Description: Encounter the Bitterroot Salish is a Lewis and Clark, Bicentennial related festival and Pow Wow in the Upper Bitterroot Valley in Sula.Without the friendship and assistance given by the Bitterroot Salish to the Expedition, the Corps of Discovery would not have been successful in crossing the ancient Lolo Trail through the daunting Bitterroot Mountains. The Salish gave them shelter, food, and excellent horses. This is a celebration of the Native American generosity, diplomacy, and hospitality that was experienced by the Lewis and Clark Expedition as well as many others of European decent who followed and sometimes settled in the Bitterroot Valley and Western Montana. View the Welcoming Ceremony, Contest Dancing, Paid Drums per session, food vendors, free buffalo feed, Native American vendors, arts, and crafts. Take part in the Guided Powwow Tours and Tipi Camping. Lewis and Clark Reenactors and the Traveler's Rest Brigade will be reenacting the First Meeting between the Bitterroot Salish and the Lewis and Clark Expedition that took place on the historic date of September 4, 1805. Plans are underway to dedicate an area where the general public can watch all or a portion of John Arlee's video of the live performance pageant (outdoors, full-regalia, horses, etc.) regarding the history and culture of the Salish and Pend D'Orielle Indians and how they offered friendship and assistance to the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805. September 9th, 2005, Welcome Ceremony, 7:00pm.Saturday 10th, 2005 Grand Entry, 1:00pm
Directions: Encounter the Bitterroot Salish will be held two miles past Sula store and campground. Sula is 71 miles past Missoula or 30 miles past Hamilton. Event is located next to Highway 93 at the Old 2000 Fire Camp location.
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