Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes

CONTACT INFORMATION

Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes
PO Box 278 | 42487 Complex Blvd
Pablo, MT 59855
Phone: (406) 675-2700 | Fax: (406) 675-2806
Official Website: www.cskt.org

THE PEOPLE

The Flathead Indian Reservation is home to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes. The tribes are a combination of the Salish, the Pend d'Oreille and the Kootenai. Of the approximately 7,753 enrolled tribal members, about 5,000 live on or near the reservation.

LOCATION

North of Interstate 90 between Missoula and Kalispell, fertile valleys and towering mountain peaks of northwestern Montana surround the Flathead Reservation. The reservation comprises over 1.2 million acres.

ECONOMY

The principle sources of income for the tribes are derived from its timber industry sales and from revenues paid to the tribes through the co-license for the Kerr Dam facility with Montana PPL. The tribes also operate a full-service resort and casino in Polson, which is overseen by S&K Gaming, a tribal corporation. The Tribes also operate S&K Electronics, which manufactures various computer components and circuits, S&K Technologies, and S&K Holding, which operates a number of income producing enterprises as well as offering business loans to tribal members.

POINTS OF INTEREST

Cultural Center "The People's Center"

For thousands of years the Salish, Pend d'Oreille and the Kootenai have inhabited lands that eventually became western Montana and the surrounding region. The People's Center tells the story of these tribes through a museum, an exhibit gallery, educational programs and a quality gift shop.
Pablo
406-675-0160
www.peoplescenter.org

Flathead Lake State Park

Flathead is the largest freshwater lake in the West. Points of interest on the lake include Wild Horse Island and five other scenic state units on the reservation: Finley Point, Yellow Bay, Big Arm, Wayfarers and West Shore. Except for Wild Horse Island, all units offer camping, fishing, boating and swimming.

406-752-5501

The National Bison Range/Pablo National Wildlife Refuge

Approximately 500 readily visible bison roam nearly 20,000 acres of natural grassland. Visitors are also likely to see elk, bighorn sheep, antelope and deer on self-guided auto tours, year-round.

Moiese
406-644-2211

Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge and State Wildlife Management Area

This area is one of Montana's designated Wildlife Viewing sites. It is an exceptional wetland complex, prime for birdwatching.

Ronan
406-644-2211

St. Ignatius Mission

Established in 1854, the mission was built by Native Americans under the direction of Catholic missionaries. There are 58 original murals by Brother Joseph Carignano on its walls and ceiling. The Mission Range of mountains provides a striking backdrop for the mission.

St. Ignatius
406-745-2768

Salish Kootenai College

Tours of campus are available. The college offers two- and four-year degrees. A nine-hole executive golf course, Silver Fox, is part of the campus.

Pablo
406-675-4800
www.skc.edu

TRIBAL GOVERNMENT

Constitution and By-laws for the
Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation

The Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribal Council consists of ten councilmen elected from the following districts: Jocko Valley and Mission Districts, two councilmen each; Ronan, Pablo, Polson, Elmo-Dayton, Hot Springs-Camas Prairie, and Dixon, one councilman each. Council members serve four-year staggered terms. Elections are held in October and December of every other year.

Meet the current membership of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribal Council: www.cskt.org

FAST FACTS

• Headquartered in Pablo, the Flathead Reservation is ranked fourth in land base encompassing approximately 1.3 million acres.
• The reservation is home to 65% of the 7,443 enrolled Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribal members.
• The Flathead Indian Reservation is home to three tribes, the Bitterroot Salish, upper Pend d'Oreille and Kootenai.
• The name the Salish people used to describe themselves is "Sqelix ^w" and the Kootenai call themselves "Ktunaxa".
• In July of every year, the tribe celebrates the Arlee Pow Wow and the Standing Arrow Pow Wow.