Winter storytelling series continues January 11 at Travelers’ Rest State Park

LOLO — Travelers’ Rest State Park near Lolo will continue its Winter Storytelling Series this Saturday, Jan. 11 at 11 a.m. with a presentation by Séliš Elder Shirley Trahan, senior translator and language advisor for the Séliš-QỈispé Culture Committee.

Shirley Trahan is one of the few first-language Séliš speakers left on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Shirley has worked diligently with the culture committee to preserve and revitalize the language and culture for future generations.

For nearly two decades, this storytelling series has been a seasonal celebration of the Séliš tradition of sharing stories during the cold winter months. Each Saturday through March 8, Travelers’ Rest State Park will host stories from elders, authors, historians, and naturalists. Join in the programs at the visitor center or online following a Zoom link.

Admission to the storytelling programs is $5 per person and free for those under 18 and members of Travelers’ Rest Connection. Find out more about this program and the complete series, including how to join in via Zoom: travelersrest.org/events/winter-storytelling/.

The one-hour programs run every Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.:

• Jan. 11: History and language with Séliš Elder Shirley Trahan
• Jan. 18: Séliš-QỈispé Culture Committee
• Jan. 25: Adventure, conservation, and coexistence in Africa with Mandela van Eeden
• Feb. 1: Discovering the joys and techniques of bird watching with Sneed Collard
• Feb. 8: York’s role and unique journey in the Lewis & Clark Expedition with Hasan Davis
• Feb. 15: Montana culture and history with anthropologist Sally Thompson
• Feb. 22: A visit with one of the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival’s filmmakers
• March 1: Time travels with Queen Elizabeth through reenactment by Leslie Van Stavern
• March 8:  Smokejumper history told by Fred Cooper, author and former smokejumper

Complimentary coffee, tea, hot chocolate and home-baked treats will be available at all programs. The visitor center will be open after the programs, from noon until 4:00 p.m. 

Travelers’ Rest is a significant site for Native Americans and a Lewis and Clark Expedition archaeologically verified campsite.  The park hosts many public programs, such as the Winter Storytelling Series.For more information, contact Travelers’ Rest State Park (6717 Hwy 12, Lolo) at 406-273–4253 or visit travelersrest.org under the events page. 

The Winter Storytelling Series is sponsored by Travelers' Rest Connection, Humanities Montana, Montana Public Radio (MTPR), Missoula’s Community Media Resource (MCAT), and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

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