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Marie Torosian, from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in Montana was the coordinator for the pouch project. She writes:

I was extremely overwhelmed and excited at the response and the excellent workmanship from our tribal artists. We had over 300 artists participate in this project, they beaded a traditional floral design and a geometric design that represents our three tribes - the Salish, Kootenai and Pend d'Oreille people. We have many talented tribal artists that bead, paint, sculpt, sing and drum, sew and make outfits for dancing, dance and speak our traditional languages. I am proud of our tribal people and their talents. I am happy to have been a part of this project.

If there is any interest in contacting any of the beadworkers, please call Marie Torosian at The People's Center, 406-675-0160, or visit their website at www.peoplescenter.org .

Marie Torosian was also one of the participating artists, she writes:

I learned to bead from my mother (Ida Curley-Salish) and grandmother(Annie Finley Sorrell-Salish) when I was young. My parents and grandparents taught me to be proud of who I am and where I come from and to learn and carry on our tribal traditions. I have been gifted with the ability to bead and I have used the traditional designs of the Salish-Pend d'Oreille and the Coeur d'Alene tribe as well. My paternal grandmother whom I was fortunate in knowing was an excellent bead worker. I have tried to bead her designs into my work. In my adult life, my good friend Lucy Vanderburg has helped me to critque my techniques and learn more designs. Her help has been valuable. I love beading, it is relaxing and I love gifting my family with my art. My husband and I are both from the Salish tribe and we have three beautiful children whom we have passed our knowledge on to. I believe in learning our tribal traditions and keeping them alive. I enjoyed beading these pouches and I hope whomever gets one of my pouches enjoys and appreciates them. I currently work for The People's Center - Cultural Center and Museum as Education Director. I have the opportunity to continue instruction in beadwork and outfit construction and tribal history for our people. I enjoy my work and meeting people from all over.

Lucy Vanderburg, a member of The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes is Program Manager for The People's Center-Cultural Center and Museum. Like Marie Torosian, she helped coordinate the project and also participated as an artist. She says:

I've been beading for over 50 years. I learned to bead from my mother, Agnes Vanderburg, and my older sister, Anna Vanderburg. Beading was a common pastime all of my life.   Once I perfected my beading style, I was able to help my mother. Every Winter, we tackled large projects and our goal was to be finished by spring. I find beading to be very relaxing and therapeutic. It is an honor for me to pass this traditional knowledge on to not only my children and grandchildren but to all who want to learn.

Mary Adele Rogers, another participating artist, writes:

I am a descendant of The Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes and a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. I've enjoyed creating the pouches for the US Mint. I can only hope whoever purchases these pouches enjoys them as well. I've learned to bead on my own, with the help of friends helping me critique and expand my knowledge. Besides beadwork I also quilt, cross stitch, weave, make candles and create jewelry.

Below is a list of the many artists that participated in this project from the Confederated Tribes of the Salish, Kootenai, and Pend D'Oreille Tribes.   If you are interested in contacting any of the artists (bead workers) listed, please contact The People's Center at 406-675-0160. The People's Center thanks the many tribal artists that participated by beading, gathering materials, arranging beads & supplies and packaging finished products for shipment.

Note: No part of this page (images, quotations, etc) may be used or reproduced without written permission of the individuals to which they are attributed. Please contact cota@lewisandclark200.org if you wish to obtain such permission.