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Amy Webster to research, design and maintain all the exhibits
for the museum. The restored artifacts are displayed in two mu-
seum rooms, while other, more delicate items are stored—where
else?—in the bank vault.
Nadia Askan serves as education coordinator for Three Chiefs,
and oversees all education activities, which are the main thrust
of their ambitious slate of cultural programming.
And then there's that dazzling gift shop. The responsibility
of ordering, stocking and presenting for sale the hundreds of
Native-designed items and beading/sewing supplies falls on
Loushie Charlo. She works tirelessly to maintain what has to be
the most colorful gift shop in Montana.
The old bank location is secure and fire-protected, but Torosian
has her sights set even higher. With the blessing of the tribal coun-
cil, she's seeking an appropriate site to build an all-new facility.
There are a couple of locations being considered but Torosian de-
clined to elaborate. Once the land has been cleared for use, they'll
kick into fundraising mode.
Meanwhile Torosian and many of her fellow Salish, Kootenai,
and Pend d'Orielle tribal members still mourn the tragic loss of
their beautiful and beloved People's Center, a powerful symbol
of their Indian pride and cultural heritage. Still, Torosian keeps
her gaze looking forward.
Delicate items of clothing and jewelry were cleaned
and restored over a period of nearly five years.
EDNOR
THERRIAULT
(3)
Colorful earrings are just some of the myriad Native-made pieces of jewelry available in
the Three Chiefs gift shop.
