Members of the Salish tribe walked from Arlee to Stevensville in honor of their ancestors' forced relocation to the Flathead Indian Reservation. 

More than a century after the Salish people were forced from their homelands in the Bitterroot Valley to the Flathead Indian Reservation, a group of tribal members honored their ancestors’ melancholic march with a somber journey home. 

“We are retracing our footsteps back to where we once lived, hunted, fished and enjoyed life,” tribal elder Tony Incashola said during the ceremony marking the start of the group’s 50-mile walk from Arlee to Stevensville.

Camping in tents and teepees along the way, the group arrived at their destination on Oct. 15 – the same date that Chief Charlo or the Salish led his tribe away from the Bitterroot Valley 125 years ago. 

Walk organizer Willie Stevens said that the journey was designed as an opportunity for reflection of the adversity their forefathers endured. He said tribal members organized a shorter march on the 100-year anniversary of the 1891 removal, however it strayed from its purpose. 

“A lot of people didn’t like that one because it turned into kind of a parade,” he said. “This was not supposed to be a celebration. This was more solemn.”

During the send off ceremony, Incashola described the importance of honoring tribal history. 

“Although the Salish people came under hardships, they stayed proud,” he said. “They remained strong and now you remain strong.”

As with many stories involving a “trail of tears,” the removal of the Salish was marked by threats of bloodshed and broken promises from the federal government. According to a pamphlet created for the reenactment, Congress began to plan the resettlement of Native Americans from the Bitterroot Valley in the early 1870s, but Chief Charlo remained steadfast, even under the threat of attack. Eventually, however, the deteriorating conditions of his people convinced the Salish chief to move onto the reservation, where the tribe hoped to finally be left alone.

While preparing to retrace their ancestors’ steps, one walker wore a shoal belonging to a survivor of the original march. Participants wafted themselves with smoke during a smudge ceremony and the lead walker starting the procession carrying a wooden staff adorned with animal feathers and traditional decorations. 

The ceremony was reflective of the emphasis tribal members place on preserving their cultural heritage. 

“We must remember not to live just for us,” Incashola told the walkers as they left Arlee, “but also for the next generation.”