The People's Tree stops in Fort Belknap

For the third time since it has become tradition, the Capitol Christmas Tree has been cut from Montana forests, and it stopped on its way to the nation's capitol at Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, where an enthusiastic community welcomed it with fanfare and tribal dance.

The tree, which is trekking from Libby to Washington, D.C., arrived before noon, about 45 minutes behind schedule, after passing through Big Sandy, Box Elder, Havre, Chinook and Harlem en route from Great Falls.

It was well-received as waiting onlookers watched the Semitractor-trailer carrying the tree pull into the parking lot of the visitor center. A group of Harlem Junior High Native American dancers greeted the entourage with a dance in front of the semi.

Tribal and Harlem leaders, legislative representatives, students from all area schools and many community members made a big deal about the 79-foot, 15,000-pound Engelmann spruce that will grace the lawn of the White House.

"It's a good expression of inclusion," newly elected tribal official Nate Mount said. "I'm glad this is happening on behalf of the tribe."

Tribal community president Andrew Werk Jr. told the crowd, before the tree arrived, that he cut a meeting short to be there, but like everyone else, he added, was excited the Capitol Tree was stopping in Fort Belknap.

Students Michael Anne Humphreys and Dante Jackson, alto saxophone players in the Harlem High School band, gave different reasons to be excited about the tree's arrival.

"I love Christmas and it's a really big Christmas tree, so I'm really excited," Humphreys said.

Jackson said missing classes was the best reason to celebrate the season.

The tree came from the Kootenai National Forest in northwestern Montana and will have traveled 3,200 miles through six states before it is staked on the lawn of the White House.

This is the second time a Capitol Tree has been cut from the Kootenai National Forest. A 60-ft Engelmann spruce was the People's Tree in 1989. The third Montana Capitol Tree, a 78-ft Subalpine, came from the Bitteroot National Forest in 2008, according to aoc.gov.

Kirsten Kaise, a ranger at the Kootenai National Forest, was presented with a star quilt by event host and KGVA 88.1 FM Radio Station Manager Gerald Stiffarm.

"When a star quilt is presented, it's presented from their to your heart as an official welcome, telling you that we're giving you the love of our home. You have blessed our home therefore we are acknowledging your gift. It's the essence of the key to the community - you're always welcomed back here, you're no longer a stranger. ... It's a thank-you for the love and happiness that's brought about by the occasion," Stiffarm said.

Outgoing Harlem Mayor Bill Taylor said be was beaming because, for him, not only is the event special, but so is the tree's home.

"I'm originally from Libby, Montana. We hunted and fished and played and worked in the logging industry there. They tell me this tree was cut right out the back door of a historical forest service ranger station, and I know where that is," Taylor said.

Larry Spiekermeier is the driver with the honor of ensuring the People's Tree safely arrives at its destination. Spiekermeier was all smiles from the moment he stepped out of the 18-wheeler until he hopped back in.

"It's awesome when you get turnouts like this. It's all for the people because it's the people's tree. When you get events like this, it all comes alive," Spiekermeier said.

The plan is to keep driving until he gets to Maryland, then go back home and get back to driving with Whitewood Transport.

"It's an honor to do this for the people of Montana," he said.

Simon Walker was taking pictures of his son's St. Paul Mission Grade School class. Many kids from the class were hoisted up so they could sign the truck. The semi was inundated with parents and children signing the side of the truck, in which the tree was safely encased. People had already begun signing the truck on previous stops, as made evident by the many signatures.

Rob Malyevak was the "tree lead" at Kootenai National Forest. He said they found out they were awarded the tree last year before the 2016 tree was transported to the White House, so the team responsible for cutting and transporting the tree the next year could follow and see how it's done.

There are standards that make for the ideal tree, Malyevak said.

"They want it as big as possible, but they can't have it too big because their boom truck can only put a star on a 68-foot tree, so that was kind of the limit for height," Malyevak said. "And then they wanted it to be really full - they don't want any bare spots or bad sides. Then they really want a nice cone-shaped from top to bottom.

"This particular tree, they really like the color of it, just the brighter green," he added.

The tradition of a Capitol Tree became official in 1964, when House Speaker John W. McCormack suggested to J. George Stewart, architect of the Capitol, that a Christmas tree be placed on capitol grounds, aoc.gov says. A live 24-foot Douglas fir was purchased for $700 from Buddies Nurseries of Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, and was planted on the West Front lawn. Each year through 1967 that tree was decorated and a tree-lighting ceremony was held. The tradition has continued and trees have gotten bigger since that first 24-foot fir.

Also Montana-made will be the new star topping the tree.

Missoula-based The Washington Companies were entrusted to create the eight-pointed star, which pays homage to Montana, including features such as a copper frame and the state flower, a bitterroot, at the center.

The star was built at a shop in Belgrade, Split Mountain Metals, which took three weeks and more than 1,000 man-hours to construct the 5-foot, 80-pound tree topper.