Octave Finley, a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of Montana, was honored on Wednesday for 39 years of sobriety.
Finley, 70, a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, said he started drinking at age 14. He quit for the sake of his family.
"I stopped for them," he told The Missoulian of his wife and four children.
Finley, a spiritual leader and war dance chief, is part of the Sober Indian Riders motorcycle group. He was honored at the 109th annual Arlee Celebration Arlee Celebration powwow, which takes place this week on the Flathead Reservation. Other veterans also were honored.
Get the Story:Riding for sobriety - War dance chief inducted at Arlee Celebration (The Missoulian 7/5) Relevant Links:
Arlee Celebration - http://arleepowwow.com
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes - http://www.cskt.org
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