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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But let’s begin by defining a Western Woman. 
