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Blackfeet Tribe and Glacier Park

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History of lands that became Glacier National Park

In the late 19th century before Glacier National Park was created, land west of the Continental Divide was in the public domain and open for settlement. The land east of the Continental Divide was on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.



If this were still the case, a traveler going east from the town of West Glacier on Going-to-the-Sun Road would enter the Blackfeet Indian Reservation after crossing the Continental Divide at Logan Pass.

But history of the region unfolded in a different way. In the later 1800s, prospectors wanted to mine minerals in the area. Copper ore was discovered near Quartz and Mineral Creeks. But there was a problem, the land was owned by the Blackfeet Tribe.

As often the case in early American history, prospectors and promoters appealed to the U.S. Congress for help. Action soon came. Congress passed a bill awarding the Blackfeet Tribe $1,500,000 for a part of their land east of the Continental Divide.

On September 26, 1895, a treaty was signed with the Blackfeet Tribe and later approved by Congress on June 10,1896. The land east of the Continental Divide, today a part of Glacier National Park, was officially transferred to the U.S. Government.

Blackfeet Tribe LOC
Members of Blackfoot Tribe meet with Commissioner of Indian Affairs in 1934. Photo courtesy Library of Congress.

 

Blackfeet Tribe
An employee of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in a meeting with Blackfeet Tribal members in 2016. Photo by Tami Heilemann, courtesy U.S. Department of the Interior.

With this change, the boundary for the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was moved east to a point where the mountains transitioned to prairie lands. The new western boundary of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, negotiated under the Treaty of 1895, remains the same in the present-day.

After some time, prospectors lost interest in the region. Thus, the stage was set for creation of a national park in the region. On May 11, 1910, President Taft signed a bill creating Glacier National Park.

Had the prospectors not showed up in the late 1800s, the mountains east of the Continental Divide would likely still be owned by the Blackfeet Nation. And the Blackfeet would possess a huge chunk of America’s favorite playground.

Still most believe that things really turned out in a good way for the benefit of everyone. The area taken as a whole, both west and east of the Continental Divide, is what makes Glacier very appealing to millions of visitors. And the Blackfeet Nation enjoys playing host to thousands of visitors who pass through their reservation on the way to Glacier National Park.




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Wonderful lodging of all kinds is available for travelers in most cities, big and small. Here are a few choices that are sure to please. Prices for rooms are a bit higher during the peak tourist season. Lodging in Montana is still a good value, however.

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RSS Glacier Official News

  • Bicyclist Rescued in Glacier National Park 15/06/2022
  • “Weed Warriors” Needed to Target Invasive Species 14/06/2022
  • Local Man Falls on Mt. Brown Climb 08/06/2022
  • GNP Vehicle Reservations Required Starting May 27 24/05/2022

RSS Yellowstone Official News

  • Man gored by bison in Yellowstone National Park 28/06/2022
  • Beartooth Highway (US-212) partially reopened with nighttime closures 28/06/2022
  • MODERATE fire danger in Yellowstone National Park 27/06/2022

Hiking In Helena Montana

Want to go hiking in the mountains. Try the trail that goes to the top of Mt. Helena, in Helena. This is an easy one even for young people. Elevation at top, 5,468 feet. Biking allowed too. The view of the mountains to the south and west from the top is awesome.

Don’t Miss in Montana

Montana Historical Society Museum in Helena. *** Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park. *** Bigfork, a quaint and charming town in the wilderness. *** Funky downtown Missoula.

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Shop Merino Wool Clothing

Made is Montana is always special. For the finest Merino Wool clothing go online to DuckworthCo.com. Wool used in their products comes from sheep raised on a ranch in southwest Montana.

Montana Luxury Vacations

Luxury vacation destinations offer extra nice lodging, great cuisine, and abundant activities, all in beautiful surroundings:. Triple Creek Ranch near Darby, Montana in the Bitterroot Valley offers so much. (406) 821-4600. TrippleCreekRanch.com. *** The Resort at Paws Up near Greenough, Montana, located 35 minutes northeast of Missoula, rivals the best. (877) 580-6343. PawsUp.com *** The Sage Lodge, a few miles south of Livingston, Montana, offers luxury and great amenities. This is a new resort. In a word, very Nice. (855) 400-0505. SageLodge.com *** The Silver Bow Club, in southwest Montana, offers luxury and wonderful outdoor activities. In Divide, Montana. (406) 491-2157. Silverbowclub.com ***

Gold Prospecting Supplies

The Prospector Shop is on U.S. Highway 12 a few miles west of Helena, Montana. A great place to pick up all kinds of supplies needed for prospecting. Gold mining pans and more. Nice souvenirs here too for wanna-be prospectors. Call (406) 442-1872.

Starbucks in Montana Too

Hey you are in far away Montana.  But finding a familiar coffee shop is a good thing.  Starbucks coffee houses:  in Billings (Grand Avenue); in Kalispell (Main Street); in Bozeman (Main Street) in Missoula (Reserve Avenue); in Helena (Prospect Avenue); in Great Falls (10th Ave. South).

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Blackfeet Nation

Blackfeet Nation (Native Americans) seek to keep cultural traditions alive. Their reservation borders the east side of Glacier National Park in north-central Montana. Flathead Beacon story.

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