skull remains as one. The skull has a jagged line from horn to horn There is the sun and its rays. These representing the Milk River, a major tributary of the Missouri. Northern Cheyenne Tribe represent the clans of the Crow. Snake Butte is illustrated above the skull. This butte is a well- Tribe: Northern Cheyenne Three mountains are depicted. They known landmark for tribes throughout the North. are the three mountains on the present Tribal Name: Tsetsêhesêstâhase- So’taa’eo’o The two arrowheads facing each other emphasize the strong day Crow Reservation: the Wolf Teeth, traditional ties with the past. Reservation: Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation the Pryor and the Big Horn Mountains. Seven feathers hang from the shield. Each feather is for Website: http://www.cheyennenation.com/ They are considered sacred by the Crow. every two of the twelve council members who represent the Tribal College: Chief Dull Knife College The two rivers depicted are the Big Big reservation’s three districts and the center feather represents the http://www.cdkc.edu/ Horn and the Little Big Horn Rivers. tribal chairman. The tipi is white because it represents purity and goodness. Flag and Seal: The Northern The tipi has the foundational structure of the four base poles. They Cheyenne Flag was developed during represent the never ending Cycle of the Seasons. The tipi has the Montana the tribal administration of Chairman Assiniboine and two ventilator flap poles. They are the sentries that watch over John Wooden Legs. The diamond shape Sioux Tribes the home: the Coyote by day and the Owl at night. The tipi is represents the Morning Star, which Tribes: Assiniboine and Sioux anchored by stakes, which were gifts from the badger who said was also another tribal name of Chief Tribal Names: Nakoda, Lakota, Dakota the stakes have the strength of his claws when they are imbedded Dull Knife. His descendants are called Tribal in the ground. The tipi is flanked by the two war bonnets, Reservation: Fort Peck Indian Reservation “The Morning Star People.” representing the Crow clan system. Website: http://www.fortpecktribes.org/ The Morning Star on the flag has The Crow belief system has four major foundations, and each Tribal College: Fort Peck Community College a simple design but its message is the is represented on the emblem: the clan system, the sweat lodge, past and present survival of the people. http://www.fpcc.edu/ the sacred tobacco bundle, and the pipe. The tipi on the emblem Flags The Morning Star will rise each day Flag: The Fort Peck Reservation represents the white tipi given to Yellow Leggins by White Owl. and bring light to the Cheyenne people is home to several bands from each The sweat lodge is a gift from the Creator since the beginning of now and to those yet to be born. The tribe of the Assiniboine and Sioux. the Crow. The sacred tobacco bundle represents the foundation Northern Cheyenne identify themselves The Assiniboine are represented by of the religion of the Crow. The pipe is the spiritual gift from the and as the people of Chief Morning Star the Canoe Paddler Band and the Red Seven Sacred Buffalo Bulls and Buffalo Woman. When the pipe is and Little Wolf, who led their people Bottom Band. The Sioux include parts of the Sisseton, Wahpeton, lit, the mind is to be filled with good, pure thoughts and peace. Yanktonai and Hunkpapa Teton bands. on a heartbreaking journey back from their forced placement in The tribal flag of the Fort Peck Tribes was designed and Oklahoma to their homelands in the great Northern Plains. Seals sketched by artist Roscoe White Eagle. The flag of the Fort Peck Tribes is depicted on a field of blue sky. The two chiefs displaying the robe of the prairie buffalo is befitting of the fact Crow Tribe Blackfeet that two tribes, Assiniboine and Sioux, reside together on the Tribe: Crow Rocky Boy’s same reservation. The tribal names appear along the trail of Tribal Name: Apsáalooke Fort Peck the two chiefs’ headdresses in white. The sacred robe of the ort Reservation: Crow Indian Reservation Flathead F buffalo symbolizes the tight and lasting bond of friendship and Belknap Website: http://www.crowtribe.com/ understanding between the two tribes. Tribal College: Little Big Horn College Montana Indian Seal: The seal was created in the Reservations Northern 1980’s. The Tribal Employment Rights http://www.lbhc.edu/ Cheyenne Crow Office (TERO) received a request from Flag and Emblem: The Crow oil companies drilling on the reservation Cultural Commission