| 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
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
