Flathead Indian Reservation (Montana)



The Flathead Indian Reservation is a federally-recognized reservation, located north of Interstate 90 between Missoula and Kalispell, mostly within the boundaries of Lake County. Small portions of the reservation are also located in Sanders, Missoula, and Flathead Counties.


 * Established -- 16 July 1855
 * Agency (BIA) -- Flathead Indian Agency at Pablo, Montana
 * Principal tribes -- Flathead Indians (the Flathead are the Flathead, Kalispel Indians, Pend_d'Oreille_Indians and Spokane Indians - all spoke the same language which is an admixture of Chippewa Algonquin and non Algonquin - and Kootenai who are a mixture of Chippewa Algonquin and non Algonquin - and the Nez Perce Indians who are the Amikwa Chippewas who originally lived between Lakes Superior, Huron, and Nipissing in Ontario. Amikwa Chippewas are also known as the Nez Perce. And the Chippewa Indians who are known in Montana as the Little Shell Tribe, Nez Perce, and Swan Creek and Black River Chippewas. They are properly called the (Confederated Salish and Kootenai).
 * Population -- 2010 census is 7,042 but when including mixed bloods it's 9,328 - Does not include non Indians.
 * Approx. 7,042 live on the Flathead Reservation in 2010. 1969: Tribal enrollment 5,296.

History
The Flathead Reservation Historical Society has compiled a time line of historical events, which lists important happenings from pre-contact to the year 2000.

The reservation was originally named the Jocko Reservation, as it was located on the Jocko River. It was created by a Treaty of July 16, 1855 (XII, 975). Some of reservation land has been allotted to individual Indians under acts of Apr. 23, 1904 (XXIII, 302), Feb. 8, 1887 (XXIV, 388), and Feb. 28,1891(XXVI, 791). Historical evidence indicates the Flathead Reservation may have extended into the Bitterroot Valley. It is clearly stated in the July 16, 1855 Hell Gate Treaty, that the Bitterroot Valley was wanted to be included as a Reservation. In fact, Indians were still living in the Bitterroot Valley until October 1891. United States soldiers forced them to relocate to the Flathead Reservation in that year.

They may have been the subjects of chief Aeneas or Ignace Paul. It is widely accepted that chief Charlo was the principle leader of the Bitterroot Valley Indians. However, chief Paul's father settled down to live in the Bitterroot Valley about 1816, after moving from Michigan. Chief Charlo had to be forced to gather his people together for the trek to the Flathead Reservation. He had great resentment against the whites.

In the early 1880s, the United States wanted to negotiate a treaty in which a railroad would be built across the Reservation. Chief Arlee jumped at the chance to receive the $1 million. Chief Paul had other worries to tend to because many of his subjects were living north and east of the Flathead Reservation. Supposedly a negotiator for the railroad and government of the United States, promised to negotiate on behalf of the Flathead Reservation about having the Reservation enlarged on the north. If land was added on to Flathead Reservation, it extends from the northeast part of the Reservation, up to the Canadian border.

Frank Linderman wrote in one of his books that the region north of the Flathead Reservation was still occupied by chief Paul's subjects in the 1880s. Linderman described the region as a dangerous one in which every now and then Indians killed some whites. The Indians were Chippewas who white historians have named the Kootenai. The canoes of the Kootenai look identical to the canoes of the Chippewas. Western Montana has some lakes but not as many as found in the Great Lakes region where some of today's Kootenai claim they originally lived. That is Michigan.

1882, September 2, the Flathead, Kootenay and the Upper Pend d'Oreille Indians of the Flathead reservation in Montana Territory sold a portion of their reservation for the use of the Northern Pacific Railroad. (Senate Ex. Doc. #15, 48th Congress, 1st session).

Relocations
In 1872, James Garfield negotiated an agreement with Flathead leaders in which they agreed to leave the Bitterroot Valley, for the Jocko Reservation. That happened on August 27, 1872. Chief Charlot refused to sign. However, chief Arlee and chief Adolphe did. Chief Charlot's refusal indicates the agreement is invalid. His defiance lasted for another 20 years. Other relocations followed.


