Wednesday 6 July 2011

Browning Montana - Blackfeet Indian Reservation - North American Indian Days setup

Gas was expensive near the Park, and I wanted to see Browning MT and
at least the setup of the North American Indian Days celebration that the Blackfoot Tribe puts on annually.
Some 20 years ago we happened to be in town for it and found it fun and informative. So we drove to Browning.

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Northern Montana roads straight and fast - approaching Browning from the North, not much to see
Gas price was significantly less expensive than in St. Mary next to the Park.

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At first we only found the City Hall. Driving around a bit we finally saw a group of Tipis and the fairgrounds.

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While walking through the setup area we came upon a tipi which needed setup.
The older fellow who was to set it up became disguested with his young teen help and walked off.
I told the guy who needed it setup that I had set one up before and we would help... we set it up together.
The only surprise was that this was a four pole tipi... one which starts with 4 poles tied together
rather than beginning with a tripod (3 poles). The guy who needed setup understood how to arrange the poles
and we proceeded.

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The cover laying on the ground - The cover tied to the lifting pole

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The poles were very weathered and fragile, as was the cover.

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Putting on the cover - at first it seemed not to fit well.

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fitting the cover - tying it together, followed by lacing with skewers

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Pegging down the perimeter of the cover.

Set up, pegged down, all finished setup.

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The guy whose relatives owned the Tipi. Joseph. Gerard - - - - Joseph. Gerard. Mona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
While Joseph, Gerard and the guy who was responsible for the Tipi did most of the setup
Mona talked with his female cousin and learned about life and customs on the reservation.
The cousin gave us a small dream catcher in thanks for the help.
She also gave us a little bit of tobacco to bless our trailer and keep us safe on our trip.

Side view of the Tipi we put up

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Panorama of some of the encampment. Mounains in the distance are over 10 miles away in Glacier National Park.

Some 20 years ago when I last saw this event there were no dome tents in camp.
This time there were several and also many travel trailers.

BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) wall tents.

These are pitched Blackfeet style - some were decorated and many were not
Note poles that control flaps pierce through - poles extend much higher than the cover.

Leaving Browning MT

The drive back to Glacier National Park from Browning MT
It was well dark before we arrived back in camp.

Glacier National Park - E side to W side