territory:
The United States organized Oregon Territory, extending its jurisdiction over tribal aboriginal lands west of the Continental Divide. This marked a further assertion of U.S. control over the region and the beginning of increasing pressure on the tribes to cede their lands and assimilate into American society.
1851 – The Fort Laramie Treaty:
The Fort Laramie Treaty, intended to establish peace among various tribes, impacted aboriginal territory east of the Rocky Mountains. The treaty, however, failed to acknowledge the Salish, Pend d’Oreille, and Kootenai use of aboriginal lands east of the Continental Divide, further marginalizing their claims to their ancestral territories.
1853 – Isaac Stevens’ Survey:
Isaac Stevens surveyed a route for the Northern Pacific Railroad, foreshadowing the impending encroachment of settlers and the increasing pressure on tribal lands.
1855 – The Treaty of Hell Gate:
A pivotal moment in the history of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe and Flathead Reservation Timeline occurred with the signing of the Treaty of Hell Gate. Tribal leaders ceded vast portions of their lands west of the Continental Divide to the United States, reserving 1.25 million acres for the Flathead Reservation, along with the "Conditional Bitterroot Reservation" for their exclusive use and benefit. The treaty also reserved tribal rights on ceded lands, including the right to hunt, fish, gather plants, and pasture livestock on open and unclaimed lands. However, tribal understanding of the boundaries of the Flathead Reservation differed significantly from the written terms, particularly regarding the east, west, and northern boundaries.
1855 – Lame Bull/Judith River Treaty:
In an effort to establish peace among warring tribes, the U.S. government convened treaty negotiations to establish a "Common Hunting Ground" to be acknowledged and honored by all tribes. At these negotiations, Pend d’Oreille Chief Alexander asserted that the Sweetgrass Hills country "was an old road for our people. A long time ago our people belonged to this land," documenting tribal homelands east of the Rocky Mountains. As other tribes moved into Montana, the Salish, Pend d’Oreille, and Kootenai were forced to concentrate their populations west of the mountains.
1859 – Ratification of the Treaty of Hell Gate:
The Treaty of Hell Gate was ratified by the U.S. Senate and signed by the President, solidifying the legal framework for the cession of tribal lands and the establishment of the Flathead Reservation.
1864 – The Montana Gold Rush:
The first major gold rush in Montana Territory brought thousands of non-Indian people, increasing pressure on resources and tribal lands.
This is just the beginning of a long and complex history. The following years would bring further challenges, including forced removals, allotment policies, and struggles to maintain cultural identity and sovereignty. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe and Flathead Reservation Timeline is a reminder of the enduring spirit and determination of a people who have faced adversity with courage and resilience.