 * 1) 1873: In October of 1873, chief Arlee led a number of Chippewas from some location in Montana, to the Jocko Reservation. It nearly coincides with the August 16, 1873 Treaty which set aside the Judith Basin Indian Reservation.
 * 2) 1891: Chief Charlot finally agreed to leave either the Bitterroot Valley or some other location in Montana. They arrived to Jocko Reservation in October of 1891.
 * 3) 1896: An unknown number of Chippewas from the Great Falls region and north central Montana, are relocated to Jocko Reservation. Chief Buffalo Coat was bought by the United States and helped the whites during the forced relocations.
 * 4) 1904: Chief Rocky Boy reached an agreement in which the Chippewas he led were set aside several Reservations within Jocko Reservation. Most of the Chippewas probably came from north central Montana.

1882 Land Loss
Leaders of Flathead Reservation were said to have sold to the United States, Flathead Reservation land for use for a railroad through the Reservation totaling 1,430 acres. It was 200 feet wide by 53 miles long. That may not have happened. A pdf book about the Paul chiefs of Flathead Reservation (they were not Iroquois), tells a similar but yet quite different account of what transpired. Northern Pacific Railroad petitioned for and were ceded the land they requested for. However, what makes this event very suspicious is what chief Arlee requested for.

Arlee demanded for one million dollars. Quite a bit of money for 1,430 acres. Good in todays market for buying land but not in 1882. At that time you could buy land for less than $5 an acre, and in many cases for less than $1 an acre. What chief Arlee was requesting for was the sell of land totaling far more than 1,430 acres. That pdf book claims that assistant attorney general, Joseph McCammon, promised Flathead Reservation leaders, he would urge the United States government to move the northern boundary of Flathead Reservation, from the north-south midpoint of Flathead Lake, to the Canadian border.

In 1895, chief Little Dog of the Blackfeet Reservation, reached an agreement with the United States in which the Blackfeet agreed to Lease (cede according to the United States) Blackfeet Reservation land. According to chief Little Dog, the land was located in the eastern part of Blackfeet Reservation. According to the United States, it was the western part of Blackfeet Reservation. Farm land is involved so chief Little Dogs version is the truth. Chief Little Dog originally requested for $3 million but received only $1.5 million. A total of several hundred thousand acres was Leased to the United States for 99 years.

Anyone who knows about how the United States robbed Indian Nations by buying Indian leaders, know something is very off about the September 2, 1882 sell of Flathead Reservation land to the United States. It is obvious chief Arlee and other Flathead Reservation leaders, were very willing to sell Flathead Reservation land if the price was agreeable to them. One million dollars for 1,430 acres is ludicrous.

Chief Arlee also told McCammon that "We Only Want A Fair Bargain." He claimed the leaders who signed the 1855 treaty, had no idea about their country (it's boundaries) when Governor Stevens arrived and commenced talking about Flathead country. Chief Arlee went on to claim the Flathead leaders who signed the 1855 treaty, were Stupid.

They may have sold the northern part of Flathead Reservation (from the midpoint of Flathead Lake to Crow Creek). The new Flathead Reservation follows Crow Creek to Flathead River then to the mouth of Bitterroot River. It then follows Bitterroot River west from where the Bitterroot River supposedly turns northwest but using google earth you can see Bitterroot River takes on a lighter color as it goes north from it's mouth and when it reaches the area where it supposedly goes northwest, the Bitterroot River keeps it's lighter color as it goes west towards Hot Springs but becomes much darker as it goes northwest, which leaves you thinking the real Bitterroot River goes west then to the southwest.

Just before reaching Prongua Road, it merges with another creek or river and either one then goes to the south towards Highway 28 where Camas Creek is alongside Highway 28, to Flathead River. So from where HIghway 28 enters Flathead Reservation on the west, and all land west of Camas Creek to the Flathead River, is the northwestern part of Flathead Reservation.

