Cree White
The first people to inhabit the area now known as Montana were members of nomadic tribes who supplemented their diets with native plants and sustained its existence by hunting buffalo and other mammals. Following the buffalo herds, these people first crossed the Bering Strait from Asia about 12,000 years ago and migrated southward through time. Archaeologists have verified evidence of a thriving tribal culture established west of the Rocky Mountains, more than 9,000 years ago.
Before the white man west, Indians roamed freely across this great land, after the giant buffalo herds that once covered the plain. For hundreds of years indigenous people relied on the buffalo for food, clothing and shelter. The buffalo was revered among indigenous groups Tribes as a generous gift from the Creator and therefore were hunted with reverence and respect.
The area now known as Montana was inhabited by two groups of tribes Indian. The Blackfeet, Cheyenne, Crow, Arapaho Atsina and Assiniboine tribes lived on the plains south and east. The rugged western mountains were home to the Shoshone, Bannack, Kalispell, Flathead and Kootenai tribes. The Dakota Sioux and Nez Perce tribes came in Montana, hunt and sometimes parts of war issue, but were not residents permanent state.
With the arrival of the Lewis and Clark in the first decade of the 19th century, the traditional lifestyle of the Indians of Montana became increasingly threatened. In the mid 1880s, the federal government officially began dealing with the tribes, the conclusion of treaties that the tribes assigned to certain designated areas and must respect the limits of the lands of their neighbors. However, the mining booms of the 1860s broke these fragile agreements, such as miners rushed into the lucrative gold fields was often next to or within designated tribal lands. These new "settlers" demanded federal protection, thus beginning the garrison of Montana and the eventual forced relocation of tribes to smaller reserves.
The combination of "tribal" and "nation" that best describes the essential aspects both historical and contemporary identity of communities Indians in Montana. There are nine major tribal groups living on seven reservations in Montana. Three of the reserves are inhabited by more than one tribal group.
The Salish Confederate, Pend Oreille and Kootenai share the Flathead Reservation, the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine co-habit of the Fort Belknap Reservation and the Assiniboine and Sioux both reside in the Reserve Fort Peck. In each of these cases, the reserve population is composed of various fragments of the larger nations of the tribe. For example, there are 33 bands of Assiniboine, two of which are represented in the Fort Peck Reservation, where each of the seven primary groups of the Sioux nation are also represented.
The Reserve Rocky Boy's was originally inhabited by members of the Chippewa and Cree tribes. However, due to the wide-between marriage through the generations, tribal rolls now members of the list only as "Chippewa Cree". In 1935, the Chippewa Cree tribal constitution adopted the "Chippewa Cree Tribe," recognizing formally uniting the two tribes into one.
Montana is also home to the Little Shell band of Chippewa, often referred to as "landless Indians". Although a tribal group, the Little Shell are not yet a federally recognized tribe.
Tribal nations differ in several respects. They are based primarily, though not exclusively, ethnic heritage and are racially distinct from other minority groups in Montana and the United States. More important from a legislative standpoint, the tribal nations have a unique status in the American federal system. American Indians are not only an ethnic minority, but are also respected members of quasi-sovereign tribal nations. The Indian nations of Montana are governed by tribal governments that are legally empowered to determine who is and is not a member of that nation. Each of the tribal governments in Montana has established its own criteria for entry, with some requiring higher quantum levels than others.
The tumultuous history of the Indian tribes of Montana is characterized by years of violent war and constant movement. They traveled the plains following the buffalo and the many tribes fought for control of the main hunting grounds. Finally, the bison near extinction and tribes decimated by disease and battles with white settlers, there was a final movement in reserves, which marks the sad end of an era proud and noble.
Indigenous population
According to figures from the 2007 U.S. Census, Montana has a population of approximately 957,800 people, Montana's Indian population was approximately 6.4 percent of total state population.
The census reports information for American Indian areas that includes all American Indian reservations, off-reservation trust lands, and other designated tribal statistical areas. Montana has seven Indian areas. The Indian population ranges from 24% of the total population in the area Flathead to 95% in the Rocky Boy's.
Although the indigenous population in Montana is highly concentrated in some counties, Native Americans live in all 56 counties of the state, ranging from a small percentage of less than 1% in 19 counties and 10% of the population in 29 counties. There are eight counties in which the indigenous up 11% to 56% of the total population.
Each Montana tribe has Indian cultural customs and traditions. The indigenous tribes in the state have tried to adapt to changing world around them, however, have kept the tribal traditions and the mandates of its proud past. In celebration through language, dance, songs sacred and religious ceremonies, the special connection they feel with nature, our rich native tribes contribute to the distinct flavor of Montana.
About the Author:
Marlene Affeld has a passion for the environment and all things natural. A seasoned traveler, Marlene enjoys sharing her experiences with other. Visit Nandu Green at
http://nandugreen.com
for Eco-Friendly products.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Indian Tribes of Montana - A Proud Heritage
Cree White
Cree White
