The CSKT Bison Range

In September 1805, Lewis and Clark met the Bitterroot Salish people near present-day Stevensville, Montana, in the Bitterroot Valley. The relationship between the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) of the Flathead Reservation in Montana is a significant moment in American history, offering insight into the early interactions between U.S. explorers and Indigenous nations.

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have a deep connection with the land and the buffalo. It is because of the actions taken by the Salish, Kootenai and Pend d’Oreilles that buffalo were not made extinct in the United States. The herd was started by the Salish, Kootenai and Pend d’Oreilles Tribes, though it was taken away from them by the United States Government for management purposes. The bison range sits on more than 18,000 acres of undeveloped land in northwest Montana — land taken by the U.S. Government without the consent of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. In 2020, Congress moved to return management of the Bison Range to the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes to continue management and restoration of endangered species. The Bison Range is set in a breathtaking panorama of rolling hills, expansive grasslands and rugged mountains. Nestled beneath the grandeur of the Rockies, the landscape is home to a diverse array of plants and wildlife. Visitors can witness the iconic bison, elk, deer and a symphony of birdlife, creating a scene that feels both timeless and untamed.

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have worked hard to manage surrounding tribal lands and restore wetland habitats. They have set aside tens of thousands of acres as grizzly bear, elk and bighorn sheep conservation areas as they continue to protect the natural and cultural resources. The CSKT Bison Range is a must-see! Visitors praise the breathtaking scenery and wildlife that surrounds them.