| Medicine Tree /reflections |
My grandparents migrated to the Darby area of the Bitterroot Valley in a
covered wagon pulled by two mules in 1883."Later my grandfather, John
Waddell, freighted produce to Anaconda by way of the East Fork of the
Bitterroot River, with a team and wagon."They told of the times he passed the
Medicine Tree when the Indians were hanging offerings on the tree and how
they would greet him with, 'Hello John.' "L.M. Powell, Hamilton, MT
covered wagon pulled by two mules in 1883."Later my grandfather, John
Waddell, freighted produce to Anaconda by way of the East Fork of the
Bitterroot River, with a team and wagon."They told of the times he passed the
Medicine Tree when the Indians were hanging offerings on the tree and how
they would greet him with, 'Hello John.' "L.M. Powell, Hamilton, MT
The Good Medicine Tree
Welcome to my meadow, rest here in my shade. Join your fellow
creatures who often visit this glade.The bear rubs against my trunk,the
squirrels feast on my seeds.The birds and bugs find shelter here, I provide
so many needs. I was here to greet your father,and for your children here
I hope to be.But our future here together dependson if you listen to me.
Don't chip my bark it is my skin,our bodies are similar you see.Leave my
pitch to heal my wounds,dead branches take carefully. Remember that my
body,though hardy it may seem,is sensitive to bruise and cut so please,
Treat me with respect and I will always be your friend here in the meadow.
-JimTree- Dayton Councilmember,
Southern Cherokee Nation
Welcome to my meadow, rest here in my shade. Join your fellow
creatures who often visit this glade.The bear rubs against my trunk,the
squirrels feast on my seeds.The birds and bugs find shelter here, I provide
so many needs. I was here to greet your father,and for your children here
I hope to be.But our future here together dependson if you listen to me.
Don't chip my bark it is my skin,our bodies are similar you see.Leave my
pitch to heal my wounds,dead branches take carefully. Remember that my
body,though hardy it may seem,is sensitive to bruise and cut so please,
Treat me with respect and I will always be your friend here in the meadow.
-JimTree- Dayton Councilmember,
Southern Cherokee Nation
The Medicine Tree
stood in the Bitterroot
Valley for more than
300 years.
Inspirational and
sacred to many, its
loss has been a
heartbreak to those
who grew up with it.
stood in the Bitterroot
Valley for more than
300 years.
Inspirational and
sacred to many, its
loss has been a
heartbreak to those
who grew up with it.
"I was very distressed to learn that the Medicine Tree had fallen. During World
War II, while my father was overseas, my mother, Ethlyn Fowler Ross, and I
lived in Hamilton where she taught high school. She had been raised in Darby and
always pointed out the Medicine Tree to me every time we passed by. It was part
of her childhood as well as mine. The Medicine Tree was part of growing up in
the Bitterroot.-Ann Ross- Polson,MT
War II, while my father was overseas, my mother, Ethlyn Fowler Ross, and I
lived in Hamilton where she taught high school. She had been raised in Darby and
always pointed out the Medicine Tree to me every time we passed by. It was part
of her childhood as well as mine. The Medicine Tree was part of growing up in
the Bitterroot.-Ann Ross- Polson,MT
"My parents owned White's Country Store and post office about three miles
from the Medicine Tree. I grew up there. Every year the tribes would come
from the Flathead and have a powwow on the flat just north of the tree. As a
little girl who loved to dance, I was taken there to the powwow and danced
with them every year."I watched them visit the Medicine Tree and put their
gifts on it. I'm 81 years old now, and still remember it all so well."I came to
know an Indian family quite well. Every year they sent me a pair of new
handmade moccasins, from the time I was 6 years old until high school."I
loved to see them when they came. I loved the dancing. I loved the
moccasins and I love the memories. It was such fun to dance with
them.-Winifred White Blodgett- Hamilton, MT
from the Medicine Tree. I grew up there. Every year the tribes would come
from the Flathead and have a powwow on the flat just north of the tree. As a
little girl who loved to dance, I was taken there to the powwow and danced
with them every year."I watched them visit the Medicine Tree and put their
gifts on it. I'm 81 years old now, and still remember it all so well."I came to
know an Indian family quite well. Every year they sent me a pair of new
handmade moccasins, from the time I was 6 years old until high school."I
loved to see them when they came. I loved the dancing. I loved the
moccasins and I love the memories. It was such fun to dance with
them.-Winifred White Blodgett- Hamilton, MT
