Sally Thompson’s ‘Black Robes Enter Coyote’s World,’ Part Two: Chief Charlo’s speech
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In the second half of her conversation with anthropologist Sally Thompson, Lauren Korn explores the life and legacy of Chief Charlo, leader of the Bitterroot Salish people, through the lens of Thompson's award-winning book, *Black Robes Enter Coyote's World*. The discussion centers on the complex intersection of Native sovereignty, missionary influence, and colonial expansion in 19th-century Montana. Key themes include the devastating impact of the Hellgate Treaty of 1855, the betrayal of promises made to the Salish, and the gradual erosion of their autonomy as settlers moved into the Bitterroot Valley. A pivotal moment in the episode is the analysis of Chief Charlo’s powerful 1876 speech, delivered in Stevensville, where he recounts the history of his people, denounces the greed and cruelty of white settlers, and asserts their deep spiritual and ancestral connection to the land. Thompson reflects on the emotional weight of hearing the speech recited in the Salish language at a book launch, underscoring its enduring resonance. The episode concludes with a call to recognize Native leadership and wisdom, particularly the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ ongoing stewardship of the land and their commitment to intergenerational responsibility.
The Hellgate Treaty of 1855 was conditional—Chief Charlo’s people retained rights to the Bitterroot Valley, but the U.S. government failed to honor its promises.
Chief Charlo’s 1876 speech was a profound act of resistance and identity affirmation, reminding his people of their history and spiritual connection to the land.
The media played a key role in dehumanizing Native peoples—shifting from personal recognition to degrading generalizations that paved the way for displacement.
Missionaries like Father DeSmet arrived during a time of crisis, but their presence ultimately undermined Salish autonomy and spiritual traditions.
The Salish people demonstrated remarkable resilience by refusing to be settled, continuing to move seasonally despite colonial pressures.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introducing Chief Charlo and the Bitterroot Salish
Lauren Korn welcomes listeners and sets the stage for the second half of her conversation with Sally Thompson, introducing Chief Charlo as a central figure in the story of the Bitterroot Salish people and their encounter with Jesuit missionaries.
The Arrival of the Jesuits and the Salish Response
Thompson discusses the context of the Bitterroot Salish’s vulnerability during the fur trade era and their initial openness to Jesuit missionaries, who were seen as sources of spiritual and material power during a time of crisis.
The Decline of Missionary Influence and the End of St. Mary's Mission
The episode traces the short-lived presence of Father DeSmet and the collapse of St. Mary's Mission after 1846, highlighting how the Salish’s loss of trust in the missionaries foreshadowed broader colonial betrayals.
The Hellgate Treaty and the Myth of Land 'Gifts'
“We didn't give them anything. Is that an argument you've heard over the last year or your life as an anthropologist? Is that something that people are readily still saying?”
The Rise of Dehumanizing Media Narratives
“You go from treating people like human beings that you know, you know their names and you recognize them to a group of people and you call them savage and you just layer it with pejorative dehumanizing language...”
“What makes white men so mean and greedy? And then he tells that it's because they've been cast out of their place of creation. So they have no covenant with the creator anymore.”
“You go from treating people like human beings that you know, you know their names and you recognize them to a group of people and you call them savage and you just layer it with pejorative dehumanizing language...”
“I remember really being aware of the pain on his face as he talked, especially when he was recounting that part about his people going like the old man.”
Host
Guest
Chief Charlo
person
Bitterroot Salish
other
Sally Thompson
person
Father Pierre-Jean de Smet
person
Hellgate Treaty
other
St. Mary's Mission
place
Stevensville
place
Missoulian
organization
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
other
Montana Public Radio
organization
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