My mother is 3/4 Kootenai blood, she was raised on the Tobacco Plains Reserve located near Grasmere, British Columbia. The picture you have posted here is taken on the Tobaccco Plains reserve in southern B.C. The man standing by himself on the left by the teepee is my Great Uncle, Chief Paul David, the last hereditary Chief of the Kootenay. His father was Chief David. I am descended through his daughter Rowena, who married the first indian agent to serve among the Kootenays. He was Michael Phillipps who was a clerk with the Hudson Bay Fur Trading Co. He went to Canada in the eartly 1860's from England. I have a copy of this picture originally owned by the Fort Steele Heritage Town and Archives. I have seen alot of these old pictures of my ancestors throughout the internet and am saddened by the loss of the names that go with them and I feel I should honor my ancestors by naming them. Chief Paul David died childless, and from that time on, the Kootenay elect thier chiefs. The number of full blood are slowly dwindling as the younger generations have moved away from the reserve in search of a better life. Like my mother did, (I was born and raised in So California.) Thank you for posting this picture and sharing this information with the world. Sincerely C.M.

Hi Cheryl, My name is Brian Sinclair (Ontario) My great grandmother was also Rowena Phillipps. I just returned from a 1 month vacation visiting cousins in Sask, and BC. My cousin Shirley Green in Cranbrook BC filled me in on lots of familly history, and Photos. Also visited cousin Betty in Rooseville (tobacco plains) who married roy Sinclair, son of Colin, who still lives on the Sinclair ranch, which was probably originally owned by Michael Phillips. Brian

Well, Hello Brian, this is a great surprise. I have a bunch of questions for you, would you please write me at suyupie@yahoo.com. I also have traced Michael's ancestors quite a way back if you are interested. I am not sure who this Shirley Green is, but would be interested in contacting her too to see what family history she has. By the way my mom was a descendant of Michael and Rowena's son Reginald (Semo) who was married to Lucy (Kintla). We got to visit Roy and Betty in 2005, just before Roy died. So it sounds like you had a great trip. Am really anxious to hear from you as I have had these questions for years. Till I hear from you, Cheryl