The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1924-09-26
WHITES JOIN WITH
SELFISH INDIANS In
BIG CELEBRATION
ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING
OF PEACE TREATIES is OBJ
SERVED BY FLATHEADS
Trophies are Hung on the Famous
Medicine Tree, The Noted Historic
Landmark; A Sacred Custom of
The Selfish 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 Bitter Root valley, to 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 closely re-
sembles the head of an Indian chief
and though it 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 were hung on the old tree,
making it resemble a primitive
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
wicked mountain sheep. The boast
ing ram came to grief when he I'M
dertook to show the coyote how his
the tree with such force that one
horn was imbedded in the tree,
thereby holding the sheep a prisoner
until death relieved him.
The horn of the sheep remained in
the tree for many yeats, according
to legend until some vandal remov-
ed it. Old timers vouch for hav-
ing seen the horn in the tree years
ago, though they are perhaps skepti-
cal as to the manner of its attach
ment to the tree. At any rate they
now point to a scar on the old tree
which they say grew over where the
horn once was imbedded
Martin Charlo, now chief of the
tribe, is So 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 the white
man. They take kindly to the work,
however, and each summer finds
hem camping in the valley, a val
liable asset to the apple and straw
berry grower, or they are patient,
ireless workers. The strawberry
,ield hold no terrors of backache for
he red man who is accustomed to
keeping close to mother earth.
The name of Flathead for the In
lians who now live on what is known
Us the Flathead Indian reservation, !
S incorrect, according to the tribal /
historian. They are the original
selfish Indians and the term 'Flat-
lead' was applied to them by the
Lewis and Clark, who
bought they were of the Oregon {
ribe, which shaped the heads of the !
'abies by application of a board to
he infant skull.
The formal observance of the old t
ustom was revived two years ago
nd the old settlers of the Bitter :
loot valley joined the Indians in a
wo day celebration. This was re-
Gated last year and the program in +
luded speech by Princess White {
Tx, klamath Indian woman who
las since died. More than 1000
eople visited the historic medicine I
rec at the ceremonies. t