Ronan was named for Peter Ronan, an Indian agent. The area around Ronan was part of the Flathead Reservation [1] until 1910.
The Garden of the Rockies pioneer museum (1071 Terrace Lake Rd., 406/676-5210) is four blocks west of the Highway 93 stoplight. There are mock-ups of a doctor’s office, barbershop, schoolroom, kitchen, bedroom, and living room. Expect a friendly volunteer to give you a personalized tour; perhaps you’ll get a demonstration of a favorite object, such as a hand-pumped vacuum cleaner.
Pablo, five miles north of Ronan, is the headquarters of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and home of Salish-Kootenai College (406/275-4800, www.skc.edu [2]), which offers programs in general studies, Native American studies, nursing, and a range of human services and vocational fields. The college library is a good place to read up on the Salish and Kootenai tribes.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/montana/missoula-and-northwestern-montana/flathead-reservation-and-mission-valley
[2] http://www.skc.edu