ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the change in Flathead music and dance in relation to the general background out of which such changes appeared rather than in specific detail as these changes affected particular items of music and dance through time. In historic times one of the major influences upon the Flathead were the Iroquois Indians. The Iroquois position is certainly strong, and its importance is enhanced by the role played by individual Iroquois in the famous Flathead deputations to St. Louis in search of a Christian missionary. The efforts of the Jesuit missionaries to teach hymns and other Christian music practices to the Flathead resulted in the development of a body of music materials which are sometimes called “Bitterroot Valley” songs. Some mention must be made of the potential Chinese influence on Flathead music in the early period of Flathead acculturation.
