Kalispells

The Kalispells are a Native American tribe traditionally inhabiting the region around Flathead Lake in present-day Montana. Their name, Kalispell, is believed to derive from a Salishan word meaning "people of the Upper Lake" or "people of the place where the fish abound." Historically, the Kalispells were semi-nomadic, their lifestyle dictated by the seasons and the availability of natural resources. They were skilled hunters and fishers, with salmon and other fish being a significant part of their diet. Their territory also included various berries and roots, which they gathered.

The Kalispells were closely related to other Salishan-speaking tribes in the area, including the Flathead and Pend d'Oreilles. They shared many cultural similarities, including a complex kinship system and spiritual beliefs centered on the natural world. Early contact with European Americans and later American expansion led to significant changes in their way of life, including displacement and the establishment of reservations.

Today, the Salish and Kootenai tribes, which include descendants of the Kalispells, are confederated and reside on the Flathead Indian Reservation in western Montana. The reservation was established following the Hellgate Treaty of 1855, though its boundaries and the tribes' lands have been subject to further changes over time. The Kalispell people, as part of this confederacy, continue to maintain their cultural heritage and identity. Efforts are ongoing to preserve their language, traditions, and historical connection to their ancestral lands.