One of the most wonderful celebrations I’ve been to is the River Honoring near Pablo, Montana, home of the Flathead Reservation. And this is where my new release, Renewed Hope, is partially set.
This reservation includes the Bitterroot Salish, Kootenai, and Pend d’Oreilles tribes – known as the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation. This reservation birthed from the July 16, 1855, Treaty of Hellgate.
I first traveled to this area with my husband when he worked for Bonneville Power Administration as a liaison between BPA and tribes in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Part of his job was attending the River Honoring celebration on the Flathead Reservation to educate youth about power transmission.
The River Honoring is an event that celebrates culture and conservation with elementary-aged children.
Twenty-two tipi stations or loops separate the trail entering the area where the event is held. Plus, a huge tent that holds bagged lunches and supplies.
Tipi stations include fishing weir making, elder stories, drumming, hydropower, Mission Valley Backcountry Horsemen, Fish and Wildlife, Forestry, water quality, fisheries, snowpack, the environment, and so much more.
About 400 4th and 5th graders learned how to maintain and respect the land and wildlife and enjoy their indigenous culture.
They also set up two traditional double ball courts and children ran, laughed, and high-fived each other.
After participating in the River Honoring for two years, I knew it had to slip into one of my stories.
As the events took place, the Flathead River surged through rolling hills, pine and juniper trees, and fields of wildflowers.
The beauty, sounds, and laughter will forever be stamped in my memory.
Giveaway!
Carmen is giving away a signed copy of Renewed Hope and a few photo cards of the Montana setting in which the story takes place. For a chance to win, leave a comment telling her what state you’d like to visit and why.
About Renewed Hope
Can they find her son in time?
Sophie Cayes is on the road to success as an artist. Until her ex-husband threatens to sue for full custody of their son. Upon learning of a guest ranch in Eastern Washington that keeps a room open for women in need, she grabs her son and bolts.
Although Chad Davis loves starting colts on the Seven Tine Guest Ranch, his goal is to have his own spread. Everything’s on course until a woman and her preschool son show up. He’s not thrilled about helping out. Until the boy comes up missing. On his watch.
Along with a tribal cop, they head back to Montana in search of the boy, knowing his dad was the one who kidnapped him. Sophie prays they find him before her ex-husband and his new wife go on the run. Taking her son with them.
About Carmen
Carmen Peone is an award-winning author of Young Adult and Inspirational Western Romantic Suspense and lives with her husband in Northeast Washington and on the Colville Confederated Indian Reservation. With the love of history and the Western woman’s lifestyle, she weaves threads of healing, hope, and horses that lead to happily ever after.
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I’d like to visit Alaska to see the northern lights!
Ami, me too!! I’ve been to Fairbanks but at the wrong time of year.
I already visited all the states I wanted to see.
What was your favorite one?
Northern Arizona and Northern Minnesota.
I want to visit Montana and Colorado
Those are both beautiful states!
South Dakota twice. Loved the old western history. Plan on going back one more time.
Have you been to Deadwood?
I would like to visit Montana, Wyoming, and Arizona.
I have been to many but still like to see Hawaii and Alaska!
I hope you get to see those states, they are worth the trip. I’d still like to see the lower part of Alaska.
Hawaii for beaches
Which island would you like to visit?
I would love to visit Hawaii and I would also like to visit Montana
Both are worth the visit. Which island would you want to see i Hawaii?
Sorry, “in” Hawaii.
Washington and Oregon to see the coast and Pavific Ocean.
Yes!! I’m in Eastern Washington but have kids on the coast. Both coasts are worth seeing!
I want to visit Alaska, have since I was a child. I’d also love to go to Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, the Dakotas.
I hope some day you get to see them all!!
I have visited a lot of the states except the Dakotas. So I would like to discover what is there in North or South Dakota
South Dakota is gorgeous. I’m with you, I want to see North Dakota.
The history and beauty of South and North Dakota.
Tons of history! I hope you make it!
I have visited all 50 states, except 4 of them. Oregon, Michigan, Alaska and North Dakota are those four . As far as going back to a state or states, I would love to revisit Hawaii, Tennessee and Vermont. They are all beautiful in their own way. We have been to Montana twice. We lived in Tennessee for nearly 15 years and I am sorry to have left it.
Sounds like you enjoy traveling. Fantastic! I hope you make it to those 4. I’d love to see those northeast stated like Vermont. Some day.
Visiting the majestic scenery in Montana would be an experience.
It is! I hope you make it!! It well worth the trip.
Thank you for sharing about River Honoring.
I would love to visit Montana. I learned so many wonderful things about it through books and I have a friend who relocated there.
You are so welcome, Denise! I hope you make it to Montana too! It’s one of my favorites.
I would like to visit my relatives in Montana and Texas.
I hope you get that chance!
I would love to visit Montana and Arizona
Excellent choices!!
Good morning, 2 states that I would love to visit are Montana and Wyoming, and it is probably because of the western movies that I have watched that are set in those 2 states , and I have also seen pictures of them and I love the terrains. Your book sounds like a great read. I would also love to visit a state where the Red Cardinal birds are abundant one day. Have a great day and a great weekend.
Good morning to you, Alicia!! Those two states are worth seeing. I hope you will have to chance to see them and the red cardinals!!
So glad you all stopped by to learn about the River Honoring and to help me celebrate the almost release of Renewed Hope!! On 2.6.24, the Kindle edition will be .99 cents!!
I have visited every state in the West and Midwest so would like to visit Florida. To see their wonderful beaches and Key West.
Yes! That would be fun. And maybe ride in an airboat!? Thanks for taking the time to share with me today!
I would love to visit Alaska to see all the wildlife and beautiful scenery and hopefully the northern lights too!
That would be a fabulous trip! Thanks for takign the time to connect today!
I want to visit Alaska someday, preferably while on a cruise. I heard it is beautiful there.
Ohh, an Alazkan cruise, yes!! Thanks for sharing and taking the time to connect!
I would Love to visit Montana have always wanted to go there maybe someday Have a Blessed Day
Thank you for the blessling and sharing! I hope you are able to visit Montana some day, soon. 🙂
If I was able to travel, my hubby abs I have always wanted to travel to Wyoming, Montana, North and South Dakota, Colorado, Utah and as many other areas we could as we travel back to the East coast. However, now I can only travel through the books I read. Thank you for this opportunity.
Books are definately a way to see places we can’t get too! Thank you for taking the time to connect.
Years ago before I became disabled that I could no longer travel, I would have loved to see Alaska. It would be wonderful to see all the land that has not been disturbed or urbanized as so much of the rest of America has become. The wildness of the wilderness that is untouched. I would think it would be a sight to behold. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Thank for for sharing what state you’d like to visit. I’m sorry your disabled. Thank goodness for Youtube and books to visit Alaska either virtually or via photographs. God bless you as well!
I would like to visit Hawaii. I was there once years ago on Oahu and would like to go again.
I hope you get to go again too!! It’s a beautiful place. Blessings!
We have been lucky enough to visit all but 2 states, although we could spend more time exploring all of them.
The West needs more exploring. There are several National and State Parks we haven’t yet visited. I would like to go back to Montana. We have been to and through it several times, but there is still more to see. It is a beautiful area with lots to offer.
National Parks. l bought I National Parks game and would love to visit many of them on the board. Great plan!! Thanks for taking the time to connect, Patricia!
Hi Carmen, I would love to visit California, Arizona & Nevada. I would enjoy the mountain scenery, Pacific Ocean & different ways people live. We have a beautiful country, there are so many places to visit & appreciate. Your book sounds like a very interesting read.