Faculty Mentor
Richard Orndorff
Document Type
Poster
Department
Geosciences
Abstract
The Seli’š Ksanka Qlispe’ Dam (SKC Dam), formerly known as the Kerr Dam is the first Native American tribally owned dam in the United States. Located on the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes(CSKT) of the Flathead Reservation, on the Flathead River in Montana, the dam was once considered the blight of the Whiteman’s landgrab and genocide of culture and language. Now it is a source of hope to the tribe to help its members and improve its future. Completed in 1938, it is one of two dams on the Flathead River, just south of the Flathead Lake. By following the Tribe’s history starting 1855 with the Hellgate Treaty, one can begin to understand how much water has had an impact on the Tribe’s past, present and future.
Recommended Citation
Hansen, Allisen A., "A Confluence of Cultural and Water History with the Seli’š Ksanka Qlispe’ Dam Formerly named the Kerr Dam" (2023). 2023 Symposium. 10.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2023/works_2023/works_2023/10
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A Confluence of Cultural and Water History with the Seli’š Ksanka Qlispe’ Dam Formerly named the Kerr Dam
The Seli’š Ksanka Qlispe’ Dam (SKC Dam), formerly known as the Kerr Dam is the first Native American tribally owned dam in the United States. Located on the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes(CSKT) of the Flathead Reservation, on the Flathead River in Montana, the dam was once considered the blight of the Whiteman’s landgrab and genocide of culture and language. Now it is a source of hope to the tribe to help its members and improve its future. Completed in 1938, it is one of two dams on the Flathead River, just south of the Flathead Lake. By following the Tribe’s history starting 1855 with the Hellgate Treaty, one can begin to understand how much water has had an impact on the Tribe’s past, present and future.
