{Glacier National Park originally posted by @glaciernp - post 2/2 looking at the tribes of Glacier National Park} On the western side of Glacier National Park is the homeland of the Salish, Kootenai (or Ktunaxa), and Pend d’Oreilles Nations of the Flathead Reservation. The history of U.S.-Indian relations is filled with less than fair treaty negotiations, but the Hellgate Treaty of 1855 and subsequent “agreements” with the Flathead nations are still exceptional. The two parties came with entirely different expectations, both intending to leave in control of the Flathead homeland, but poor translations, that according to one witness were barely intelligible at all, and underhanded dealing on the part of Isaac Stevens led to Chief Victor giving up 20 million acres of land. Illegal settlement and railroads, military intervention, and even the U.S. forging marks on behalf of chiefs eventually forced the nations to move the Flathead Reservation. Throughout all of this, the tribes remained committed to peaceful resistance.

The Flathead nations are also a great example of hour conserving wilderness and honoring treaties don’t have to be mutually exclusive. On fact, they run their own wilderness area, the Mission Mountain Tribal Wilderness, and are fighting for management of the National Bison Range. Past wrongs can’t be undone, but there is still room to move forward with more respect for indigenous claims to our public land. #Publiclandisnativeland