designed the Crow to purchase water from the tribes. tribal emblem and flag and the graphic The oil companies requested a map of illustration was designed by Lawrence water ways on the reservation. After Big Hair. This brochure was produced by the Native American Studies Department the map was created by TERO, it was The flag is trimmed in gold, at The University of Montana (www.umt.edu/nas) and the information discovered that the water ways on the symbolizing the horns and hooves of the Seven Sacred Rams. The was gathered from each of the Montana Tribal websites. map resembled the outline of a buffalo in flag background is blue. The belief it represents states that when the middle of the reservation boundaries. the sky and the waters are clear everything between them is good The seal includes this representation of the buffalo and the Fort and peaceful. Peck Reservation boundaries were added to the drawing displayed The emblem on the flag is encircled. This represents the Path of on a hide. All Things. liked best. This design, with the buffalo, health and good fortune for the tribe, so that they can prosper in Blackfeet Tribe eagle staff and Métis flag, was the top education. Tribal customs and traditions are integrated into each Montana Tribe: Blackfeet choice. of the schools on the Rocky Boy’s Reservation. Tribal Name: Amskapi - Pikuni The buffalo was central to the The eagle represents strength, wisdom, bravery, and honor, all survival and economy of the Pembina elements conceived from the bird that represents the thunder and Tribal Flags Reservation: Blackfeet Indian Reservation Chippewa (from whom the Little Shell lightning of the sacred sky. Website: http://www.blackfeetnation.com/ are descended) and the Métis people. The The buffalo, a source of food and shelter for the tribe for many and Seals Tribal College: Blackfeet Community College buffalo image faces West to symbolize the years, is also a sacred animal representing the source of life and a http://bfcc.edu/ migration of the Little Shell Chippewa Sundance element. Flag and Seal: The Blackfeet flag was and Métis from the Great Lakes region in Minnesota to what is Bear paw tracks represent the Bear Paw Mountains where the created in 1980. The Blackfeet Media now North Dakota and Montana. Chippewa Cree now make their present home. Also, the bear is a Confederated Salish Department sponsored a contest for the Years ago, tribal spiritual leader Henry Anderson was presented sacred animal of the tribe. and Kootenai Tribes design. A panel of judges consisting with a single eagle feather by a Chippewa man from Wisconsin. The tipi is where all values and customs are derived from as well of artists, elders, and community The eagle feather is very old and now hangs from the “crook” in the as the life and traditions the Chippewa Cree have always held. Tribes: Bitterroot Salish, Pend d’Oreille, members chose it. eagle staff that is behind the buffalo. The eagle staff represents the The sacred pipes were held by the last official chiefs of the and Kootenai The design is black and white on full-blood, traditional heritage of the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe. Chippewa and Cree, Chief Rocky Boy and Chief Little Bear. Tribal names: Séliš, QÍispé, Ktunaxa-Ksanka blue sky. A multitude of single eagle The eagle staff was made by Henry Anderson and presented to the The braid of sweet grass is an element of communication to the Reservation: Flathead Indian Reservation feathers creates a circle. Inside the tribe. It is carried by a tribal leader or veteran, leading the Grand Creator and the Spirits. Website: http://www.cskt.org/index.htm circle is the current land base of the Entry at the Little Shell Chippewa Pow-Wow each year. The nine eagle feathers represent the nine elected chiefs of the The red and white background colors of the “Assiniboia” flag Chippewa Cree Business Committee. Tribal College: Salish and Kootenai College Blackfeet Nation. To the left of the circle of feathers stands the traditional used by the Métis people represent the mixed blood heritage of the http://www.skc.edu/ flag of the Blackfeet people, the Eagle tribe. The yellow “fleur de lis” represents the French heritage of Gros Ventre and Flag: In 1978, with Confederated Feather staff. Colors and design represent the earth, the cosmos, the mixed blood Chippewa while the green shamrock represents Assiniboine Tribes Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council the elements, the plants and the animals, as well as the