They are Salish speaking tribe. They are customary
to flatten heads. They were friendly like the Shoshone.
When the Corps first met the Flatheads
the Corps were draped with white robes and they shared a peace pipe.
The Flatheads were so welcoming, the party camped near there for several
days. They believed that York was a white
man that had painted himself black with charcoal. Because painting
yourself with charcoal was a custom with battle they thought york was the
bravest man on the expedition. Three Eagles (the Flatheads chief)
presented Lewis and Clark
with otter furs and antelope skins. Though his people had only roots
and berries they shared the food anyway. The Flatheads owned 500
horses, so the explorers purchased and exchanged horses with them.
Now they had 40 horses and 3 colts.
The Flatheads were like the Shoshone,
they would met each other at 3 forks in the Missouri. The Flatheads
also traveled to buffalo country east of the Rockies for food.
Sacagawea
Alana J. White
1997
p.57, 58, 59