Traverse northwestern United States and southwestern Canada to admire the grandeur of the indigenous homelands of the Salish, Kootenai, and Pend d’Oreille people. Explore the headwaters of the Columbia River. Imagine crossing the Rocky Mountains through present day Glacier Park to hunt buffalo on horseback, or on foot. Envision a purely subsistence lifestyle, within an economic system based on bison, fish, roots, berries, and nature’s other provisions.

Imagine, too, the changes in centuries-old lifeways when Europeans came—new foods, new tools, new weapons, new diseases, new economies, new blood, Mother Earth, the provider and sustainer of all needs, became a possession—a territory-land to be “owned” and occupied by white settlers. The aboriginal lands, 22 million acres, to which the people belonged, were ceded to the United States government in exchange for a reservation of 1,245,000 acres, which belonged to the people. Thus, the Flathead Indian Reservation, through the Treaty of Hellgate in 1855, brought together three tribes—two of which (Salish and Pend d’Oreille) were related by language and lifeways, and one whose language and lifeways were totally different (Kootenai).

Sweeping changes in culture were largely influenced by the Jesuit Fathers who founded St. Ignatius Mission, French fur traders, homesteaders, treaty negotiators, and federal Indian agents.

Against this backdrop, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Indian Reservation have forged a government, an economy, health care, Salish Kootenai College, and many social services for the people. The people are lawyers, nurses, farmers, homemakers, loggers, teachers, and business owners. They manage forests, water, land, and mineral resources. They have adapted, yet they remain true to their culture.

Once again, imagine melding ancient lifeways with contemporary life. This is The People’s Center. Born of proud traditions, enriching a living culture with a sense of place for the people to gather, share, learn, and tell their story to their own and to visitors. Enjoy exhibits which take you back to “The Beginning: The First Sun.” Learn the languages which are still being spoken by families. Partake in a feast including buffalo, elk, venison, fry bread, huckleberries. See beadwork and quillwork on buckskin, still scraped, tanned, and smoked by hand. Immerse yourself in the culture of the people who invented “Made in Montana.”

The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. From Memorial Day through Labor Day it is open weekends also from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A small admission fee is charged. Source: Peoples Center brochure.