So from where Highway 28 enters Flathead Reservation, to where Camas Creek begins to follow Highway 28, north along Highway 28 to where Baker Road merges with Highway 28, then to the creek or river which may be Bitterroot River, then to Bitterroot River, then to where the confluence of Bitterroot River and Crow Creek is, then following Crow Creek to N. Crow Creek Road then east to the Mission Mountains, is the northern boundary of the new Flathead Reservation.

Or it's the other way. Flathead Reservation may actually extend to the Canadian border. However, McCammon was not going to request that the United States government add land to Flathead Reservation. If anything, the United States was going to take Reservation land. Or there was not a Flathead Reservation in 1882 and Flathead Reservation was actually created in 1882. There is the July 16, 1855 Hell Gate Treaty we have to include. However, the leaders who signed that treaty probably didn't have the authority to cede Indian land. Click this link http://www.anishinabe-history.com/Paul.pdf to read about this event. It's on page 4 of the PDF book and page 5 of the acrobat reader.

The pdf book is about the Paul chiefs of Flathead Reservation. They were Chippewas who originally lived in the Great Lakes region and in Quebec. Read the Seven Fires Prophecy. Chief Paul was reported to have not signed the July 16, 1855 treaty. Nor were chiefs Victor and his son Charlo, who remained in the Bitterroot Valley until 1891. What happened on September 2, 1882, may be related to the Turtle Mountain Reservation which was supposedly created in 1882.

Correct Boundaries &amp; Sweatinghouse River
Maps of the Flathead Reservation from the 19th century, are helpful to find out the correct boundaries of the Flathead Reservation. The earliest map of Montana showing the Flathead Reservation is from 1879. It shows the eastern boundary of Flathead Reservation extending into Swan Valley which means Flathead Reservation is much larger. Click this following link http://alabamamaps.ua.edu/historicalmaps/us_states/montana/index.html to view the 1879 map. It is the second one. Check out the others also. Holland Peak may be the eastern boundary of Flathead Reservation. If it is, it means the Swan Valley Massacre was a deliberate attack against the Chippewas living within the boundaries of Flathead Reservation, to force them to leave that part of the Flathead Reservation.

Todays maps show the eastern most boundary of Flathead Reservation being the extreme southeastern part of the Reservation. Back in 1879, it shows the eastern most boundary of Flathead Reservation, being in the middle of Flathead Reservations eastern boundary. Swan Valley is actually a part of Flathead Reservation.

And the northwestern part of Flathead Reservation must extend further to the west. Actually further west than Plains, Montana, or as it was often called in the 19th century, Horse Plains. On maps from the late 19th century, it shows the northwestern part of Flathead Reservation extending directly southeast then it makes a sharper turn to the southeast, just south of Perma. Todays maps show the western boundary of Flathead Reservation extending directly south to the Perma area then it makes a sharp turn to the southeast.

Flathead Reservations western boundary follows south to just south of Little Thompson River Road, from a location 18 miles directly north of the southwestern part of Flathead County. It includes the entire valley between the extreme southwestern part of Flathead County, to just south of Little Thompson River Road. After reaching the area just south of Little Thompson River Road, the boundary makes a turn southeast to Baldy Mountain which is 7 miles west of Hot Springs. The area is a part of the northern portion of Flathead Reservation. More about that is above.

Sweatinghouse River was another name used for Swan River back in the 19th century. So was Bigfork River. It proves the Swan Valley is a part of Flathead Reservation. Interestingly, Swan River flows directly to the extreme northeastern shores of Flathead Lake, where Bigfork, Montana is located. That indicates the Flathead Reservation did in fact extend as far north as Bigfork. Flathead Lake may have extended much firther north in the 1870s and 1880s.

Look over the maps carefully. You will notice on the maps from 1879 to at least 1889, that Sweatinghouse River was used. You will also notice that the northeastern part of Flathead Lake extended further north than the northwestern part of Flathead Lake. Today, it the reverse. Echo Lake, which is 3.5 miles north of Bigfork, is the old northeastern part of Flathead Lake. What the represents is Flathead Reservation is connected to Blackfeet Reservation.

