Flathead Chief

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The Flathead, also known as the Salish, comprised, with the Spokane and the Kalispel, the Interior Salish tribes who lived in western Montana and Idaho.

Once they acquired horses, the Salish began hunting buffalo on the Plains, in addition to other game in the mountains. They exchanged their mat and frame sunken lodges for skin tipis and adopted clothing of the northern Plains type, usually made of buffalo skin.

Each band of related families camped together and was led by a chief and an assistant chief; there was also a tribal chief. They were selected for their leadership qualities, such as bravery, wisdom and influence.

Flathead chiefs moved about the camp on horseback or on foot every morning and evening exhorting the people to be honest, unquarrelsome, kind, hospitable and brave.

This chief is wearing his hair in a style adopted after 1850, leaving the forelock uncut and thrown back above the forehead, dressing the side hair in braids hanging in front of the shoulders, and leaving the back to hang loosely. His war club and eagle-bone whistle were both from the Plains culture.

Information was provided by the Library of Congress Publishing Office.

This pastel was painted from a reference photo by Edward S. Curtis circa 1900.