Tribes preparing three-day Bison Range celebration

The appearance of new calves on the Bison Range at Moiese this spring comes with a heightened sense of joy for many as the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes begin their first full season of managing the historical site since the passage of the Montana Water Rights Protection Act in 2020.

The legislation created a two-year period for transitioning management of the Bison Range from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to the CSKT, and the Tribes officially took over management in January.

In celebration of the transfer and recent improvements at the visitor center, Tribal leaders are planning three days of events at the Bison Range and Salish Kootenai College the weekend of May 20-22.

Activities include a powwow and Native games beginning at noon at the Bison Range on Friday, May 20. An opening ceremony that includes an opening prayer, honor song and honor guard kicks off festivities at 10 a.m. Friday.

Events shift to the college on Saturday with a screening of the film “In the Spirit of Atatice” at the Johnny Arlee and Vic Charlo Theatre at 2 p.m., a community meal at 2:30 p.m., and a community celebration beginning at 4 p.m. in the Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center.

Sunday is Community Appreciation Day at the Bison Range, with half-price day passes available.

The Tribes also are celebrating a recent remodel of the museum at the visitor center, and the weekend of activities presents an ideal time to check out the improvements.

Visit www.bisonrange.org for additional information regarding hours of operation and visitor information. Check the CSKT Bison Range page on Facebook for updates.

Amy Coffman of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently was named among recipients of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s annual Environmental Achievement Awards.

Coffman received the annual Environmental Justice Award.

“The transition of the Bison Range from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes is an historic event,” the department announced last week in a press release. “The leadership and coordination of Amy Coffman, refuge manager of the Bison Range, have been vital to the transfer. … Ms. Coffman’s stellar leadership, passion and skills have been instrumental in leading the FWS Bison Range staff through (the management transfer), while continuing to build and maintain vital tribal relationships and ensuring a positive outcome for the wildlife and habitat at the Bison Range.”

Although the CSKT assumed full management on Jan. 2, the USFWS and CSKT continue to partner together to ensure the land and resources are managed at a high level, including prioritizing much needed improvements to address deferred maintenance to enhance safety to the public and wildlife.