!41Rainbow2

The Nez Percé Indians’ traditional territory included much of Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and what is now Yellowstone Park. When the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts, the total population of Native Americans was estimated to be about 2 million. By the end of the 19th Century, the number had been reduced to 250,000. Today the population of all American Indians is back to the original 2 million. Also, it is estimated that some 60 million American Bison roamed the open plains of North America in the 1700’s. By the end of the 19th Century, we had managed to reduce their numbers to about 500. Today, the Bison population has slowly increased to about 35,000, however, they are restricted to zoos, ranches and refuges in State and National Parks in the United States and Canada.

The first picture shows Chief Joseph, the famous leader of the Nez Percé Indians. His tragic but memorable quote at the time of his surrender was: "From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever against the white man!" He was ultimately betrayed by the U.S. Government who, as usual, reneged on all commitments and promises. The second image is a painting of the proud Chief Joseph with his beloved countryside in the background. The third picture is a scenic view of Soda Butte Creek. The fourth picture shows wild flowers in bloom at Slough Creek. The fifth image shows wild flowers blooming at Pebble Creek. The sixth image is a double rainbow over the Lamar Valley near where both Slough and Soda Butte Creeks enter the Lamar River in the northern part of Yellowstone Park. The seventh shows more wild flowers near the Lamar. The eighth is of Slough Creek in the Fall. The ninth is a really healthy Cutthroat/Rainbow hybrid about to be released back into Slough Creek. The tenth is another rainbow framing the Tetons in the distance. The eleventh is a painting of "Custer's Last Stand". The twelfth is a painting done in 1898 by an eye witness, Kicking Bear. The next three photos show three different views of the Lamar River which flows into the Yellowstone River. The sixteenth is a family of otters sunning themselves on some Lamar River boulders. The seventeenth is Soda Butte. The eighteenth photo is another incredible Montana double rainbow. The nineteenth photo (by John and Carole Oldemeyer) shows a frightening image of an abominable drainage ditch immediately below the McLaren Tailings dam. It is filled with toxic mine waste and dumps its contents directly into Soda Butte Creek which ultimately drains into Yellowstone's Lamar River. The twentieth picture is of a small herd of Bison tending a calf. The twenty-first photo shows an obsidian knife or fletching tool which I found half buried in a gravel bank while fly-fishing Slough Creek in 1984 (wouldn't it be wonderful if somehow this piece of obsidian could tell us its life story?) The last image is an animation showing a native Cutthroat Trout rising for a grasshopper on Slough Creek.

End of the Rainbow

            Proud Nez Percé brave, hunt in Pursuit,
            Of Bison Herds, en Summer route;
            From Tetons grand to Soda Butte,
            This Land of Beauty absolute!

            Chief Joseph’s Honor resolute,
            His People’s Future in Dispute;
            An Indian Nation destitute,
            The White Man’s Treaties dissolute!

            Lamar, Slough Creek cross sacred Ground,
            O’er Meadows green, through Hills, Pine-crowned;
            To run, of Course, to Seas profound,
            Both Man and Beast, Extinction-bound!

Click Image To Return To Contents Page