1977-07-15 Char-Koosta News

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Volume 7   Number 6
New Moon of The Huckleberry
July 15, 1977
1977 Pow-Wow A Success!
The clouds, cold winds, and rain which attended part of this year's Pow-Wow did not keep an estimated 1,400 to 2,000 people per day from enjoying this 79th annual event. It featured dancing, contests for queen, drumming, singing, and stick games; plus a feast; a rodeo; and a parade. The parade and rodeo were put on by groups which were separate from the Pow-Wow Committee. There were 700 campers at the Pow-Wow.
Doug Allard, Pow-Wow Committee Chairman, said he received a lot of favorable comments on the event. He pointed out that because their weren't many drunks wandering around, there were more old people and kids at this year's Pow-Wow.
Allard said the drumming was the best they had ever had. He said the Porcupine Singers, from South Dakota are some of the best in the nation. He added that many people have commented how they like the revival of old dances, such as the Scalp Dance. He hoped the kids would learn these things so they will always be part of Pow-Wows to come.
Mary K. (Pooyah) Lefthand, of Arlee is the new Miss Flathead. Rhonda Matt, of Mission, and Patti Matt of Arlee are runners up. Mary Ann (Wal-ly) Allard, of Mission is our new Jr. Miss. Juanita Sanchez, of Arlee and Eileen (Leenie) Morigeau, of Dixon are runners up. Watch the next Char-Koosta for a special article on them. The Parade Committee would like to thank all of the business men who contributed to make it a success.   All
money collected was given out except for a small amount to advertise and start the event next year, a Committee said. They are open to suggestions for next year. George Ducharme was the Grand Marshall of the parade.
The Montana Rodeo Association approved rodeo ran July 3rd and 4th. The event featured contests in Saddle Bronc, Bareback, Bull Riding, Calf Roping Steer Wrestling, and Ladies Barrel Racing.
This year's Pow-Wow honored "Blind Mose" who did so much to help revive many of the old dances with his songs.
Tribes Protect Shoreline
DIXON - The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are dismayed by the approach taken by the Flathead Lakers on riparian, or shoreline rights on Flathead Lake, say that the Tribes have always responded when called u-pon by the Lakers to protect the quality of water in the Lake.
Tribal Council Chairman Harold W. Mitchell Jr. said today that three occasions that immediately come to mind where the Tribes stepped in to protect the Lake are I.) the proposed dredging of the outlet of Flathead Lake by the Corps of Engineers, 2.) the proposed pulp mill at Columbia Falls and 3.) the proposed Cabin Creek Coal Development. "It appears to me that if we could have open communications with the Lakers we could jointly work to protect the quality of the Lake," Mitchell said.
But he said news released and special interest groups that do not present the full story on the issues continue to frustrate cordial relationships in the valley and around the Lake. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to review a Federal District Court decision that Namen had riparian rights which let the lower courts' decision stand. The District Court left open the question as to the extent of those rights, Mitchell continued.
The recent news release which claim the state's LakeShore Protection Act is illegal appears correct. The District Court in its opinion stated, "Title to the bed and banks of the south half of Flathead Lake below the high water mark is held in trust by the United States for the Tribes. Thus, the basis for state determination of riparian rights is non-existent. State law, therefore, is not applicable."
The Tribes have made efforts to contact the Flathead Lakers to constructively settle the issues and protect the enviroment, Mitchell stated. He said he had received no response from the Lakers.
According to Mitchell, that, in the absence of jurisdiction of the state to protect the Lake, the Tribes are merely interested in the proper control of the Lake to be sure it is kept in its pristine condition. Nothing more. The Court left open the question of what exercise of riparian rights is appropriate and what constitutes an abuse of those rights."
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