Winter storytelling series continues Jan. 25 at Travelers’ Rest State Park with presentation by Mandala

LOLO — Travelers’ Rest State Park near Lolo will continue its Winter Storytelling Series this Saturday, Jan. 25 at 11 a.m. with a presentation from local storyteller, Mandela van Eeden, on her experience on the front lines of conservation in Africa.

Mandela is the lead storyteller for Missoula-based Xplorer Maps and host of The Trail Less Traveled, an internationally broadcast adventure radio series and podcast that covers stories from the most remote locations around the world.

Mandela will focus on her most recent project in Zambia with Game Rangers International. Attendees can expect to learn about conservation challenges, history, geology, and ecology in Africa from the perspective of Mandela’s first-hand experiences. Mandela will also play the didgeridoo and answer questions.

For nearly two decades, this storytelling series has been a seasonal celebration of the Séliš tradition of sharing stories during the cold winter months. Each Saturday through March 8 Travelers’ Rest State Park with host stories from elders, authors, historians, and naturalists. Join in the programs at the visitor center or online following a Zoom link.

Admission to the storytelling programs is $5 per person and free for members of Travelers’ Rest Connection and those under 18. Find out more about this program and the complete series, including how to join in via Zoom: travelersrest.org/events/winter-storytelling/.

The one-hour programs run every Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.:

• Jan. 25: Adventure, conservation, and coexistence in Africa with Mandela van Eeden
• Feb. 1: Discovering the joys and techniques of bird watching with Sneed Collard
• Feb. 8: York’s role and unique journey in the Lewis & Clark Expedition with Hasan Davis
• Feb. 15: Montana culture and history with anthropologist Sally Thompson
• Feb. 22: A visit with one of the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival’s filmmakers
• March 1: Time travels with Queen Elizabeth through reenactment by Leslie Van Stavern
• March 8: Smokejumper history told by Fred Cooper, former smokejumper and author

Complimentary coffee, tea, hot chocolate and home-baked treats will be available at all programs. The visitor center will be open after the programs, from noon until 4:00 p.m.

Travelers’ Rest is a significant site for Native Americans and a Lewis and Clark Expedition archaeologically verified campsite. The park hosts many public programs, such as the winter storytelling series. For more information, contact Travelers’ Rest State Park (6717 Hwy 12, Lolo) at 406-273–4253 or visit travelersrest.org under the events page.

The Winter Storytelling Series is sponsored by Travelers' Rest Connection, Humanities Montana, Montana Public Radio (MTPR), Missoula’s Community Media Resource (MCAT), and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.