people. the Scots/Irish heritage. The yellow background on the Little Shell support, a contest invited tribal people The circle represents the cycle of life. The many feathers flag depicts the color of the sun. Tribes: Gros Ventre and Assiniboine to design a flag for the Confederated equating to the bands of the numerous Blackfeet are arranged Tribal Names: A ‘aninin and Nakoda Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT). in a circle, like life. The sun rises in the East and circles to the Reservation: Fort Belknap Indian Reservation The winning design was created by Karen Hale, a 25-year veteran Chippewa Cree Tribe West. The moon rises and sets in this circular motion, as does the Website: http://www.ftbelknap.org/ employee at CSKT. The selection committee felt Karen had woven Tribes: Chippewa and Cree cosmos. Blackfeet people pitch the lodges with the doors to the Tribal College: Aaniiih Nakoda College into the flag the strongest representation of the CSKT people. The East, knowing that they start life with the circle in mind. Tribal Names: Ojibwe and Ne-hi-yah-w http://www.fbcc.edu/ flag depicts the natural resources of the reservation, along with the The feathers represent the majesty and mysticism of the Reservation: Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation buffalo and tipi. Behind the tipi is the outline of Flathead Lake and eagle. Eagle feathers represent long life, energy, power, and Website: http://www.chippewacree.org Flag and Seal: Created by George the mountain represents the Mission range. The tipi, bow, arrow, “Sonny” Shields, the emblem of the accomplishment or coup. The way the eagle feathers are arranged Tribal College: Stone Child College shield, and eagle feathers are chosen because of their historical on the traditional staff represent the buffalo’s boss ribs. Buffalo are Fort Belknap Reservation’s seal is the http://www.stonechild.edu/ importance to the tribes. the staff of life to the Blackfeet. traditional shield, symbolizing the Seal: The official seal of the Flag and Seal: The Chippewa and shield’s protection of the two tribes, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Cree have come from two nations of Gros Ventre and Assiniboine. The shield Tribes shows one of the last chiefs, Little Shell the American continent. Each tribe has illustrates the protection for the two Chief Koostatah, standing on a rock Chippewa Tribe come together to form the present day tribes from the past, present and future, outcropping that overlooks roaring Tribe: Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation. and protection against the loss of tribal white water. The current seal was Tribal Names: Chippewa & Métis The picture of this seal represents culture, tribal identity and tribal land inspired by a talented young tribal the circle of life on the Rocky Boy’s base. The circular shape of the shield Tribal Office: Great Falls, Montana artist, Corky Clairmont, who had not Reservation. Baldy Butte is the sacred symbolizes life itself, or the constant yet reached high school at the time. Website: http://www.littleshellmt.com/ mountain of the tribe. cycle of life, each living thing dependent This was the early ‘60s. Corky is now passing his artistry to a new Flag and Seal: The seal and flag of the The sun represents life rising from on one another for life. generation at Salish Kootenai College. He said in an interview that Little Shell Chippewa Tribe was designed the east. Also, the sun’s rays represent The four directions and the four his original intention was to show the people connecting to the in 2006 by then Tribal Vice-Chairman the fifteen Sacred Grass Dance Chiefs seasons are symbolized in the use of the land and water. He chose one of the last chiefs to help capture that James Parker Shield. who are active in preserving the culture four colors: red for summer, yellow for fall, white for winter, and sacred connection. The original work was revamped in the early Shield came up with four different of the Chippewa Cree Tribe. The sun green for spring. 1980s, which made the raised hand more of a pointing gesture. versions for a new tribal flag and seal, which he had printed in the also represents the Sacred Grass Dance Drum of the tribe. The buffalo skull symbolizes the existence of two tribes on the More colors and textures were also added. tribe’s newsletter so tribal members could vote on which one they The Sacred Four Bodies text under the sun represents good reservation, who function as a whole. The colors divide it, yet the