Tribal elder Frances ‘Plesewe’ Vanderburg has passed. Tribal Council ordered that in her honor Tribal flags will be lowered until her services.
Frances taught the Salish language and was a frequent speaker of history and culture at numerous events. She regularly spoke at the annual Beartracks Celebration Powwow in downtown mIssoula, which was captured in a 2022 Char-Koosta News article.
She said in the article, “It feels good to be here,” said Frances Vanderburg, adding that as a young person her family used to camp in the area where the University of Montana is and dig bitterroot and fish. “The Salish people have been in this area forever.”
She was a strong and consistent voice for sharing about the Tribal connection to this region.
Frances was unable to attend this year’s Beartracks Celebration, but through family she sent the message, “remember to love yourself,” and “stay warm,” as it was too cold for her to attend.
The event commemorates the 2021 decision to rename the Higgins Avenue Bridge to Beartracks Bridge, recognizing the deep historical and cultural significance of the site to the Bitterroot Salish people. In 1891, the Salish were forcibly removed from their homelands in the Bitterroot Valley, crossing near this very place in what became known as the Salish Trail of Tears.
Frances often spoke at the annual PIR teacher instruction day held by CSKT, she gave talks at Travelers’ Rest, she spoke at Medicine Tree trips, and she had joined the annual Woman’s March, called one of the largest global demonstrations in modern history. She was featured in countless interviews, some are featured on PBS of her dedication to teaching Salish to young students. She will be missed.
Deepest sympathies to family, community, and friends.