Tribes usher in new era at Bison Range
Stephen Small Salmon celebrates the return of the Bison Range to tribal ownership. (Lake County Leader file photo)
(Emily Lonnevik/Lake County Leader)
(Emily Lonnevik/Lake County Leader)
Steve Lozar. (Emily Lonnevik/Lake County Leader)
CSKT Tribal Councilman Jim Malatare of Arlee. (Emily Lonnevik/Lake County Leader)
Jingle dancer Leah Mesteth. (Emily Lonnevik/Lake County Leader)
(Emily Lonnevik/Lake County Leader)
(Emily Lonnevik/Lake County Leader)
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes kicked off a three-day Bison Range celebration Friday with a series of activities at the visitor center at Moiese.
The celebration began with an opening prayer, honor song and honor guard. The day’s events also included a powwow and Native games.
It was also the first time for many to see the results of a recent remodel of the Bison Range museum at the visitor center.
The CSKT recently began their first full season of managing the historical site since the passage of the Montana Water Rights Protection Act in 2020. The legislation created a two-year period for transitioning management of the Bison Range from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to the CSKT, and the Tribes officially took over management in January.
The celebration continued Saturday at Salish Kootenai College in Pablo (see article, page A1), and passes were available for half price on Sunday for Community Appreciation Day.
Visit www.bisonrange.org for additional information regarding hours of operation and visitor information, and check the CSKT Bison Range page on Facebook for updates.
