| Medicine Tree Music |
- Medicine Tree Creation Myth -
The Medicine Tree and its surrounding area figure prominently
in the traditional creation stories of the Salish, which tell of
when Coyote, a great medicine man, traveled across this land
killing monsters in order to prepare the world for human beings
who were yet to come.
Coyote was warned about an enormous, wicked bighorn sheep
near the south end of the Bitterroot Valley that killed everything
that passed its way. Coyote realized that he had to destroy the
creature.
In an encounter with the ram, Coyote asked the creature to
demonstrate its power. He pointed to a little tree and said he
wanted to see the ram knock it over. The ram couldn't resist
the easy chance to show his strength.
The ram thundered toward the tree and smashed it with his
great head. One horn penetrated all the way through the tree,
with the horn sticking out the other side. Coyote cut off the
ram's head with three swift strokes of his flint knife.
He then stood by the tree and said:
"In the generations of human beings to come, there will be no
such wicked creatures. This tree will be a place for human
beings to leave offerings of their prized possessions, and to give
thanks, and to pray for their well-being, for good fortune and
good health. Those who are not sincere and serious in making
their wishes will have misfortune and even death."
The Medicine Tree and its surrounding area figure prominently
in the traditional creation stories of the Salish, which tell of
when Coyote, a great medicine man, traveled across this land
killing monsters in order to prepare the world for human beings
who were yet to come.
Coyote was warned about an enormous, wicked bighorn sheep
near the south end of the Bitterroot Valley that killed everything
that passed its way. Coyote realized that he had to destroy the
creature.
In an encounter with the ram, Coyote asked the creature to
demonstrate its power. He pointed to a little tree and said he
wanted to see the ram knock it over. The ram couldn't resist
the easy chance to show his strength.
The ram thundered toward the tree and smashed it with his
great head. One horn penetrated all the way through the tree,
with the horn sticking out the other side. Coyote cut off the
ram's head with three swift strokes of his flint knife.
He then stood by the tree and said:
"In the generations of human beings to come, there will be no
such wicked creatures. This tree will be a place for human
beings to leave offerings of their prized possessions, and to give
thanks, and to pray for their well-being, for good fortune and
good health. Those who are not sincere and serious in making
their wishes will have misfortune and even death."
A powerful storm packing wind gusts of more than 70
mph swept through western Montana on Tuesday,
September 25,2001, loosening rooftops, snapping
branches and toppling trees in its path.
One particular tree lost to Mother Nature's bluster had
major historic significance to residents of the
Bitterroot Valley and members of the Confederated
Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
The Medicine Tree, a towering ponderosa pine that
graced the narrow canyon south of Conner,,Montana
for more than three centuries, broke off about 20 feet
above its base sometime after 8 p.m.
-Missoulian- 9/27/01
mph swept through western Montana on Tuesday,
September 25,2001, loosening rooftops, snapping
branches and toppling trees in its path.
One particular tree lost to Mother Nature's bluster had
major historic significance to residents of the
Bitterroot Valley and members of the Confederated
Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
The Medicine Tree, a towering ponderosa pine that
graced the narrow canyon south of Conner,,Montana
for more than three centuries, broke off about 20 feet
above its base sometime after 8 p.m.
-Missoulian- 9/27/01
