First of all, what is Fort Peck? It is a reservation in northeast Montana, the home of several federally recognized bands of Native American peoples: Assiniboine, Lakota and Dakota. It is also the place where I grew up, in the city of Poplar, where my parents, who’d been living and working in Wyoming, landed as teachers looking for jobs near their home state of North Dakota in the early 1970s.

Rich Peterson, a fellow journalist, was the oldest of the Peterson kids who attended my home parish of Our Lady of Lourdes, just off Highway 2. His perspective on faith encompasses both the world of Christianity and the spirituality of the Native people. It’s a perspective of mystery, story and a deep connection to family. Join us for this fascinating glimpse of the melding of two spiritual worldviews that might just not be so different after all.  

More:

Some of Rich Peterson’s Great Falls Tribune articles:

• https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2014/02/23/treasured-tradition/5710063/
• https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/local/2017/05/03/film-crew-poplar-shoot-scenes-video-game/101241072/
• https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/local/2015/06/13/brad-pitt-foundation-homes-arrive-reservation/71163894/

RezKast radio station: https://www.rezkastradio.com/

History of Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, 1800-2000: https://a.co/d/44HB9zI

One explanation of heyoka: https://www.historynet.com/lakota-heyokas-lightning-rods-got-backward/

A few related pieces of Roxane’s:

• Sheila Greybull’s obituary (written by Roxane after their time together in July 2023 at her home in Great Falls, at Sheila’s request: https://claytonstevensonmemorialchapel.com/obituaries/sheila-greybull-age-55-of-poplar-mt/)
• Roxane’s article on visiting Sheila before her death (originally published in The Forum newspaper): https://roxanesalonen.com/2023/09/24/living-faith-heaven-brought-sheila-greybull-back-to-me/