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The Gallatin Valley has never been the permanent
abode of any tribe of Indians, so far as historical records show,
but it has been claimed by the Blackfeet, and has been crossed by
hunting and fighting parties of the
Blackfeet,
Crow,
Bannock,
Nez Percé,
Flathead and
Snake on their way to the hunting grounds of the Yellowstone, or
the trapping grounds of the Snake River plains. The trail was worn
deeply into the soil by the moccasins of the Indians and the hoofs
of the Indian pony.
A writer who was adopted by the Blackfeet Indians is authority for
the following information: When first met by adventurers of the
Hudson's Bay Company, Henry, in 1754, and Cocking, in 1772, the
three tribes of Blackfeet Indians claimed as their country, their
hunting ground, the vast extent of plains and mountains between the
Saskatchewan and Yellowstone rivers, and from the summit of the
Rocky Mountains between these streams, eastward for an average
distance of three hundred miles.
In 1855, at the mouth of the Judith River, the three tribes
concluded a treaty with the United States, the so called
Stevens
Treaty, whereby the government stipulated that the country lying
between the Canadian boundary line and the Yellowstone River, and
between the summit of the Rockies and a north and south line
intersecting the junction of the Missouri and the Milk River, was
the country, the property of the Blackfeet tribes. This, of course,
included what is now Gallatin County, which they called "Ahkoto
waktai Sakum," Many-come-together Country, or as we would say, Three
Forks of the Missouri Country.
Though this treaty of 1855 was ratified by Congress, President
Grant, the Blackfeet claim, without their knowledge or consent, took
from them that part of their domain south of the Missouri, and
later, President Hayes, in like manner, took from them the plains
between the Marias River and its tributary, Birch Creek, and the
Missouri.
For the vast country of which they claim they were despoiled, the
Blackfeet are asking for $60,000,000 through the United States Court
of Claims.
Valley of Flowers
There was an early tradition among the Indians of
Montana that Gallatin Valley, called by them the "Valley of Flowers"
was neutral ground. The name seems appropriate because of the great
variety of wild flowers found on the mountainsides as well as in the
valley. According to the tradition told to early pioneers by John
Richau, a half breed Indian: In ages past, a band of Sioux and a
band of Nez Perces, deadly enemies, met in Bridger Canyon and spent
two days fighting.
While they were in deadly combat the third day,
darkness over-spread the sun, and a strange noise seemed to come
from the heavens. The contending warriors stood spellbound as a
sweet voice was heard singing and a white flame appeared on top of
the mountain, since called Mount Bridger. The flame settled on
"Maiden Rock," where the figure of a maiden was seen as the darkness
disappeared. In a strange language all seemed to understand, she
said, in part: "Warriors, children of the Great Spirit, sheath the
hatchet and unstring the bow. Shed not the blood of your brothers
here lest it mingle with yonder foaming water and defile the Valley
of Flowers below. There must be no war in the Valley of Flowers, all
must be peace, rest and love. The Spirit Maiden has spoken the words
of the Great Spirit." According to Mr. Richau, the truce of that day
has been sacredly observed by the Indians.
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Additional Blackfeet Indian Records
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Additional Flathead Indian Records
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History of Indians of Montana
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