Plains Indian 4 State Trip 2016: Blackfeet Reservation – Glacier Natl Park, Denise Juneau and Blackfeet Community College

The Blackfeet reservation in northwest Montana is the 12^th largest in the country. Initially much larger, it was progressively reduced through a series of treaties, executive orders, sales, and allotments in the 19^th and early 20^thcenturies. The transition from independence to reservation life historians call “harrowing” for the Blackfeet. Two examples: in 1870 almost 200 men, women and children were massacred by the U.S. Army (Baker/Marias Massacre) ending their resistance to white encroachment on their land; in the last quarter of the century, the extermination of the bison led to famine and starvation killing 600 American Blackfeet (others died in Canada where portions of the tribe are also located).

The town of Browning is the commercial and residential center of the reservation. Here we learned and experienced quite a lot about the Blackfeet.

1. Blackfeet territory historically included land east of the continental divide that is today part of Glacier National Park. An 1895 treaty allowed the U.S. to take that land for the park but the Blackfeet contest parts of that agreement claiming that it was only a lease not a sale and only covered mineral rights above tree line. The Blackfeet connection to the Park is nonetheless represented there by the flying of the Blackfeet Nation flag alongside those of Canada and the U.S. and through an exhibit in one of the visitor centers. Chief Mountain and Divide Mountain in the park are sacred spots for the Indians, and the park’s mountain ranges are considered to be the “backbone of the world.” The Indians have been denied permission to hold ceremonies in these areas of the park.

2. We saw Denise Juneau’s picture and campaign literature at Blackfeet Community College when we visited there. She is a woman of Blackfeet ancestry and a graduate of Browning H.S. who is running for Congress, seeking to become the first Indian woman in Congress and first LGBT elected from Montana. She is already the 1^st Indian to hold statewide office in Montana (elected Director of Public Instruction for two terms). (This may be a breakout year for Indians in politics. Eight indigenous candidates are running for Congress, up from two in 2014. Over 90 are running for state legislatures, again exceeding previous years.)

3. Our trip to Browning coincided with the 24^th annual “Days of the Piikani [Blackfeet]” a 3-day event at Blackfeet Community College that included research papers, talks, activities for school children and a community market. We were moved and impressed with what we saw there especially seeing the school’s focus on Blackfeet language/culture/history, as well as more traditional subjects.

4. We visited the Museum of the Plains Indian which is on the reservation but administered by the Indian Arts and Crafts Board of the Dept. of the Interior. Much smaller than the Plains Indian museum in Cody, it is in some ways better because of that. Perhaps the most fascinating part of the museum are the exhibits on Indian art forms with detailed descriptions of the artistic process involved. Included here: featherwork, carving, beadwork, quillwork, painting and hide dressing. In the 19^th century every adult engaged in some form of artistic productivity, but with practical intent: to supply the need for clothing, implements, shelter and protection.