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Indians 101: Some Flathead Reservation artifacts (photo diary)

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by Ojibwa for Native American Netroots

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Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025 Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025 at 7:15:05am PST

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The Polson Flathead Lake Museum in Polson, Montana, is on the Flathead Indian Reservation, the home of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. The museum includes some American Indian artifacts.

P1540027 — Shown above is a 1910 dancing shirt made for Joseph Albert Couchard (Kootenai).

P1540028 — Detail of the dancing shirt

P1540030 — Detail of the dancing shirt

P1540031 — Detail of the dancing shirt

P1540029 — Dancing shirt belt

P1530976

P1530977 — Detail of the Doll’s beadwork.

P1540037

P1540040 — Shown above is one of the “arrowhead” collections. From an archaeological perspective, this type of collection tells us very little about the past.

P1540052 — Shown above is a small beaded bag.

Ancient Artifacts

P1540046 — Shown above is a grinding stone (mano and metate) used for processing food plants.

P1540047

P1540048

Replicas

According to the Museum:

“These objects were made by Tim Ryan using the traditional materials and processes.

We use them during educational programs both in the museum and the schools.”

P1540033

P1540034 — Shown above is a parfleche.

P1540035

P1540036 — The dream catcher appears to be attached to a dance staff.

Paintings

P1540359 — This painting shows women processing hides.

P1540361 — This painting shows Fort Connah, a Hudson Bay trading post.

Note: These photographs were taken on June 6, 2025.

More American Indian museum exhibits

Indians 101: A small collection of American Indian artifacts (museum exhibit)

Indians 101: 1855 Hellgate Treaty Signing (museum exhibition)

Indians 101: A collection of Plateau Indian artifacts (museum exhibit)

Indians 101: A display of Plateau Indian beadwork (museum exhibit)

Indians 101: Flathead Reservation baskets (museum exhibit)

Indians 101: Some Plateau Indian artifacts (museum exhibit)

Indians 101: Sanpoil and Wanapan Indians (museum exhibit)

Indians 101: Plateau Indian food gathering (museum exhibit)