Team Montana did well in Denver games

Editor,

I would like to congratulate the six young men (of team Montana basketball), their coach, and their chaperone who took time out of their busy lifestyles to represent all of their people and the great state of Montana at the North American Indigenous Games, held in Denver July 2-9.

I wish that I had enough eagle feathers to give each and every one of you. For you young adults surely deserve such an honor. Although you were few and not tall, you proved with your hearts and courage that defeat would not come easy, your three wins and two losses prove this.

If people should mock you of your efforts, it is sadly out of jealousy. And the people that believed in you and helped to make this possible will see you rise and shine in the future.

To watch you practice and have fun assured me that your team and individual talents and great sportsmanship would make your people very proud of the six players, their coach and chaperone for your efforts and your performance.

I hope that your experience will help you in the future to reach your goals that you may have thought were impossible. Stay in school, get your education. Your talents and personalities will help you prosper and persevere.

Space limitations make it impossible to list them all, but I would like to say thanks to all the organizations and caring hearts that made this all possible.

Proud tribal member,

Francis L. Pierre

Arlee