Since Echo Lake was a part of Flathead Lake in the 1870s and 1880s, it represents the Swan Valley extending to the southern shores of todays Echo Lake. Flathead Reservations northeastern border actually extends to Blackfeet Reservation. Swan Lake does not show up on those late 19th century maps. They have made a blunder about the correct boundaries of Flathead Reservation. We have those maps that prove it. In fact, some of the late 19th century maps show Swan River being a tributory of Flathead River north of Flathead Lake. However, it shows Swan River flowing to the northeast. Lake Blaine shows up. Today, Lake Blaine is 7.3 miles northwest of Echo Lake.

They have made deliberate mistakes about the correct boundaries of Flathead Reservation and it is probably because Flathead Reservation is connected to Blackfeet Reservation. Sweatinghouse River is the proof. The north boundary of Flathead Reservation must be the northern most point of Flathead Lake. Chief Arlee lied to his people. He died a wealthy man and did very little to help his people.

Those late 19th century maps which show Swan River north of Flathead Lake, must be used to identify the correct northeastern boundary of Flathead Reservation. It is located between Lake Blaine and Echo Lake and flows towards Badger Creek. Badger Creek is within the current Blackfeet Reservation.

Look for the 1907 map. It shows the way the current Flathead Reservation and Flathead Lake, look correctly. The northwestern part of Flathead Lake extends furthern north than the northeastern part of Flathead Lake. They are covering something up. It is no coincidence that the first Indian Agency for Blackfeet Reservation is known today as Old Agency, and the Flathead Reservation town of Old Agency was the first Indian Agency for Flathead Reservation.

To be blunt, the correct boundaries of Flathead Reservation are as follows: At the location north of the northeastern point of Flathead Lake (Echo Lake) where Swan River is or a little south of Kalispell, the northeastern boundary extends to what is now Hungry Horse Reservoir; and again from the northeastern point of Flathead Lake (Echo Lake) where Swan River is or a little south of Kalispell, the northwestern boundary extends to Little Bitterroot Lake then 11 miles directly west of Little Bitterroot Lake to a point 18 miles directly north of the extreme southwestern part of Flathead County; it then follows directly south to a location just south of Little Thompson River Road then southeast to Baldy Mountain; it then follows the current Flathead Reservations southwestern boundary to the extreme southern part of the Flathead Reservation near Evaro; it then follows the current southeastern boundary of Flathead Reservation to Gray Wolf Lake; it then follows Sweatinghouse River (Swan River) to the Swan Valley; it includes the Swan Valley from Rainy Lake to the extreme northeastern part of Flathead Reservation. Flathead Reservation covers around 3,500 sq. mi. and is connected to Blackfeet Reservation.

Now about Square Butte. It is located about 25 miles west of Great Falls. If you seen Square Butte in person you would think it looks like a Flat Head. The top of the mountain looks like a Flat Head Mountain. When Lewis and Clark were in the Square Butte region during June and July 1805, they named the infamous mountain Fort Mountain. They may have done the right thing for all we know by naming Square Butte Flathead Mountain. The real Flathead Reservation is east of what is now Flathead Reservation. Square Butte or Flathead Mountain, is almost in the middle of this Reservation.

It borders the Judith Basin Indian Reservation on the east and what is now Flathead Reservation on the west. The United States was not going to honor treaty. In 1896, they forced large numbers of Chippewas living in the Great Falls region, to relocate elsewhere. One location was what is now Flathead Reservation. The Kootenai were set aside a Reservation in 1896.

Rocky Boys Reservations
Chief Rocky Boy was very aware of what the United States was going to do about Reservation land. After the 1887 Dawes Act was passed by the United States, it would take well over a decade for most Reservations to have their farm land stolen. That includes Flathead Reservation. Either the larger or smaller one. In any case the United States was not going to honor treaty. They were going to allot land to individual Indians and allow them to sell their land to non Indians. Even if Chippewa leaders protested.

