WIND RIVER RETREAT!

JOIN ME

(along with Father John O'Malley and Vicky Holden, characters in the New York Times bestselling Wind River novels) for the

Third Annual Book Discussion Retreat

June 29-July 3, 2025

St. Stephen's Mission
(St. Francis Mission in the novels)
Wind River Reservation, Wyoming

THE EXPERIENCE

A horseback or wagon ride through the Wind River Reservation...

A lecture and exhibit on the ledgerbooks of the Plains Indians...

A private performance of the award-winning Arapaho dancers...

These are just some of the highlights of this year’s book discussion retreat on the reservation, June 29-July 3. Those who wish to come a day or two early can see the Shoshone Powwow, featuring Indian dancers from across the West in a county-fair atmosphere, with booths featuring arts and crafts and Indian foods.

The retreat is a unique opportunity to visit the Reservation, get to know the Arapahos and Shoshones in their homelands and be immersed in their history, art and culture. Mornings we will discuss three books by Margaret Coel. Afternoons we will tour the reservation and get to know Arapahos and Shoshones in their homelands and enjoy getting to know their rich history, art and culture.

THE DETAILS

We will discuss three of Margaret's books:

CHIEF LEFT HAND
(Published by the University of Oklahoma Press and available in libraries, bookstores and on Amazon)
Margaret’s national award-winning non-fiction biography of a leading Arapaho chief in the war-ravaged 1800s that led to the Sand Creek Massacre. The book provides the background to the later novels by explaining who the Arapahos were, how they had once lived and how they had come to the reservation. “A chilling, gripping story.” —Publishers Weekly

THE STORY TELLER
A novel about the ledgerbooks kept by the Plains Indians, including the Arapahos, that recorded in pictographs their own history. “One of the best of the year.” —Booklist

WINTER'S CHILD
A novel that blends history with the present and intertwines the stories of two white girls on the reservation a century apart. “Magnificently crafted.” —Publishers Weekly

Accommodations will be provided at the beautiful and comfortable Wind River Hotel and Casino (three miles from St. Stephens). Breakfast, lunch and dinner will alternate between the hotel restaurants and Eagle Hall on the mission grounds.

We will stroll the mission grounds, visit the beautiful church decorated by Arapaho artists and walk through the cottonwood tunnel.

Mornings: On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday we will discuss one of the books.

Afternoons: We will travel Seventeen-Mile Road to Ethete, Fort Washakie and other sites featured in the novels. We will meet and get to know Arapahos and Shoshones in their own homelands.

Evenings: We will hear from Arapahos and Shoshones about life on the reservation and enjoy the beautiful music, art and culture of the people. We will also have a live performance of Darrell Lonebear’s award-winning ARAPAHO DANCERS.

The retreat will begin with dinner on Sunday night, June 29, and end with breakfast on Thursday, July 3.

JOIN US!

Participants are accepted on a first-come basis. For information on pricing, accommodations and for reservations, email or call:

bjholiday23@gmail.com
Barbara: 307-837-2733
Father Drew: 307-575-1743

2023 Book Discussion Retreatants

Arapaho Dancers