1958-07-01 Char-Koosta News

              The Kootenai Hereditary Chiefs
CHAR-KOOSTA
PUBLISHED BY CONFEDERATED SAUSH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES, FLATHEAD AGENCY, MONT.
Vol. 3 — No. 9
July, 1958
Chief Eneas Paul Big Knife
Chief Koostatah Big Knife
Chief Isaac Big Knife
From the files at the agency and from the memory of Jerome Hewankorn, council member from Elmo, has come these pictures and information of the last three official chiefs of the Kootenai Tribe, who are part of the Confederated Tribes of the Flathead Reservation. Chief Eneas Paul Big Knife, successor of Chief Michelle, who was one of the signers of the Hell Gate Treaty of July 16, 1855. Chief Isaac Big Knife, son of Eneas Paul, and the last of the recognized chiefs of the Koo-tenais, Chief Koostatah Big Knife, whose name appears in the Constitution of the Reorganization Act of all the Flathead Reservation.
Chief Michelle was a routine official of the Kootenais. After the signing of the treaty Chief Michelle returned to Canada. Chief Eneas Paul Big Knife, who had been a great warrior, was recognized as their chief. He had been a sub-chief and the Kootenais recognized and selected their leaders by blood line.
Eneas Paul was chief of the Kootenais until approximately 1901. After the death of Eneas Paul, Isaac Big Knife was made chief and he died in 1902. Then the last chief known as Koostatah was appointed chief until the time of his death. Chief Koostatah, whose correct name was Koostatah Big Knife, was one of the signers of the tribes present constitution and by laws and the last chief of the Kootenai tribe.