In early March of 1902, chief Rocky Boy hired an Anaconda lawyer then sent a letter to President Roosevelt requesting for Reservation. That information was printed in the March 8, 1902 Butte Inter Mountain. In the May 14, 1902 Butte Inter Mountain, it was reported that chief Rocky Boys request for Reservation was denied. However, it was also reported in that same May 14, 1902 article, that chief Rocky Boy intended to ask for the privilege of allowing members of his band who wish to do so to settle upon surveyed or unsurveyed land. Click this link http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83025294/1902-05-14/ed-1/seq-11/#date1=1902&amp;index=2&amp;rows=20&amp;words=Boy+Chief+chief+Rocky&amp;searchType=basic&amp;sequence=0&amp;state=Montana&amp;date2=1902&amp;proxtext=chief+rocky+boy&amp;y=17&amp;x=18&amp;dateFilterType=yearRange&amp;page=1 to read the May 14, 1902 article.

Then in the June 5, 1902 Butte Inter Mountain, it was reported that the Chippewas had received word that each of their number was entitled to 160 acres of land somewhere in this vast country. Flathead Reservation of course. Click this link http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83025294/1902-06-05/ed-1/seq-9/#date1=1902&amp;index=1&amp;rows=20&amp;words=Boy+Chief+Rocky&amp;searchType=basic&amp;sequence=0&amp;state=Montana&amp;date2=1902&amp;proxtext=chief+rocky+boy&amp;y=17&amp;x=18&amp;dateFilterType=yearRange&amp;page=1 to read the June 5, 1902 article. You must remember that during those times several thousand Chippewas were living throughout the promised Reservation the United States promised the Chippewas through treaty agreements. That includes in the Swan Valley, north Flathead Valley, southwest Montana, what is now the Bob Marshall Wilderness Region, north central Montana, and eastern Montana including the Crow-Northern Cheyenne Reservation.

Chippewa land surveyors were supposedly sent out to look for land. In the June 5, 1902 article, they claimed the Chippewa land surveyors were sent to northern Idaho, Tobacco Plains (it's near Eureka, Montana), and the St. Mary River region in the Blackfeet Reservation. However, Flathead Reservation is the location. Chief Rocky Boy was at home at Flathead Reservation. He was from western Montana.

Chief Rocky Boy was granted several Chippewa Reservations within Flathead Reservation. Click this link http://books.google.com/books?id=MN03AQAAIAAJ&amp;pg=RA3-PA28&amp;lpg=RA3-PA28&amp;dq=chief+rocky+boy+and+senator+gibson&amp;source=bl&amp;ots=5SpTc0rtTc&amp;sig=n3S1DVBoUpf8ZizH77m-rjiVDVo&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=KIUKVLOpDcKzogTBkYGABQ&amp;ved=0CDgQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&amp;q=chief%20rocky%20boy%20and%20senator%20gibson&amp;f=false to read about how chief Rocky Boy negotiated with white leaders and the bill senator Gibson used to persuade the government of the United States to help the Chippewas led by chief Rocky Boy.

In the August 5, 1904 Billings Gazette, it was reported that chief Rocky Boy and his interpreter, visited congressman Dixon to discuss the Reservations. After you read the paragraph below (Thomas Downs Recommendation) you'll understand this information. In early January of 1904, senator Gibson introduced a bill to set aside Chippewa Reservations within Flathead Reservation. That is why chief Rocky Boy visited congressman Dixon in Missoula or Mount Jumbo. Another reason was the United States stealing the northern part of the Crow Reservation. They didn't even consult with Crow leaders. If they did, it was in private.

Click this link http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/search/pages/results/?state=Montana&amp;date1=1904&amp;date2=1904&amp;proxtext=chief+rocky+boy&amp;x=14&amp;y=17&amp;dateFilterType=yearRange&amp;rows=20&amp;searchType=basic to read the August 5, 1904 Billings Gazette article. August 5, 1904 is probably when the new Chippewa Reservations within Flathead Reservation became official. Also in 1904, the Flathead Reservation Land Allotment Act was passed. They needed chief Rocky Boys support to prevent violence.

We know at least 400 Chippewas were to be granted 160 acres of land. That's close to 65,000 acres. We just don't know where these small Chippewa Reservations within Flathead Reservation, are located at. The State of Montana was granted over 69,000 acres of Flathead Reservation land, for school purposes. That is where the Chippewa Reservations within Flathead Reservation are located. At least most of them. Remember chief Rocky Boy requested to allow Chippewas who wish to do so to settle on surveyed or unsurveyed land. And you must also remember that Flathead Reservation may have been south of Crow Creek at that time. At issue was Mission Valley and the United States not honoring treaty.

