River honored all week
Cadence John, left, hikes up a hill after making her way to the river's edge with cousin Precious David at the River Honoring Ceremony on Monday.
MOIESE — The week-long events of the River Honoring began Monday. Throughout the week area schools visited the Woodcock campsite in Moiese where they learned about resource management and environmental protection.
The honoring began in the fall of 1986 as a way to reflect on the importance of the lower Flathead River to the tribes and their efforts at maintaining it. The event was supported by the Salish Kootenai College and coordinated by several individuals including Clarence Woodcock and Joe McDonald.
The lower Flathead has played a central theme in the tribes history and way of life, according to a brochure at Monday’s event. It was a form of linkage to the surrounding Pend d’Oreille tribes and Kalispell people.
After the Kerr Dam was built in the 1930s several attempts to secure future dams along the river were met with resistance from tribal members and citizens in the community. Efforts at preserving the historic and cultural value of the river were successful and continue today, with the help of a plan passed by the Tribal Council in 1993.
The plan set forth by the council outlines ways to preserve the lower Flathead River for future generations, as this week’s events further enforce these ideals.