Welcome to the Flathead Reservation, Home to the Salish, Pend d'Oreille and Kootenai People

Published: 2020
By Brenda Richey

For more than 20 years the Flathead Reservation Extension Office (FREO), a part of Montana State University Extension, has served the people of the Confederated Salish, Pend d'Oreille and Kootenai tribes (CSKT). With over 1.317 million acres, reaching into four counties, program staff work to bring research-based information to reservation communities. The office is grant funded and offers a number of opportunities in positive youth development, health & nutrition, food safety and preservation, master gardening, soil sampling, and pest/disease identification and management. Youth education offerings include in-school/after school 4-H activities, a mentoring program and a youth/community health project focused on mental health. A strong SNAP-Ed program delivers healthy lifestyle lessons to more than 1,000 youth and adults each year. For local producers, FREO offers agriculture educational opportunities and connections to a variety of specialists. FREO recognizes the importance of promoting cultural awareness and diversity. Staff work to incorporate cultural activities that celebrate, honor and support CSKT traditions. Quality programming is successful due to collaboration between our local community members, partners and with tribal support.