Thomas Downs Recommendation
This following information is why you must not ignore the Chippewa Reservations within what is now Flathead Reservation. On October 3, 1903, Indian Agent Thomas Downs reported that it was difficult to ascertain the identity and character of the Indians because of their migratory habits. He recommended that arrangements be made with Flathead Reservation, to allow the Chippewas led by chief Rocky Boy who numbered over 400 (many reports claim a little over 100 but even 400 is too low) to settle on the Flathead Reservation.

Senator Gibson was advised of Downs report and introduced a bill (S. 2705, Fifty-eighth Congress, first session). On January 8, 1904, the department reporting on the bill promoted the bill should be enacted. They claim the bill failed but that is incorrect. Later in 1904, the McCumber Agreement (aka 10¢ An Acre Treaty) was to be voted on. They needed chief Rocky Boys support.

In the August 5, 1904 Billings Gazette, it was reported that chief Rocky Boy traveled to Missoula to meet with congressman Dixon. Chippewas were living adjacent to Mount Jumbo then. Chief Rocky Boy knew congressman Dixon had the power to grant chief Rocky Boy Chippewa Reservations within Flathead Reservation. It was reported that congressman Dixon told chief Rocky Boy he did not have the power to help the Chippewas which is incorrect. You must remember that the Flathead Reservation Land Allotment Act was passed by the United States in 1904. It is no coincidence that chief Rocky Boy was negotiating to have new Chippewa Reservations set aside within Flathead Reservation at that time.

They were preparing for the eventual settlement of Flathead Reservation by white settlers and to prevent violence when the allotment process was conducted. That happened in 1908 which is when the first round of allotments happened and also the same year as the Swan Valley Massacre.

Where Are Rocky Boys Reservations Located?
The State of Montana was granted over 69,000 acres of Flathead Reservation land, for school purposes. That is where some of the Chippewa Reservations within Flathead Reservation are located. Protected land like wildlife areas, are other locations. Remember chief Rocky Boy requested to allow Chippewas who wish to do so to settle on surveyed or unsurveyed land.

You have no choice but to deal with this subject. Chief Rocky Boy requested for and was set aside new Chippewa Reservations within what is now Flathead Reservation. The whites can deny it all they want but the truth is there. And though the information presented here is awkward, it is awkward because of how the United States treated this land area. To help you understand this information, click this link http://www.cskt.org/tr/docs/public_lstat8X11LgFontMar2011.pdf. It will help you to learn where Indian owned land is located at within Flathead Reservation. Fee land is land owned by Indians and non Indians. Individual Trust Land is land owned by Individual Indians. Tribal land is owned by Flathead Reservation. Indian settlements are located on Individual Indian Trust Land and Tribally owned land. Chief Rocky Boys Chippewas (most may have come from north central Montana) were set aside Reservations within what is now Flathead Reservation, at the following locations:


