Arlee, Montana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arlee, Montana
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Red water tower in Arlee
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Location of Arlee, Montana
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| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
| County | Lake |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.47 sq mi (16.75 km2) |
| • Land | 6.47 sq mi (16.75 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 3,091 ft (942 m) |
| Population
(2024)
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| • Total | 725 |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code |
59821
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| Area code(s) | 406 |
| FIPS code | 30-02425 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0801998 |
Arlee is a small community in Lake County, Montana, United States. It is located on the Flathead Reservation. In the Salish language, its name is nɫq̓alqʷ or nɫq̓a.
Arlee is named after a Salish chief named Alee. Interestingly, the chief's name does not have an "r" because the Salish alphabet does not use that letter. In 2020, about 720 people lived in Arlee.
Contents
Where is Arlee?
Arlee is in the southern part of Lake County, within a beautiful area called the Jocko Valley. Two main roads, U.S. Route 93 and Montana Highway 200, go through the community. These roads connect Arlee to nearby towns.
For example, Ravalli is about 10 miles northwest. Interstate 90 at Wye is about 17 miles south. Polson, which is the main town of Lake County, is about 43 miles north.
Arlee's Natural Surroundings
Arlee covers an area of about 6.47 square miles (16.75 square kilometers). Most of this area is land. The Jocko River flows through the northeast side of Arlee.
This river eventually joins the Flathead River. The water from the Jocko River then flows into the Clark Fork and finally into the Columbia River.
People of Arlee
Arlee is home to a diverse group of people. In 2000, there were 602 people living here. By 2020, the population had grown slightly to 720 people.
Many people in Arlee are Native American. The community has a mix of families and individuals of all ages.
Arlee's Past
Arlee was named after the Salish leader, Chief Arlee. In 1873, Chief Arlee and his people were asked to move from their traditional home in the Bitterroot Valley. This move was part of an agreement called the 1855 Hellgate Treaty.
They moved to the Jocko Agency, which was a few miles south of where the town of Arlee is today. The town and its post office were officially started in 1885.
Culture and Traditions
Arlee is a place rich in culture, especially Native American traditions.
Annual Powwow Celebration
Every summer, Arlee hosts a big pow wow celebration called the Arlee Esyapqeyni. This event brings together many different tribes. People wear traditional regalia, and there is lots of dancing, singing, and drumming.
Salish Language and Art
The Salish language is an important part of the community. It is taught at the Nkwusm Salish Immersion School, helping younger generations learn their ancestral language.
Art is also popular in Arlee. There used to be a gallery called the Hangin Art Gallery and Gallery Cafe that showed local artwork. In the 1970s, a respected elder named Agnes Vanderburg held workshops to share Salish culture with young people.
Rodeo Events
Rodeo is another big part of the local culture. Both Native and non-Native contestants compete in these exciting events. The annual Arlee Rodeo and Pow Wow happens every year during the 4th of July weekend.
Learning in Arlee
The Arlee Joint School District provides education for students from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. Arlee High School is known for its sports teams, called the Warriors and Scarlets.
A book called Brothers on Three was published in 2021. It became a bestseller and tells a true story about students and their families from Arlee.
Local News and Radio
Arlee has its own local news sources. The Valley Journal newspaper covers news for Arlee and several other nearby communities.
There is also a Christian FM radio station, KJFT-FM, which is licensed in Arlee.
See also
In Spanish: Arlee (Montana) para niños
