Salish and Kootenai Cultural Committees visit Bad Rock

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes supported the conservation of the Bad Rock Canyon project from the start. Last week, the Lakers and our key conservation partners, MT Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and the Flathead Land Trust, were honored to take 25 elders and members of the Salish and Kootenai Culture Committees to see the property as the project nears completion. We look forward to more opportunities to work with CSKT to preserve places that are both ecologically and culturally valuable.

This project will protect 772 acres of land along a mile of the Flathead River, critical for clean water and wildlife. This land is within the traditional territory of the Kootenai Tribes. One elder in the group remarked that the wildlife showed their ancestors the way; if deer and elk can survive, then humans know that it is a good place too, and that they have everything they need to survive.

While they were pleased to see this sacred land protected, several members expressed concern as restrictions on private and public lands limit how they can access traditional sites. This is the first of many conversations we hope to have as we learn more from the first - and ongoing - stewards of the watershed we call home.

Learn more about the Bad Rock Canyon Conservation Project.