 * 1) Schley: It is located in the extreme southern part of the Reservation. Schley, Coriacan Village, and North Schley are located within that area which is Tribally owned land. It is connected to the main part (the mountains) of the Reservation.
 * 2) Arlee: It is located in the southern part of the Reservation. Individual Indian Trust Land and Tribally owned land covers a large area of land in the Arlee Valley. Settlements include Arlee, Arlee Homesite, Gray Wolf, Pow Wow, and Tapit. It is connected to the main part (the mountains) of the Reservation.
 * 3) St. Ignatius: It covers several thousand acres west and south of the city of St. Ignatius. Settlements include St. Ignatius and St. Ignatius Homesite. It is not connected to the main part (the mountains) of the Reservation.
 * 4) Mission Dam Homesite: It is located 3.0 miles east of St. Ignatius. Mission Dam Homesite is the only settlement. It covers several thousand acres. It is connected to the main part (the mountains) of the Reservation.
 * 5) National Bison Range: It covers over 18,000 acres. Settlements include Moiese, Old Agency, and west Ravalli Trailer Park. It is connected to the main part (the mountains) of the Reservation.
 * 6) Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge: It covers 4,027 acres and the region to the east and northeast. When including the Individual Indian Trust land and Tribally oened land, it covers close to 15,000 acres. Canyon Mill, Clarice Paul Homesite, Eagle Pass, Kicking Horse, Pache Homesite, and Woodcock Homesite are located in that area. It is connected to the main part (the mountains) of the Reservation.
 * 7) Turtle Lake: It is located about 4 miles east of Polson. It covers several thousand acres of Tribally owned land and Individual Indian Trust Land. It is connected to the main part (the mountains) of the Reservation.
 * 8) Pewiosap: It covers between 1,000 and 2,000 acres. It is located a few miles west of Ronan. A small settlement is located along Songer Road and Pewiosap Drive. It is not connected to the main part (the mountains) of the Reservation.
 * 9) Pablo National Wildlife Refuge: Pablo borders this protected land area. It covers several thousand acres and has a large population. It is connected to the main part (the mountains) of the Reservation.
 * 10) Big Arm. Adjacent to the town of Big Arm, is an area of land belonging to the tribe. To the east and south is a large mountaious region owned by the Reservation. It is not connected to the main part (the mountains) of the Reservation.
 * 11) Elmo: A very large area between Elmo and Niarada, is Tribally owned land. A small area is Individual Indian Trust Land. It is very mountainous and the mountain valley between Elmo and Niarada is about 12 miles long. Elmo and Niarada are located within that region. It is connected to the main part (the mountains) of the Reservation.
 * 12) Kopp: On Kopp Road, which leads to Highway 28 from Camas and Hot Springs, is a very small area with a small trailer park, which is Individual Indian Trust Land including State owned land. It is not connected to the main part (the mountains) of the Reservation.

However, the Chippewas of Flathead Reservation rather think of these areas as the Flathead Reservation. Some do know chief Rocky Boy is very important to Flathead Reservation. Most, however, don't know chief Rocky Boy is very important to Flathead Reservation. It is the same way at Blackfeet Reservation. Both Blackfeet Reservation and Flathead Reservation, ignore the Chippewas who live at both Reservations. Sad thing is, the Chippewas make up the majority of the Indian population of both Reservations.

Leaders of both Blackfeet Reservation and Flathead Reservation, will not honor chief Rocky Boy who went through a gruelling process to have Chippewas relocated to Blackfeet Reservation and Flathead Reservation. Unfortunately, the Indians of Blackfeet Reservation and Flathead Reservation, identify chief Rocky Boy with Rocky Boys Reservation. He didn't move to Rocky Boys Reservation until 1913. He lived longer at Blackfeet Reservation than at Rocky Boys Reservation.

Communities
Flathead Reservation has at least 24 communities. Most are predomonantly white. However, throughout the Reservation are numerous other areas which have clusters of housing units which are not categorized as a cdp, city, town, or village. They are Homesites. All are probably predominantly Indian. The total number of these clusters of housing units is near 15. Flathead Reservation may have around 20 communities which are predominantly Indian. Besides the communities listed below, there are several others which are not incorporated as a cdp, city, town, or homesite.


