Treaty Rights

The Hellgate Treaty, signed in 1855, established the Flathead Indian Reservation for the Bitterroot Salish, Upper Pend d’Oreille, and Kootenai tribes. It recognized their sovereignty and reserved certain rights, including fishing and hunting, both on and off the reservation. Though the negotiations were fraught with poor translation, the treaty remains foundational for the Tribes’ sovereign rights today.

The treaty serves as a foundational document affirming the Tribes’ inherent sovereignty, allowing them to govern their lands, resources, and people. It underpins the Tribes’ ability to manage resources through various departments, such as Natural Resources and Tribal Lands.

No. There have been numerous violations, including forced assimilation policies, land loss through allotment, and underfunding of treaty obligations. Despite this, CSKT leaders have continuously fought to uphold the treaty’s intent and defend their rights through negotiation, litigation, and diplomacy.

The Salish, Pend d’Oreille, and Kootenai are three distinct tribes with deep roots in the Northwest, including present-day Montana, Idaho, and Canada. They have unique languages, traditions, and histories but came together under the 1855 Hellgate Treaty to form the Confederated Tribes. Each tribe maintains strong cultural practices and distinct dialects that continue to be passed down through generations.

Traditional place-names in Salish and Kootenai reflect not just geography, but stories, teachings, and spiritual relationships with the land. Names like Čɫq̓étkʷ (‘Wide Surface of Water’) for Flathead Lake carry cultural memory and ecological understanding. Preserving these names helps strengthen identity, history, and the connection between people and place.

The Tribes support language revitalization through immersion schools, classes, dictionaries, and digital resources. Nk̓ʷusm, a Salish-language immersion school, plays a key role in teaching youth the language and cultural values. Cultural committees and elders also record traditional knowledge to preserve it for future generations.

Oral storytelling is a central part of tribal life, used to pass on history, morals, and practical knowledge. Stories often feature characters like Coyote, who shaped the land and taught lessons about behavior and community. These stories connect past and present and are still told today in homes, classrooms, and ceremonies.

Cultural centers like the Three Chiefs Cultural Center serve as hubs for education, exhibits, events, and intergenerational learning. They house important artifacts, programs, and archives that help preserve and celebrate the Tribes’ heritage. They also welcome the public to learn about tribal history and culture in respectful ways.

The Salish and Kootenai Housing Authority manages affordable housing options for eligible tribal members. Services include rental units, homeownership support, and housing repairs.

Members can apply through the Housing Authority’s main office or online portal. Applicants must meet eligibility guidelines related to income, tribal enrollment, and housing needs.

The Tribes co-manage Flathead Lake, focusing on balancing recreational use with environmental preservation. Efforts include monitoring water quality, regulating fishing activities, and implementing conservation programs to protect native species.

Salish Point in Polson has been developed into a community area that reflects the Tribes’ commitment to environmental stewardship and cultural preservation. The site offers public access to the lake while honoring its cultural significance.

Flathead Lake, or Čɫq̓étkʷ, is considered a sacred place central to the identity of the Ql̓ispé (Pend d’Oreille) and other CSKT members like the Ksanka or Kootenai. For millennia, it has been a source of food, travel, and spiritual meaning.

The Tribes run programs to reduce non-native lake trout and support native species like bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout. Tools include netting, fishing contests, and habitat restoration. These efforts help maintain ecological balance and protect fish central to tribal culture and history.

The bull trout is a culturally and ecologically significant native species. It has sustained tribal communities for generations and is a symbol of clean, cold, connected waters.

Established in 1982, the Mission Mountains Tribal Wilderness is the first tribally designated wilderness area in the U.S. It protects sacred lands, wildlife habitat, and natural resources while allowing for traditional cultural practices. The area is managed for both conservation and spiritual purposes.

Forestry is essential to managing the health, sustainability, and economic value of the Flathead Reservation’s 400,000+ acres of forested land. The CSKT Forestry Department oversees everything from wildfire prevention and timber harvesting to habitat restoration and cultural resource protection. Forests are seen not just as resources, but as sacred landscapes that require responsible and long-term care.

CSKT uses a blend of traditional ecological knowledge and modern forestry science to manage tribal lands. Forest plans include selective harvesting, controlled burns, and replanting efforts that promote biodiversity and reduce wildfire risk. Tribal forest practices often exceed federal and state standards for sustainability and environmental protection.

Forestry contributes significantly to the tribal economy through timber sales, mill operations, and contracting services. Revenues from forest management help support government programs, infrastructure, and local jobs—many held by tribal members. CSKT also operates forest thinning and fire-prevention crews.

The Tribes protect culturally important plant species, ceremonial areas, and spiritual sites during all forestry operations. Management decisions are guided by traditional beliefs about respecting the land and ensuring it remains healthy for the next seven generations.

Tribal forestry offers careers in silviculture, fire management, GIS mapping, forest health monitoring, and environmental science. Many tribal youth are introduced to these careers through internships, scholarships, and training programs supported by the Forestry Department and Salish Kootenai College.

