From the Archives - May 16, 2024
Moses Joseph, who was born near Mission Hill in the Kootenai Valley on April 12, 1903, was elected chief on May 5, 1974.
Photo courtesy BOUNDARY COUNTY MUSEUM
In This Week in History ~ 50 Years Ago: “New Chief of the Kootenai Indians, Bonners Ferry Band, is Moses Joseph. Moses Joseph was born near Mission Hill in the Kootenai Valley on April 12, 1903. He has lived his entire life here.”
Moses Osay Chiquiet Joseph, son of Osay Joseph Chiquiet and Anastasia Abraham, was elected chief on May 5, 1974. He “came from a long line of chiefs of the Kootenai Tribe, including Three Suns, who served just prior to the arrival of Jesuit Priest Peter de Smet. Moses’ grandfather was Chief Morrisse (pronounced “Molese” by his tribesmen) Chiquiet – half-brother to Isadore Chiquiet. Isadore Chiquiet became chief upon the death of “Molese” in the winter of 1900. Narcisse Isadore Chiquiet became chief at the time of the death of his father on August 2, 1916. Moses Joseph, well versed in tribal history, received a limited education (grades one and two) in 1915 from teacher Arthur Fisher at St. Michael’s School at the Kootenai Mission (Ah-Kahn-Kah-Min).” ~BF Herald, May 16, 1974
Moses Joseph married three times - first, Mary Stone who died during childbirth in 1925; second, Ann Mary Adrian Jacob mother of eight children; and third, Mary Louise Alexander. Moses’ died December 13, 1975, and is buried on Mission Hill.
The Boundary County Historical Society and Museum, 7229 Main St., Bonners Ferry, Idaho, sponsors this column.
Visit the museum Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or visit the museum's website at boundarycountymuseum.org or its Facebook page for historical photos and stories, and to see upcoming events. The museum can be reached at doyouremember@meadowcrk.com or by telephone at 208-267-7720. Museum officials thank community residents for their continued support.