From the perspective of Museum Director Samantha French, the Blaine County Museum's guests during the Sugarbeet Festival were well received by the community. Following the "Hear Me, My Chiefs" presentation by Nez Perce Elder LeRoy Seth and Pendleton Designer Terry Ball, four people were named winners of woolen blankets.

During their "standing-room only" talk, the pair of presenters discussed the creation of Ball's limited edition wool blanket, "Hear Me, My Chiefs," a work of art that commemorates the historic Nez Perce Flight of 1877. As LeRoy shared the historical account, the duo also explained how the colors, figures, and symbols help to tell the story of the 1877 journey of a band of Nez Perce people as they attempted to reach Canada, hoping to find freedom.

According to French, the presentation provided an opportunity for people to get a "rare and valuable perspective" on Nez Perce history from a Nez Perce Elder. During the session, Seth wore a buckskin shirt, telling the crowd of approximately 80 people that the garment was passed down from his ancestors. "I was offered thousands of dollars from someone interested in purchasing this shirt, but as a family treasure, it is worth more than money," Seth declared.

"Our presenters shared a deep history that took place in this part of Montana. This was a rare gift, since we don't have a tribe of Nez Perce living here," French stated.

Following the talk, four raffles ensued. Winona Azure was the winner of the Limited Edition Hear Me, My Chiefs Pendleton blanket, which depicts Chief Joseph flanked by Chief Looking Glass and Chief White Bird astride their horses in front of the Wallowa Mountains of the Nez Perce Homeland in Northeastern Oregon.

Two Chief Joseph blankets were also raffled off. Tickets for these blankets were sold to participants during the first ten minutes of the event. According to Pendleton Mills, the Chief Joseph blanket is one of their most popular designs. It features bold arrowheads to represent the chief's courage, strength, and integrity and is patterned after a design first woven in the 1920s. Chief Joseph, who led the Nez Perce tribe in the late 1800s, was widely admired for protecting his people and speaking the truth. "He is honored with this design, symbolizing bravery," a Pendleton spokesperson stated.

Marilyn Granell held one of the numbers drawn and received a black Chief Joseph blanket while Sandy Wilson was the lucky winner of a turquoise version. Both queen-size blankets are reversible for two different color schemes.

A fourth winner and frequent volunteer at the museum, Peggy Perry was awarded a vintage woolen blanket from Terry Ball's private collection.