BITTERROOT SALISH CULTURAL SPECIALIST, NATIVE ARTIST, INSTRUCTOR, SPEAKER, PRESENTER
Buck Hitswithastick traces the root of his art to a story about an Indian agent who delivered a pile of watches, cutlery, and gardening tools to the Salish in Arlee. When he returned, he was angered to find his gifts disassembled. The Salish had used them—in the ways they saw fit.
“The backs of watches made great earrings,” Hitswithastick says. “Spoons were sharpened into arrowheads. Hoe handles were turned into spears decorated in fur and leather. The blades became hide scrapers. They used the modern materials within their own vision of the world.”
That adaptation has helped Hitswithastick's people—the Bitterroot Salish—survive. It’s also visible in his art; like the acrylic eagle he paints on a deer hide war shield. Hitswithastick embraces the new in order to preserve the old. “No matter how things change, my people are still alive,” he says. “We’re going to take what’s new and turn it into something we can use.”
As a kid, Hitswithastick pored over old pictures of Indians, using a magnifying glass to inspect their tools and dress. He listened to elders talk about the old ways. When they talked about fishing, he’d try to make a fish trap. Later, he used their stories to carve an elderberry flute, and fashion a hatchet. “Elders seemed to have a need to teach what they knew,” he says.
So Hitswithastick peppered them with questions: What’s the best wood for a bow? When do you collect it? How do you carve it? “I don’t think anyone thought I’d go out and cut one,” he says. “But when I would, they’d see it, and tell me more cool stuff.”
Hitswithastick incorporates modern materials into his art. Bobby pins and superglue secure the bustle feathers in his warrior dance outfit, for example. But he employs the old skills, too. He likes to work slowly. He drills holes using a bow-drill with a spindle of sharpened bone. He makes glue from pitch and charcoal, or rendered hide. But he’s also just as happy to use store-bought Elmer’s—another way he embraces the new while carrying his people’s history forward.
“That history is carried on in the art,” Hitswithastick says. “It’s there for people to see. Maybe kids born today will see the stuff I make and get inspired.”
His greatest fulfillment, though, comes when he shows an elder something he’s made and sees a spark of recognition in their eyes, like he’s resurrected something they thought was lost. “Boy that makes you feel good,” Hitswithastick says.
Buck is a descendant of the dog soldiers of the Bitterroot Salish people.
The dogs performed a critically important role in the life of the tribe, who for many centuries were a small minority group amongst more numerous and powerful nations in the Rocky Mountain West.
Dogs acted as delegates, liaisons, agents, scouts, couriers, protectors and also as clowns for the education of children. They committed to as many as seven years of service working in the areas between their homelands and those of others.
The dog’s role was to sniff — to monitor surroundings, to gather information about potential threats and opportunities, and to gauge whether a newcomer was friend or foe.
To do this work, dogs were among the most skilled, resourceful and intrepid men of the community. Self development through confidence in the understanding of nature was the core of every proficient dog. This broad approach to learning and talent allowed the tribe to put the full diversity of individuals’ ability into service.
Buck is honored to help groups and individuals to learn and incorporate the central lesson of the dogs that, “Every person has a specific value to the betterment of the whole.
"Joshua Rosenau"
FEATURED ARTICLES
SERVICES
“We seek to guard and protect the culture and language of our ancestors so that it will not end or be lost.” Selis Qlispe Culture Committee. With 30 plus years of cultural immersion, language and wilderness experience Buck Hitswithastick brings you Native Arts and Tradition. He offers wisdom, strength, and determination passed down by generations of ancestors overcoming adversity. Buck makes this knowledge relatable to modern day society by bringing leadership, warriorship and wellness to the public by drawing on examples of pre-European contact and early reservation history. His lineage of story tellers and orators has made it possible for him to adapt his presentations to fit the criteria of various entities. Choose from pre-European contact speech and primitives presentation sharing materials made without any metal or modern implements, Native American “up-cylcling, regalia and dance presentation, flute, or assembly lecture on warriorship and wellbeing centered around the Salish medicine wheel.
I’m happy to offer a diverse range of services to meet the growing needs of individuals and groups. Through my work on countless projects with different clients, I’ve developed a great skillset to support others. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with questions or special requests.
Speaks to topics related to clientele using Native American, Bitterroot Salish perspective and culture.
Pre- European contact primitives presentation speaking to self-sufficiency, self-esteem, and survival techniques, with full primitive dress.
Traditional Native American dance and regalia presentation, explaining meaning and significance, featuring modern and traditional music.
EDUCATOR
Reservation arts, "Indian Upcycling" and how early European contacted affected art on the reservation including examples of work.
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How much does it cost to book Buck Hitswithastick?
