P.O. Box 278
51383 Highway 93 North
Pablo, MT 59855
406-675-2700
The Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes is composed of the two tribes, the Salish and the Kootenai tribes who both have different cultures and traditions, yet they share the same area. The yare collectively known as the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes. The Flathead Indian Reservation is their home. The Flathead Indian Reservation is actually home to three tribes, the Bitterroot Salish, the Upper Pend d'Oreille and last but not the least, the Kootenai. The term Confederated Salish refers to the Salish and the Pend d'Oreille tribes. The territories of the three tribes encompass the areas in Western Montana and extend up to some portions of Idaho, British Columbia and even Wyoming. It was in the Hellgate Treaty of the year 1855 when the Flathead Reservation was established. However, more than half of the million acres passed out of the Tribal ownership that was held during the land allotment which started in the year 1904. The survival patterns of the tribal people were urbanized over the past generations through the applications of the observations, experimentation and even the spiritual interaction with the natural world. The observation, experimentation and the environmental factors have created a certain body of knowledge which is about the environment as it is closely related to the seasons, locations and biology. Since the start of time, the lifestyle of the tribe was covered with rich oral history as well as a living spiritual tradition in which the people gave so much respect to the animals, the plants as well as the other elements concerned with the natural environment. The teachings of the elders are the primary reasons why the traditions of the tribes are kept alive up to these days. The Flathead Reservation has created several committees who are in charge of the preservation of the culture of the tribes. The Salish-Pend d'Oreille Culture Committee which was originally named the Flathead Culture Committee is one of the committees which are tasked to protect and perpetuate the traditions of the Salish people. The Culture OCmmittee was built in the years 1974-1975 which was done in response of the call of the ancestors to have a governing body separate from the administration that would cal to cease the rapid cession of the traditions. Since then, the committee has set up programs that aimed to enforce the traditions and showcase the talents of the Salish people. On the other hand, the Kootenai Culture Committee was established in the year 1975. The establishment was also in response to the elders who were seeking for some reinforcement of the forgotten traditions. The Committee advises the Tribal Council on the tasks that need to be done for the preservation of the traditions. Today, there have been many changes in the territory. There are several housing projects for the Indians as well as livelihood projects that aim to promote the economic development of the tribe.
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