“Encountering the Bitterroot Salish” Event Planned:

The Salish-Pend’D Oreille Culture Council has joined with the Western Montana Regional Bicentennial Commission and the Montana Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commission to plan this two-day event in the Ross’s Hole area near Sula, MT. The event to be held on Sept. 9-10, 2005, will commemorate the meeting of the Salish Indians and the L&C Expedition in this, the traditional homeland of the Montana Salish Tribe. A Pow Wow, buffalo feed and re-enactment of the Expedition’s arrival in the Salish camp will highlight weekend activities.

MT Natl. Guard Receives Funding for Bicent. Support:

The Montana National Guard recently received Congressional funding to assist with certain Lewis & Clark Bicentennial activities in 2005. In accordance with Congressional language, the funds can be used “to provide ceremonial, educational, safety, security and logistic support.” A full-time Lewis & Clark Coordinator will soon be named by the Montana National Guard to function as an agency and local community liaison who will travel throughout the State to visit with community and regional planning committees.

Upcoming Meetings

Education Committee Mtg.:
- Nov. 22, 1-3 p.m. at the Montana Hist. Society, 3rd Floor Classroom

MT L&C Bicentennial Commission:
- Febr. 8, 2005, Montana Historical Society, Helena

Legislative Reception:
- Febr. 7, 2005, Montana Historical Society Lobby

A Unique Christmas Gift:

Act now to purchase your limited edition bronze commemorative medallion for $80, and give (or receive) a great Christmas gift! These beautiful medallions designed by acclaimed bronze artist Eugene Daub feature life-like images of Lewis & Clark on one side, and a bison on the reverse. A limited edition of 75 miniature bronzes of the full relief sculpture to be hung in the Montana State Capitol Senate Chamber will be available very soon as well.

Contact the Montana Historical Society at 406-444-2694 to place your order.

Commission News:

• Commissioners Re-Appointed: In September, 2005, Governor Judy Martz re-appointed Wyman McDonald, Jeanette “Tootie” Rasmussen, and Hal Stearns to new three-year terms on the Montana Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commission. The re-appointment of these three very qualified individuals will ensure leadership continuity as Montana’s Bicentennial commences. A special note of appreciation should be noted for Governor Martz’s support as Montana prepares for its Lewis & Clark Bicentennial in 2005 and 2006. Thanks Governor Martz!
• State Commission Announces Grant Programs for 2005: During its October 14-15, 2004 meeting the Montana Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commission confirmed the following as its grant funding priorities for 2005:
  • Explore! the Big Sky National Signature Event = $80,000
  • Clark on the Yellowstone National Signature Event = $20,000
  • Lewis & Clark at the Confluence Event = $10,000
  • Montana Tribal Tourism Alliance = $5,000
  • Corps II Host Communities ($500/day for programming) = $18,500
  • Organization & Planning Grants = $ 22,000
  • * Although no funding amount was set, the Commission did identify the “Encountering the Bitterroot Salish” Event as a prospective grant recipient*
• Education Committee Update: As this newsletter goes to print plans are being finalized to convene a meeting of the state Commission’s Education Committee. Possible agenda topics for the committee’s consideration include a proposal to join with the Montana Office of Public Instruction and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Forestry Division for an Arbor Day 2005 event, and the promotion of a “Lewis & Clark Day” in Montana schools in 2005 or 2006. Details of these proposals will be forthcoming from the state Commission as they are known.
• Commission to Draft Transition Plan: During its October meeting the state Commission established a “Transition Committee” to outline what remains to be accomplished and to suggest long-term funding strategies for the Montana Lewis & Clark Trail after the state Commission officially sunsets on 12/31/07.

Explore! the Big Sky Tickets Now Available:

Tickets for the 34-day Explore! the Big Sky National Signature Event are now available for purchase on-line at: www.explorethebigsky.org, or by calling: 406-455-8514. Make plans now to attend!

New Lewis & Clark Map Available:

Working in partnership with the Montana Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commission, the Montana Department of Transportation’s Road and Mapping Section has created an informative and attractive state map featuring Montana’s Lewis & Clark Trail, the locations of Montana’s two National Signature Events, the eighteen Montana host communities for the National Park Service’s Corps II traveling interpretive park, and other key events to be held in Montana in 2005 and 2006. To receive a copy of this new map call the Commission office, or access a printable map on-line at: www.montanalewisandclark.org/whatsnew.

Circle of Tribal Advisors Announce PSA Campaign:

The Circle of Tribal Advisors (COTA) recently announced the launch of their new Cultural Awareness PSA Campaign. Two public service announcements focusing on “survival” and “cultural resource protection” will soon be hitting media outlets. Congratulations on a quality program!

2005 Challenge Cost Share Grants Program Announced:

The National Park Service announced in early October that their Challenge Cost Share Grant Program would again be offered in 2005. Interested local communities and non-profit organizations seeking funding for legacy projects or for production of Bicentennial events and activities must apply on-line by January 14, 2005. Access application material at: www.nps.gov/lecl, or contact Project Coordinator, Midori Raymore at: midori_raymore@nps.gov, or by phone at: 888-237-3252.

Some special Montana mementos were sent to Illinois for inclusion in their Lewis & Clark time capsule to be opened in 2054. These items included: Lewis & Clark Educator’s Resource Guide, pictorial publication by Rick and Suzie Graetz, Edgar Paxson and Bob Morgan note cards, artistic vision for Senate Legacy Bronze, and Confluence of Cultures Proceedings.

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Montana Lewis & Clark Bicentennial
P O Box 201203
Helena, MT 59620-1203
406-443-2109 ph.
406-444-2686 fax
www.montanalewisandclark.org

Performing Arts Directory On-Line:

The challenge of securing quality Lewis & Clark performers and presenters for your local civic club, motor coach tours or other group gatherings was made much easier with the recent posting of the Lewis & Clark Performing Arts Directory to the state Commission web site (www.montanalewisandclark.org/whatsnew). Many, but not all, of the programs listed in this new directory were featured on stage in June, 2005 during the Performing Arts Showcase held in Livingston, MT.

L&C Training Academy Workshops Planned for 2005:

The US Army Corp of Engineers recently announced they will partner with the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Great Falls to offer three education workshops in Montana in 2005. These “Lewis & Clark Training Academy” programs will cover a wide spectrum of Lewis & Clark topics and are offered at no cost to agencies and the general public. Workshops will be held in Billings on March 23-24; in Missoula the last week of April; and in Great Falls the first week of May (exact dates for Missoula and Great Falls are not confirmed at this time). Pre-registration is preferred. For more information please email Ken Wilk at: Kenneth.S.Wilk@nwk02.usace.army.mil, or call him at: 785-453-2338.

Discovery Expedition to “Proceed On” in 2005:

With its 2004 Missouri River trek from Hood River, IL to the Mandan villages of North Dakota complete, the Discovery Expedition of St. Charles, MO is now focusing on its plans for 2005. An October 28th planning meeting in Glasgow, MT allowed Hi-Line communities an introduction to the Discovery Expedition’s plans for a river re-enactment from Fort Union, ND to the Fort Benton area in May, 2005. Once in the Great Falls/Fort Benton area the Discovery Expedition will partner with the Lewis & Clark Honor Guard and the Explore! the Big Sky National Signature Event. Although very tentative at this time, the Discovery Expedition is also considering plans to re-trace the Lewis & Clark trail from Great Falls to the Travelers’ Rest state park near Lolo in the summer of 2005. Communities interested in having the Discovery Expedition visit their community can express those intentions by sending an email to: scheduling@lewisandclark.net.