The Carbon County chronicle. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1924-1924, 1924-09-24
ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING
OF PEACE TREATIES Is Or
SERVED BY FLATHEADs
Trophies are Hung on the Famous
Medicine Tree, The Noted Historic
Landmark; 4 Sacred Custom of
The Slish Tribes.

The traditions of the Selfish
of Flathead Indians were recently
upheld when they gathered with
their white brothers at Medicine
Tree, historic landmark OF the up
per Ritter Root valley. 10 commem-
crate the signing of peace treaties
In years gone by.
Medicine Tree is an ancient yellow
pine held in sacred regard by the
remnants OF the Selfish tribe. Just
above the tree ledge Of rock stands
out In rough outline against the
hills. One large rock cldsely re-
sembles the head OF an Indian chief
and though II has been carved only
by the Great Sculptor, the red men
regard is as \ medicine man and
link It with the old tree In the leg
ends Of their tribe,
For many years. they followed the
custom Of hanging trophies on the
tree In Difference TO the medicine
man and the powers of the Great
Spirit. Beads strung IN many pat
terms, gay blankets and bright
feathers we're hung on the old tree,
making II resemble primitive
Christmas tree In it's gayety
The story OF the tree as related
by Peter pichette, the historian of the
Selfish tribe, tells of an ancient bat
tie between good coyote and a
wicked mountain sheep. The boast
ls,f a..tn h..
dertook to show the coyote how his
strength excelled. The ram butted
the tree with such force that one
horn was imbedded In the tree.
thereby holding the sheep prisoner
until death relieved him.
The horn of the sheep remained In
the tree for many Yeas. according
to legend until some vandal remov-
cd Il. Old timers voueh for hav-
ing seen the horn in the tree years
ago, though they are perhaps skepti-
cal as to the manner Of Its attach
mont TO the tree At any rate they
now point 20 q scar on the old tree
which they say grew over where the
horn once was Embedded
Martin Charlo, now chief OF the
tribe, Is 88 years OF age and one OF
the few full-bloods OF the Selfish
tribe, which now numbers about 500
persons, The tribe is dwindling and
the ways OF the white man have not
proved the best medicine" for many
Of their red brothers.
The old Indians sometimes grow
sad when they speak of former pres
tige and grandeur Instead Of the
hunting ground which formerly pro-
vided their main sustenance, the red
men must now work farms and
gather fruit planted by tho white
man. They take kindly to the work,
however, and each summer finds
them camping In the valley, val
liable asset 10 the apple and straw
berry grower, or they are patient,
tireless workers. The strawberry
field hold no terrors of backache for
the red man who IL accustomed to
keeping close TO mother earth
The name OF Flathead for the In
dams who now live on what Is known
rs the Flathead Indian reservation,
is incorrect, according to the tribal
historian They are the original
Selfish Indians and the term FLAT
head" was applied TO them by the
explorers, Lewis and Clark, who
thought they were OF the Oregon
tribe, which shaped the heads OF the
babies by application of board to
the infant skull.
The formal observance OF the old
custom was revived two years ago
and the old settlers OF the Bitter
Root valley Joined the Indians In n
two day celebration. This was re-
peated last year and the program in
cluded speech by Princess White
Elk, a klamath Indian woman who
has since died. More than 1000
people visited the historic medicine
tree at the ceremonies.