Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority Conference Promotes Cultural Exchange and Rail Development

CSKT Tribal Council representatives Mike Dolson and Martin Charlo attended the BSPRA Annual Conference last month. Dolson gave the welcoming address at the banquet on Friday evening and shared the complicated history of the railroad and its impact on the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes throughout history. Over 140 years later, tribal leaders are optimistic about the possibility of a passenger railroad line that crosses the same strip of land that previous leaders had fought so hard against building on the reservation. The proposed passenger rail will travel north from Missoula through Arlee, Ravalli, and Dixon then west to Spokane.

“I am glad to hear of their push to return passenger trains to the southern route. Martin Charlo is the fellow who has great knowledge of their entire effort,” said Dolson. Read more.