Char-Koosta News

12/31/2025

Exciting developments coming from S&K Gaming!

S&K Gaming, located on the Flathead Reservation in Montana, is on track to open their latest venture, 400 Horses Casino, in May.Liz Dempsey reports.©2025 Cha...

12/31/2025

A new generation of indigenous leaders take charge of the conversation.

Tribal high school students take the lead in asking potential Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes council members questions that concern the youth. In th...

12/31/2025

Youth Snowshoeing Adventure!
To register, follow the link: https://forms.office.com/r/MhWJ6hGh4B
TH-eligible youth, ages 13-18
*If we don't have snow, we'll still move forward with the activity as a hike!

12/31/2025

Be aware of fake bills.

12/30/2025

Looking forward to seeing you at the January Quarterly meeting in Council Chambers, starts at 9 a.m. January 2 in Pablo.

12/30/2025

In Loving Memory of Sherry Clairmont
July 16, 1953 - December 27, 2025

On the early morning of December 27, 2025, the Big Sky lost one of its truest daughters. Sherry Clairmont-beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend­ passed away peacefully of natural causes at her home on the Clairmont Ranch, the very soil that shaped her life and legacy.

A Legacy of the Land
Born July 16, 1953, in Ronan, Montana, to Henry Alphonse Clairmont, Sherry was the epitome of a Montana cowgirl. She didn't just live on the ranch; she was the heartbeat of it. Following in the footsteps of her grandfather and father, she headed hundreds of cattle and raised her three sons with the same grit and resilience she applied to the land. Sherry was a "seasoned" worker in the truest sense; if you spent a day working alongside her, you didn't just leave with stories-you left with callouses on your hands and a newfound respect for the spirit of the West.

One With the Great Buffalo Sherry held a connection to the earth that few could claim. She was a pioneer-the only woman on the Bison Range to herd bison on horseback. To Sherry, the buffalo were more than livestock; they were kin. She walked among them with a quiet reverence, once remarking on the pride she felt standing with them:

"The kindness and strength the buffalo have... I felt proud to stand there with them. I know they came with our ancestors, and they'll be there tomorrow."

She was "one with them," moving through the world with the same quiet power and ancestral grace as the herds she so loved.

A Heart of Service
Though she was strong enough to run a ranch on her own, Sherry's hands­ hardened by labor-were also capable of immense tenderness. She dedicated herself to the care of others, serving as a caregiver for the CSKT, proving that true strength is found in the balance of fierce independence and compassionate service.

Her Great Reunion
Sherry is preceded in death by her grandfather, Joseph Henry Alphonse Clairmont, father, Henry Clairmont; her mother, Irma Clairmont; her brother, Henry Eugene Clairmont; and her nephews, Henry
Lee Clairmont and Shawn Clairmont. Her legacy lives on through her husband, two-time Cruiserweight World Champion Marvin Camel; her children, Louie (Keya) Camel of Ronan, Mervyn "Cass" (Mariah) Camel of Pablo, Marvin Jr. "Fox" Camel, Jack Adams, and Patrick Adams. She is also survived by her siblings, Dennis (Denny), Joel, Christine, Nadine, Roger, Chet, Jerry, Kevin, Yvonne and Eileen, as well as a multitude of grandchildren who will grow up hearing the legends of their grandmother.

Rest In Peace, Mom.
Mom, we love you deeply. You left us a path that is easy to follow but impossible to fill. We will take it from here, continuing the work you loved and honoring your name through the ranch, the cattle, and the buffalo you walked among. Thank you for watching over us then, and for guiding us from the afterlife now.

Our love for you is eternal.

Your sons Louie, Marvin, and Mervyn and families.

Rosary will be held at 7 pm Tuesday, Dec. 30 at the St. Ignatius Community Center. Funeral services will be held at 11 am Wednesday, Dec 31 at the St. Ignatius Community Center

12/26/2025

🫶🏽Keeping traditions alive community cooking and menu planning workshop with Cleo Kenmille

📅 Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025
🕰️ 9 AM-3 PM
📍 Food Sovereignty kitchen, Kicking Horse
All ages welcome! Middle school children and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

See flyer for details 👇

12/24/2025

Congratulations to Dominick Haynes on his 1st place finish at 138 # @ the Arlee Christmas Invite Tournament.🥇💯 Representing the Salish and Kootenai Tribes!💪🏽🔥

12/23/2025

12/23/2025

New Evening Basic Salish Class for Indigenous High School students and a family member. Please contact us with your email address if you’re interested.