The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1958-02-28
UIm 'Pishkun'
DruWs Interest
AT Falls Meetinu

The Great Falls MIA local history
group sponsored luncheon in Great
Falls the goth of February to which
interested people were invited to
discuss the pishkun site (See VOICE
Feb. 14) three miles north and a
little bit east of Ulm where the state
land board has granted lease to
excavate.
The MIA group has asked that the
lease be held back because there has
been interest in designating the site
as historical monument. They felt
people are still interested in the site
and would like to know more about it..
Speaking at the luncheon were DR..
CARING Malouf of the science depart
ment at MSU and Ashley Roberts, di-
rector of state parks. Jim Cave, who
has the lease to excavate, was also
in attendance.
Malouf pointed out that in many
places where construction takes place
funds are set aside for Astrological
salvage, and said Washington Water
Power, pipe line companies and even
in the highway construction program
such funds are provided. He said the
lease with Mr.. Cave also allows funds
for this purpose. He suggested the
artifacts might be transferred to some
other state park, or that whole sec
lions might be left by the contractor
for purposes of display. He also sug-
gested the MIA and other crock
groups" might raise funds to transfer
these into state park.
Ashley Roberts said an advisory
group interested in historic sites has
stated there should be research done
to find pishkun site to be included
in the state park system and they
have said it would be we'll if it were
located on state land.
AS to the site under discussion,
Roberts said he was very much afraid |
the state land board could not simply |
set aside or give this land away, but
there is a possibility the state park
division could buy the land. He said
however, the state park division has
only purchased one site out of the II
they administer. The others, Roberts
said, have been given by groups or
counties or are under lease from the
federal government at no cost.
If this site were to be purchased
he said eve would have to depend on
the good will of groups such as this"
as the park service els not blessed
with much money. He pointed out
The condition of the state treasury
and said all state departments are
going to be asked to cut back on ex-
oenditures.
The MIA thinking was termed as
Visionary. They envision a state I
park showing Indians conducting a t
with concrete buffalo, tepees
md keeping artifacts in permanent
manner. ~
Mr.. Cave reported there are pro-
yisions in his lease that call for leav- {
ng undisturbed cross-sections and E
,rovide payments to the antropolog- |
SITS. Malouf said, 1--WE are putting re-
earch funds into the thing before 7
Iigging even starts. He said, "we c
ope to get a sampling of the site I
ere and there, it will be very valu- t
BILE scientifically. He said it can't e
re expected they will get every arrow e
cad. The early exploratory work i
7ill be done with from Is to 20 t
tudents from the University. C
All artifacts uncovered will go to a
he State of Montana and the Uni
ersity will become the depository. O
Those who want the site left intact, "
nd don't want it mined at all, con- e
der it a tourist attraction and be- g
eve it is the only one left in the F
tate that is accessible to tourists. Il
Spokesman for these people said n
lie value to the state of the pishkun g
S tourist site would far exceed the
;ate's share from the excavation a
ork which would end shortly whereas r.
lie tourist attraction would be a d
sting benefit. t;