Appreciates votes, and donations to Fort Connah

Editor,

I am writing this letter to express my appreciation to those tribal members who voted for me in the primary election. More importantly, all of the tribal voters should be commended for taking the time and trouble to get out and vote in both the primary and general elections.

On behalf of the Fort Connah Historic Preservation Society, I am also writing to say thank you to the 2005 Tribal Council for the $500 donation for the preservation and reconstruction of the old Fort at Post Creek.

The funds will be used as a match dollar for dollar with a grant from the Lower Flathead Valley Community Foundation in the amount of $2000. The funds are in the Society's account in the Ronan State Community Bank with Mr. Rod Wamsley as treasurer of the Society.

Fort Connah, which was started in 1846 and completed in 1847 and was operational until 1871, is an important part of Reservation, County, State, and Northwest history. It is the oldest remaining wooden structure in the State of Montana.

Mr. Ian Marquand, the highly respected television newsman and historical commentator, so eloquently stated in a presentation at the Ninepipe Museum a year ago, as follows: "Preserving the past means protecting the present." Conversely, "It is also true that protecting the present allows us to better preserve the past," and better plan for the future.

All of the organizations referred to in this letter, the Tribal Council, the Ninepipe Museum and Development Association, The Lower Flathead Valley Community Foundation, the Ronan Community Bank, Ian Marquand, and all of the tribal voters who bothered to vote, deserve our most sincere appreciation and applause for the good work they (you) are doing now and into the future.

Wyman J. McDonald

Ronan