Moncravie Painting

Opening Treaty negotiations with gifts and handshakes.

NPS Photo / Kristin Norgaard

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Scenic View/Photo Spot, Wheelchair Accessible

Jean Baptiste Moncravie, a skilled artist and clerk, created a magnificent mural above the south gate of Fort Union. The mural, which was completed sometime between 1833 and 1846, is a visual tribute to a historic treaty that was negotiated in 1831 by Kenneth McKenzie, the manager of Fort Union, between the Assiniboine and Blackfeet tribes. The treaty was a significant achievement for the American Fur Company, as it allowed for extensive trade and commerce in the beaver-rich territory of the Blackfeet. Prior to the treaty, the Blackfeet were hostile to American incursions, but the successful negotiation changed the course of history and opened up new opportunities for peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit.

The mural depicts a painting of eight people gathered for trade negotiations. In the center, an American Indian and a trader are shown shaking hands in a cordial manner. The left side of the image shows three American Indians watching the meeting, while the right side shows three white traders observing the proceedings. The mural's centerpiece is a powerful painting of a golden-brown eagle clutching a greenery branch and four arrows in its talons, symbolizing the strength and unity of the tribes involved in the treaty. The eagle image is shown hovering above the trade negotiations, underscoring the importance of the treaty and its significance in the history of the region.