Stories From The Reservation [Introduction]

I decided to turn back the clock and tell a few tales from my younger days. I grew up on the Southern shore of Flathead Lake in Polson, Montana [Pictured]. Thank you for reading.

Introduction

We have all grown up someplace interesting. Nearly everyone has memories of thrilling childhood experiences, complete with tales of danger and daring escapades. Some might remember something fantastic, maybe an incredible adventure. Even fewer still may have witnessed an unexplainable magical event.

Living on an American Indian Reservation was an experience unlike anything else I’ve seen or known since my youth. I lived in a small town on a Reservation in Northwestern Montana until the age of 20. With a population of less than 3000, my hometown had fewer people than the average city high school. And yes, everyone knew everyone else’s business.

Throughout my childhood, my friends and I explored the countryside from sunrise to sunset all Summer long. Even though we lived in Grizzly country, it wasn’t uncommon for my friends and me to spend our free time in the mountains. On foot at first, and later with the help of one or more four-wheel drives trucks. Whether fishing, hunting, or searching for the end of the trail, sometimes we didn’t come home for days. My mother stopped trying to corral me by the time I was 14 years old. I’m sure she lost quite a bit of sleep worrying about my safety.

Joseph Shanklin

June 22, 2021