History
The History of Fire and the Human Use of Fire in the Northern Rockies
History
The History of Fire and the Human Use of Fire in the Northern Rockies
History
The History of Fire in the Northern Rockies
At first glance, the Swan Massacre may not appear to have a direct relevance to the history of fire in western Montana, but in fact it is directly tied to that history. The long series of events that led to the Swan Massacre reveals much about how and why the shape of the region’s forests changed dramatically long before the Great Fires of 1910.
Camille Paul (Ɫkkam̓el), second from left, was one of four tribal members shot and killed in the 1908 Swan Massacre.
John Peter Paul (1909-2001) whose father was the first victim at the Swan Massacre. AT the time of the massacre, John was in the womb his mother, Clarice Paul, who shot the warden in self-defense. Photo courtesy Thompson Smith, 1998.
L to R, Stequeneh or Michael Thomas, Atwen Scwi, and Antoine Stasso, Pasoo. Atwen Scwi was shot and killed at the Swan Massacre. This photo was taken about 1905 at a celebration east of St. Ignatius.
Tribal elder Feline McDonald picking huckleberries at the Buckhorn area, Kootenai National Forest. Photo by Thompson Smith 1996.
Blackfoot River log drive. Photo circa 1908, by Morton J. Elrod, Elrod Collection, K. Ross Toole Archives, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, University of Montana, Missoula.
Mary Scwi, Joe Bigsam and Ellen Bigsam, c. 1922. Courtesy Doug Allard private collection.
Tribal pack string in the Mission Mountains, circa 1930. Courtesy Doug Allard Collection.
At first glance, the Swan Massacre may not appear to have a direct relevance to the history of fire in western Montana, but in fact it is directly tied to that history. The long series of events that led to the Swan Massacre reveals much about how and why the shape of the region’s forests changed dramatically long before the Great Fires of 1910.
Victor's Camp, Hell Gate Ronde, John Mix Stanley, 1853
Yale University Art Gallery | Credit: Yale University Art Gallery
Tipis at New Perce Pass
At first glance, the Swan Massacre may not appear to have a direct relevance to the history of fire in western Montana, but in fact it is directly tied to that history. The long series of events that led to the Swan Massacre reveals much about how and why the shape of the region’s forests changed dramatically long before the Great Fires of 1910.
Victor's Camp, Hell Gate Ronde, John Mix Stanley, 1853
Yale University Art Gallery | Credit: Yale University Art Gallery
Tipis at New Perce Pass