Speaking fees for Buck Hitswithastick are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The amount that Buck Hitswithastick charges to speak often varies according to the circumstances, including their schedule, market conditions, length of presentation, and the location of the event. The speaker fees listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only. In some cases, the actual quote may be above or below the stated range.
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Trained facilitators and experts lead students in workshops and conversations on topics like current affairs, untold histories, native cultures, literature, and more. Teachers can work with speakers to tailor programs to varying degrees to suit classroom needs.
MORE ABOUT THE ARTIST
Buck is a lifelong student of northwestern Native American peoples. His focus has
primarily been on the Bitterroot Salish of western Montana. He began his study
of histories and cultures in his late teens. With nothing but a jacket full of modest supplies and a machete for survival, he started camping alone with his fire under the Big Sky in the Lolo National Forest. From there he sought out mentors to further his education in traditional arts and tribal history to help satisfy his thirst for Native American traditional values and culture. Throughout the years that followed this primal introduction to Northwestern and Plains Indian studies, Buck attended Salish Kootenai College (SKC) and participated in numerous other conferences and trainings that pertained to the specific areas of study he was focusing on at the time. He has instructed students of all ages and background, even teaching the Bitterroot Salish language for thirteen years at an elementary school on the Flathead Reservation in Northwest Montana. Today Buck teaches the same class at SKC, “Reservation Arts” that he himself took from his mentor teacher many years ago. Buck also apprenticed with a renowned Salish elder and master weaver for years before finally being certified by the Montana Arts Council for basketry. Before that Buck was guided by numerous well respected tribal instructors and eventual co-teachers. Buck formed a deep relationship based on historical and spiritual studies with those elders and holds dear the many hours of formal and informal discussions had with them. Buck contributes countless hours as a volunteer to teaching traditional arts, culture, and history to people. Armed with that and his own family’s cultural history, Buck takes his knowledge on the road to share with audiences big and small. You can find him motivational speaking on wellness and history from a cultural perspective, presenting modern war dance, or his primitive collection, including dress, tools, and weaponry. Buck is honored to help groups and individuals to learn and incorporate central warriorship lessons, that every person has a specific value to the betterment of the whole.
TESTIMONIALS
So glad he is alive to do this! Making us all Proud!
Buck and his knowledge of these ancient traditions, and charm in sharing his knowledge, are an incredible combination. I have so much admiration for him in keeping his traditions and history alive.
We had the pleasure of Buck’s company at our Mental Health Center. Buck’s connection with our patients was remarkable, his calm smooth tone and presentation made it easy for our consumers to understand and relate. In addition, Buck introduced many people to Native Crafts in a way that I will not soon forget. Way to go Buck, hope to see you soon.
One of the most cultural and traditional peoples I know.
I hear what you say. GREATNESS. Buck is Real!!
The Phenomenal and kind, Buck Hitswithastick
Thank you for the words on sobriety.
I have to say Thank You for being beautiful my brother. I am looking for people to connect with to teach the ways we once lived. I am very interested in learning from you.
Hello Buck! Thank you so much for coming today! Your presentation was wonderful!
Our little Northern Cheyenne boys are so inspired after watching you at Travelers Rest. Lots of rocks in the yard being chipped and explored for their cleavage properties! Next the hunt for some good sticks…
Last night Buck shared his perspective with all of us and we loved it!
Buck as always great to see you and thank you for showing us your dance and sharing your story with us.
Thank you Buck for all you share and all you keep alive. I’m forever grateful to you.
Thank you for the dance and healing from South Africa.
Thanks, Buck. I appreciate anyone who cares about others. That includes animals. I live in a city and it's so easy to forget about kindness.
Just beautiful the feeling beautiful and blessings always.
I like the dance. It’s like a prayer.
Thank you for sharing. I’m passing this on. Truth is always welcome.
What Buck does in his talk is to break the stereotype that Indian cultural tradition is an antiquated vestige of the past. At the beginning of the talk, the small bundle of tools and crafts that he brings appears humble and quaint. But at some point along the way, his speech, his actions and the relationships that he reveals between the culture of the Bitterroot Salish and the plants, animals and various resources of the natural environment all converge. Not only do these relationships become present, vibrant and alive, but they also seem more relevant and more important than many modern tools and materials - which can be so generic.
Buck held the audience’s wrapt attention for several hours that evening, because he could demonstrate a truth that so many seek - the truth of interconnectedness. He shows that there really are ways of interacting with the natural world that are more in keeping with nature as a whole. These ways are not the result of any trendy alternative or romantic lifestyle. They are a part of a wisdom tradition that is thousands of years old and which is based on a highly practical and ongoing process of refinement by trial and error. It is truly a science of living connection.
Very cool. The sound is beautiful life!