 * 1) Pablo: It is the capital of Flathead Reservation. Pablo is a census designated place or cdp. The 2010 population is 2,254. Indians make up 1,237 of the cdp's population. Mixed bloods make up 170 of Pablo's population.
 * 2) Arlee: It is located in the southern part of the Reservation. The 2010 population is 636. Indians make up 304 of the cdp's population. Mixed bloods make up 39 of Arlee's population. Arlee was the 2nd Flathead Reservation Agency.
 * 3) Old Agency: It is located on the west side of the National Bison Range. The 2010 population is 107. Indians make up 81 of the community's population. Mixed bloods make up 4 of Old Agency's population. Old Agency was the 1st Flathead Reservation Agency.
 * 4) Elmo: It is located in the northwestern part of the Reservation. Elmo is 4 miles west of Wild Horse Island. The 2010 population is 180. Indians make up 134 of the cdp's population. Mixed bloods make of 4 of Elmo's population.
 * 5) Turtle Lake: it is located in the northeastern part of the Reservation. The 2010 population is 209. Indians make up 150 of the cdp's population. Mixed bloods make up of 17 of the community's population.
 * 6) St. Ignatius: It is located in the southern part of Flathead Valley or southern Mission Valley. It is on the east side of the National Bison Range. The 2010 population is 842. Indians make up 357 of the city's population. Mixed bloods make up 73 of the population of St. Ignatius.
 * 7) Evaro: It is located in the extreme southern part of the Reservation. Evaro is a cdp which covers a large area. The 2010 population is 322. Indians make up 145 of Evaro's population. Mixed bloods make up 30 of the community's population.
 * 8) Alexander Lane Homesite: It is located in the northwestern part of the Reservation. It is about a third of a mile south of Elmo. It's population is probably included with Elmo's.
 * 9) Arlee Homesite: It is located a few blocks north of Arlee. The population of Arlee Homesite is included with the population of Arlee.
 * 10) Clarice Paul Homesite: It is located 1.6 miles southeast of Ronan. The population of Clarice Paul Homesite is probably included with Ronan's zip code area population.
 * 11) Dayton Homesite: It is located in the northwestern part of the Reservation. It's population may be included with nearby Dayton.
 * 12) Mission Dam Homesite: It is located 2.9 miles east of St. Ignatius. It is almost adjacent to Mission Reservoir. It's population is probably included with the population of the zip code area of St. Ignatius.
 * 13) Pache Homesite: It is located a half a mile east of Ronan. It's population is included with the population of Ronan's zip code area.
 * 14) Salish Homesite: It is located adjacent to St. Ignatius on the south side of Mission Creek. It's population is included with the zip code area population of St. Ignatius
 * 15) Schley Homesite: It is located in the southern part of the Reservation, a few miles south of Arlee. It's population is either included with Evaro's zip code area population, or Arlee's zip code area's population.
 * 16) Woodcock Homesite: It is located 2.5 miles southeast of Ronan and 1 mile east of Clarice Paul Homesite. It's population is probably included with Ronan's zip code area population.

Leaders
Among their historical leaders are chief Ignace Paul and several other Paul chiefs, chief Victor, his son chief Charlo, chief Arlee, and chief Rocky Boy of course. Interestingly, a chief named Moses signed both the July 16, 1855 Hell Gate and the October 17, 1855 Blackfeet Stevens Treaties. He may be the same chief Moses of Washington State who refused to sign the Stevens Treaty involving his land around the Yakima Reservation region in Washington State.

For more information about the Chippewas (aka the Anishinabe) who live in the Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Alberta, and British Columbia region, click this www.wilkesweb.us/algonquin/nations.htm link. It will help you learn more about the Flathead Reservation.

Records
Many of the records of individual Indians living on the Flathead Reservation were kept by the Flathead Agency of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, located in Pablo, Montana. Others are kept by the Tribal Office.

In 1905, the Commissioner of Indian Affairs assigned Special Agent Thomas Downs to investigate the enrollment of the Indians of the Flathead Reservation. The National Archives has microfilmed the resulting documents as their Microcopy M1350, consisting of 3 rolls of microfilm. These records are available at the National Archives and their Regional Archives, and at other research institutions, including the in Salt Lake City. The records include census rolls for 1903, 1905, and 1908, as well as applications for enrollment and Agent Downs' field notes. It includes members of all tribes then living on the Flathead Reservation, including the Flathead, Kootenai, Pend d'Oreille, Kalispel, and Spokane tribes.

Land records: Tribally-owned land: 558,216.44 Allotted land: 56,869.08.

Important Websites
Flathead Reservation Historical Society

http://thorpe.ou.edu/IRA/IRAbook/tribalgovpt1tblA.htm IRA population estimates for Indian Reservation Agencies 1930s

http://digital.library.okstate.edu/Kappler/Vol1/HTML_files/APP1027.html 1902 population of Indian Reservation Agencies