| 2007 RIVER
HONORING 
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes hosted the 21st
Annual River Honoring May 7th through the 9th. The River
Honoring is a collaborative outdoor educational event
sponsored by the Natural Resources Department, Tribal
Education Department, Kicking Horse Job Corps Center,
Salish-Pend d' Oreille Culture Committee, Salish Kootenai
College and other Tribal and community programs.
Thousands of students from all across the Reservation have
attended this outdoor environmental education event in the past
and more than 800 students attended this year. The River
Honoring site is located along the Lower Flathead River where
Crow Creek enters the Flathead River near Moiese. The primary
goal of the River Honoring is to increase public awareness and
community involvement in the maintenance and preservation of the
Lower Flathead River corridor. It combines resource specialists,
concerned members of the public, and area 4th and 5th grade
school children in educational programs and activities
demonstrating how everyday choices affect the river and its
ecosystem. A community event on the first day of the River
Honoring began with the naming of the 2007 River Honorees. Two
elders and two educators are generally recognized for their
contributions to maintaining the values and understanding of the
Lower Flathead River Corridor. This years Honorees were; Matt
Michel, Niarada, Clara Bourdon, St. Ignatius, Johnny Arlee,
Arlee and Barney Finley, Ronan. A catered barbeque followed.
The next two days were filled with resource specialists and
educators introducing topics such as water quality, forestry,
fire, wildlife, fisheries, and other resource management issues
to students. These short presentations educate the students and
public on the role the Tribes are taking to preserve the river
while also informing students and the public on what can be done
to reduce impacts to the ecosystem. The public can attend any
or all three days, and volunteers are welcome. |
