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View of Mission Mountains at Ninepipes Lodge, Flathead Indian Reservation

Flathead

Salish, Pend d'Orielle, and Kootenai

Salish, Pend d'Orielle, and Kootenai

Flathead

The Flathead Indian Reservation is home to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes (CSKT). The tribes are a combination of the Salish, the Pend d'Oreille and the Kootenai. Of the approximately 7,753 enrolled tribal members, about 5,000 live on or near the reservation.

LOCATION

North of I-90 between Missoula and Kalispell, fertile valleys and towering mountain peaks of northwestern Montana surround the Flathead Reservation. The reservation comprises over 1.3 million acres.

ECONOMY

The principle sources of income for the tribes are derived from its timber industry sales and from revenues paid to the tribes through the co-license for the Kerr Dam facility with Montana PPL. The tribes also operate a full-service resort and casino in Polson, which is overseen by S&K Gaming, a tribal corporation. The Tribes also operate S&K Electronics, which manufactures various computer components and circuits, S&K Technologies, and S&K Holding, which operates a number of income producing enterprises as well as offering business loans to tribal members.

TRIBAL COMMUNICATIONS

The Tribal Communications office serves as the main point of contact for those who do not already have a contact at CSKT and can provide information about the following:

  • General CSKT information
  • Requesting meetings with the Chairman
  • Delivering messages to Council or the Chairman
  • Inquiries about advertisements
  • Inquiring about visiting the Tribal Complex
  • Media Requests
  • Inquiries about obtaining and flying a Tribal flag

 

  • Communications Director: Robert McDonald
  • Phone: 406.249.1818

POINTS OF INTEREST

 

THREE CHIEFS CULTURE CENTER

For thousands of years the Salish, Pend d'Oreille and the Kootenai have inhabited lands that eventually became western Montana and the surrounding region. The Three Chiefs Culture Center (formerly the People's Center) tells the story of these tribes with exhibits, galleries, educational programs and a quality gift shop.

  • Address: Three Chiefs Culture Center, 77581, US-93, St Ignatius, MT
  • Phone: 406.675.0160
  • Website: https://threechiefs.org/

FLATHEAD LAKE STATE PARKS

Flathead is the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. Points of interest on the lake include Wild Horse Island and five other scenic state units on the reservation: Finley Point, Yellow Bay, Big Arm, Wayfarers and West Shore. Except for Wild Horse Island, all units offer camping, fishing, boating and swimming.

THE NATIONAL BISON RANGE/PABLO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Approximately 500  bison roam nearly 20,000 acres of natural grassland on the National Bison Range. Visitors are also likely to see elk, bighorn sheep, antelope and deer on self-guided auto tours, year-round.

NINEPIPE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE AND STATE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

The Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge area is one of Montana's designated wildlife viewing sites. It is an exceptional wetland complex, prime for bird watching year-round.

ST. IGNATIUS MISSION

Established in 1854, St. Ignatius Mission was built by Native Americans under the direction of Catholic missionaries. There are 58 original murals by Brother Joseph Carignano on its walls and ceiling. The Mission Mountains provide a striking backdrop.

SALISH KOOTENAI COLLEGE

Tours of campus are available. The college offers two- and four-year degrees. A nine-hole executive golf course, Silver Fox, is part of the campus.

CONFEDERATED SALISH & KOOTENAI TRIBES

  • Address: 42487 Complex Blvd, PO Box 278 Pablo, MT 59855
  • Phone: 406.675.2700 / 888.835.8766
  • Website: https://csktribes.org/ 

ADDITIONAL LINKS