Part 1 Family Stories Cross Cultural Perspectives on Growing up on the Flathead Reservation Part 2 Cross Cultural Perspectives on Growing up on the Flathead Reservation Part 3 Cross Cultural Perspectives on Growing up on the Flathead Reservation
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Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana
We are closed to the public for the remainder of the winter season, except by appointment. We reopen for public visitation in March of 2023. To schedule a winter visit, please call (406) 644-3435 or email us at info@ninepipesmuseum.org
Enjoy The Museum Visit The Gift Shop Consider a DonationStories from Bud
The Lesson of Sweetgrass
Years ago, a Blackfoot woman from the Fort Macleod area in Alberta used to bring sweetgrass braids down to the museum every year, and my folks would purchase them from her, and keep them on hand for tribal customers who requested them. The last year she came, she gave Bud a package of seeds she […]
A Big Cave by Bud, Jr
A BIG CAVE As a boy my folks gave me a special birthday gift each year, starting at age six, and each year after. My birthday was Sept 8, and that was when Dad began his fall hunting trips. I got to help him trail the horses over the Mission Range, to our corrals […]
The beginning – Bud’s story
Vern E. ‘Bud’ Cheff, Sr. (1915 – 2011) and friend and mentor Eneas Conko (1874-1954). BUD’S STORY Bud Cheff Jr.’s ancestors first came to what is now Montana in the early-1800’s from Ontario, Canada. His French and Iroquois grandparents settled on the Flathead Reservation in 1907, and became good friends with the tribal families that […]
The End of Chiefdom
When we think of Native American tribes and their history we often conjure up images of great Chiefs, donning their elaborately beaded clothing and headdresses. But do we ever think about why we no longer see them today? Chief Koostatah Big Knife (1856-1942), Chief of the Ksanka (Kootenai) tribe belonging to the Confederated Salish and […]
Ninepipes Museum
The displays contain hundreds of Western Plains Indian items that depict the past life of all the Tribes of Montana and surrounding states. These items are not reproductions, but true artifacts.
The Ninepipes Museum
Montana Nature Trail
The Ninepipes Museum nature trails is a short walk on a gravel trail through manicured grounds. The views of the Mission Mountains is quite magnificent.
The Nature Trail
Montana Gifts
The Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana gift shop contains hundreds of Montana gift ideas. We Ship to all 50 states, or you can visit the museum on your next visit.
Montana Gifts
What’s Happening at Ninepipes Museum
In Their Footsteps — Fire Bear’s Moccasins
William Standing “Fire Bear” was born July 27, 1904 in Oswego, Montana on the Fort Peck Reservation. He was named after his Grandfather and was the great-grandson of Wi-Jun-Jon, Chief of the Assiniboine Tribe. Standing began his education at the Wolf Point Mission School and was one of five Kiowa Indians who became special students […]
Collections Policy Manual Complete
Please click on the image above to view our New Collections Policy Manual. This link will be temporary until the policy manual is placed in a more permanent location on the museum’s website. This manual was graciously funded by a grant from the Montana History Foundation, and we are so grateful for the many professionals […]
In Their Footsteps – Buffalo Moccasins
Currently on display is a beautifully beaded pair of high-top moccasins worn by Mary (Beaverhead) Smallsalmon (1909-1995). Though we don’t know a lot about her, we do know that she belonged to the Qlispe (Pend-d’Oreille) Tribe and was born about 1909 in the Mission Valley. Below is a picture of Mary with her brother Pete […]
In Their Footsteps – The Mollmans at Ninepipes Museum
Ninepipes Museum currently has on display several items used and made by the Mollman brothers, Louie and Charley, as well as two items made by Louie’s daughter, Mary Katherine. To learn more about the Mollman family, click here. A rawhide war shield was made by Louie and is on loan at the museum from Bud […]
Whitefish Credit Union Presents: Member Stories
Not long ago, Whitefish Credit Union donated a pair of winter moccasins they had displayed in their Polson branch lobby for many years, along with some items loaned by Bud and Laurel Cheff, long time Credit Union Members. The old moccasins were for every-day use, worn and repaired, hinting at the story of a person’s […]