The CSKT Tribal Lands and Natural Resource departments oversee land use planning, grazing, forestry, water, wildlife, and minerals. They balance economic needs with environmental stewardship, guided by traditional values and scientific research. This ensures that the land remains healthy and productive for future generations.

Land is the foundation of CSKT’s culture, economy, and spirituality. It provides resources for food, ceremony, and livelihood, and it connects people to their ancestors and future generations. Protecting and restoring tribal lands is both a practical and sacred responsibility.

Education is central to CSKT’s mission of cultural preservation, economic self-sufficiency, and tribal sovereignty. The Tribes invest in early childhood programs, K-12 support, higher education scholarships, and workforce development. Cultural education, including language and history, is integrated into many programs to reinforce identity and pride.

Salish Kootenai College (SKC) is a tribally controlled college located in Pablo, Montana. It serves both Native and non-Native students and offers degrees in education, health, forestry, and tribal governance. SKC is nationally recognized for academic excellence and its role in advancing tribal self-determination.

The Flathead Reservation offers incredible opportunities for boating, fishing, hiking, birdwatching, and camping. Visitors can enjoy places like Flathead Lake, Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge, and the Mission Mountains—while respecting tribal rules and environmental protections.

Visitors are expected to stay on trails, pack out trash, avoid disturbing wildlife, and honor cultural sites. Recreational use should align with the Tribes’ respect for the land, water, and spiritual places. Always review permit conditions before your trip.

The Tribes own and operate several enterprises, including S&K Technologies, S&K Electronics, Mission Valley Power, and Eagle Bank. These businesses support economic self-sufficiency and provide jobs for tribal and non-tribal residents.

Tribal enterprises generate revenue that supports government programs, education, infrastructure, and economic development. They also reduce reliance on federal funding and create jobs for tribal and non- tribal residents alike. This economic independence reinforces CSKT sovereignty and long-term planning.

In 2015, the Tribes acquired the Kerr Dam, now known as the Séliš Ksanka Ql̓ispé Dam, becoming the first tribe to own and operate a major hydroelectric facility. This move represents a milestone in energy sovereignty and long-term economic planning. The origin of the takeover began in 1985 when CSKT became a co-license holder of the dam with F.E.R.C. (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)

Energy Keepers Inc. is a tribally owned corporation that manages SKQ Dam’s hydroelectric operations. It sells power on the open market and reinvests profits into tribal programs and energy development.

This acquisition marked a historic moment in tribal energy sovereignty and economic leadership.

Yes, the Tribal Police Department enforces laws on the Reservation and works in coordination with local and federal agencies. It provides a range of services including patrol, investigations, and community policing.

CSKT officers often collaborate with city police departments, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol, and federal entities through cross-deputization agreements. These partnerships help maintain safety and uphold sovereignty.

Yes, hiking is allowed in many areas of the reservation, especially in the Mission Mountains Tribal Wilderness and public-access trails near Flathead Lake. However, visitors should respect posted signs, avoid entering closed or culturally sensitive areas, and be mindful that some land is privately owned or reserved for tribal use.

Tribal enterprises generate revenue that supports government programs, education, infrastructure, and economic development. They also reduce reliance on federal funding and create jobs for tribal and non- tribal residents alike. This economic independence reinforces CSKT sovereignty and long-term planning.

The Mission Mountains Tribal Wilderness is the first tribal wilderness area designated in the United States. It offers pristine landscapes, spiritual significance, and habitat for wildlife. Hiking there is a chance to experience nature respectfully, with minimal impact, while appreciating the cultural and ecological richness of CSKT lands.

Yes. Recreation permits are required for non-tribal members who plan to hike, fish, camp, or otherwise enjoy the outdoors on tribal lands. Permits can be purchased online or at local sporting goods stores and help support conservation and stewardship efforts.

Big game hunting is reserved for enrolled CSKT tribal members, in recognition of treaty rights and the cultural importance of these species. However, non-tribal hunters can hunt upland game birds and waterfowl in specific areas of the reservation with a CSKT Bird Hunting Permit. Be sure to follow all tribal and state regulations, including seasonal restrictions and bag limits.

Non-tribal hunters with the proper permit may pursue pheasant, Hungarian partridge, grouse, ducks, and geese in designated open areas. The bird populations are well-managed, and hunting is allowed to support both recreation and conservation goals. A map of permitted areas is provided with the permit.

Bird hunting is allowed in specific zones marked in the Tribal Hunting Regulations. Permits are available through CSKT’s Natural Resources Department or local sporting goods stores. It’s important to carry your permit at all times and respect all signs, boundaries, and tribal enforcement policies.

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes manage wildlife for ecological balance and cultural preservation. Big game animals like elk and deer are not just resources—they hold spiritual and ancestral importance. Restricting big game hunting ensures these values are respected while still allowing non-tribal guests to enjoy the land through bird hunting opportunities.