of Early Montana History
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
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 Kootenai Tribe of the Flathead Reservation in Montana, was the last formally recognized Chief for his tribe, along with Chief Martin Charlo (1856-1941), of the Selis (Salish) and Chief Mose Michell (1885-1944), of the Qlispe (Pend d’Oreille) tribes. When Congress passed the Indian Reorganization Act in 1934, the Flathead Reservation was the first to reorganize under a tribal council and sovereign government, thus dissolving formal Chieftainship. Chief Koostatah remained on the tribal council until his death in 1942. Baptiste Mathias replaced him informally in order to continue on the ceremonial traditions of the Kootenai people. He passed away in 1966, sadly ending a great era of Native American Chiefdom in the United States.
Click here to see photos of Chief Koostatah’s moccassins on display at the Museum, along with many other photos of moccasins in our online catalog.
When Amy Webster walked into the museum a few years ago, she saw a small museum with potential and work that needed doing with our collection. She volunteered her professional services to get the ball rolling, resulting in a series of steps to improve preservation and cataloging procedures for the museum collection. Her latest project includes a specialized collections policy and procedure manual, an important core document for all museums, which serves to demonstrate to the public that the museum holds its collections to the highest standards of ethical, legal and professional care while simultaneously fulfilling its mission. It aligns with the code of ethics set forth by the American Alliance of Museums and serves as an example for other museums around the valley. She’s been researching and writing all winter and is ready for the next phase — professional, employee, board and other reviews. The project will be completed and ready for Board approval by the end of June. A generous grant from The Montana History Foundation has made this essential project possible! History lovers, check out this stellar organization on their website, https//www.mthistory.org
Running along side and behind the Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana is the Montana Nature Trail dedicated to Adelle Rogers Cheff (1917-1999). Her surviving direct descendants and extended family recently gathered at the trail head to share stories and pay homage to Adelle.
L-R: Buck Cheff, Roxy Cheff Sanders, Bud Cheff Jr., Mick Cheff Sr & Hap Cheff Sr.
Photo Credit: Jo Cheff
The Montana Historical Society recently announced that Bud Cheff Jr. will be recognized with its annual Heritage Keeper award. The Montana Historical Society Board of Trustees selected Bud at its April board meeting and will present the award during the Montana History Conference being held in Butte September 23-25. The purpose of the annual awards, as stated on the Montana Historical Society website, is to honor “exemplary commitment, effort, and impact in identifying, preserving, and presenting Montana’s historical and cultural heritage for current and future generations.” The annual awards are presented to up to three candidates who were nominated due to their “demonstrated record of accomplishment to a significant Montana history project … and preservation of objects or property of general or specific significance to Montana history and culture.”
Visit the Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana where our mission
…. is to discover, memorialize, preserve and protect the history and culture of the Flathead Reservation and early Montana. It is designed for the enrichment, education, and recreation of local residents and visitors.
Congratulations Bud!!!!
Thanks once again to Thrivent Financial and its members for providing us with funds to spruce up for spring! Our containers and the Blue Star Memorial flower bed are chock full of new starts to add color to the front, and a brand new flag flies proudly from the museum flagpole, which will soon be illuminated by a spotlight. Volunteers helped with spring spruce-up too, from figuring costs for improvements to planting posies! Thanks to all of you!
