Piegan in Glacier County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Chief Mountain and Old North Trail

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 12, 2022

1. Chief Mountain and Old North Trail Marker

Inscription. Chief Mountain, NINA-STA-QUAY, has alway been known to the Blackfeet people. Identified on maps as King Mountain as early as 1796, this outstanding landmark has long been revered for its supernatural powers. Generations of Blackfeet have used Chief Mountain for fasting and prayer. In 1992, the Blackfeet Tribe, by Tribal Resolution limited public access into the area.
The ancient Old North Trail, well worn by centuries of Indian travois, entered the United States from the north, a few miles west of present day Port of Piegon Customs. It ran along the east slope of the Rocky Mountains for Edmonton, Alberta, to at least as far as Helena, Montana. Perhaps one of the greatest migration routes of early man, the Trail more recently served the Northwest Plains Indians as the route for war parties and exchanging goods between Canada and the United States. The Museum of the Plains Indian in Browning relates the story of the Plains Indian culture including native travel patterns from earliest times to the present.

Erected by Montana Department of Transportation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Natural Features • Roads & Vehicles.

Location. 48° 27.912′

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N, 112° 46.839′ W. Marker is in Piegan, Montana, in Glacier County. It is on U.S. 89 at milepost 101 near Joe Show West Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Browning MT 59417, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Montana’s Blackfeet Nation,

in Western Montana,

and in Glacier Country.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Agency (approx. 4.2 miles away); Ration Day (approx. 4½ miles away); Ghost Ridge (approx. 4½ miles away); Old Agency Site (approx. 4½ miles away); Camp Disappointment (approx. 9.1 miles away); a different marker also named Camp Disappointment (approx. 9.3 miles away).

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 12, 2022

2. Chief Mountain and Old North Trail Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2023, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,040 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 12, 2023, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.