Big Arm project is dealt a bad blow
Editor,
On Oct. 1, 2007, the old Big Arm school house that was one of the first schools to teach Native American and homesteaders' children together suffered yet another blow. This time it was not from harsh winds or a penetrating sun on the plains of Big Arm, it was delivered by the School Board of District 23 when the trustees voted to decline to exchange the property that the school house sits on for another like Big Arm parcel.
The county commissioners, who represent the whole county, had offered a reserve parcel of land in a proposed exchange to the School District. Of course there were questions of valuation and other issues that clouded the offer but none of them were insurmountable if all worked together to make it happen.
If the School Trustees had accepted the offer, the Big Arm Association and other interested parties would have been able to save the school that, if left with no attention, will fall into a state of disrepair. Private funds and grant money would become available to repair the old school that was recently given historical landmark status by the State of Montana and is now proudly included in the United States National Record of Historic Places.
The Association asked permission of the trustees to obtain the official State Historic Places Sign and was told by several of them that the sign would send the "wrong message." How can a community being proud of their heritage and wanting to share it with everyone be the "wrong message?"
It is the intent of the Big Arm Association and others to restore the school to its glory so District 23 students, which include Polson children and other visitors, could visit the site to see what it was like to attend a real historic rural school. The school house would also be used for after-school activities for children and community events.
What a heritage it would be to leave for future generations to witness and use! There are not many old schools like this one left to even think about saving.
Two of the trustees said "we are not here to guarantee the history of the place" and "the board is not in the business of protecting historic buildings." Both of these statements are strictly true but to value selling this National Historic property for a one time shot of cash is not in the best interest of the community or of educating the children who could visit the Big Arm School for on-site classes. We believe there is a moral obligation to preserve history.
The Big Arm Association and the county commissioners will continue to try, as we have tried for 18 months, to find a way to save this landmark. If anyone would like to help save the school, you can call the Big Arm Association at 849-6628.
Alison Meslin
The Big Arm Association
Big Arm
Make your - home fire-safe
Editor:
This week marks Fire Prevention Week, and it is important to remember the vital role firefighters and rescue workers have in keeping our communities and neighborhoods safe from fires, natural disasters, auto accidents, and other emergencies.
In times of tragedy, we realize how invaluable our first responders are and how important it is to make certain that they are supported.
You can help your local fire department keep your community safe by practicing fire safety and learning how to prevent fires from happening in the first place.
Fire Prevention Week is a great time to make sure you are doing everything possible to prevent fires and their devastating consequences in your own home.
Install smoke alarms in every level of your house and outside all sleeping rooms. Make sure to check these smoke alarms at least once a month to ensure they are working correctly. Develop a fire escape plan for your family and practice using this plan at least twice a year. Make sure each family member knows what they are supposed to do in the event of a fire or other emergency. Practice fire safety in everyday tasks, such as cooking, which is the leading cause of home fires.
The National Volunteer Fire Council and Fire Corps have teamed up to provide fire prevention tips you can use to keep you, your family, and your home safe. Visit www.nvfc.org or www.firecorps.org to review these life-saving tips.
Mark Young
Charlo/Moiese
Volunteer Fire Chief
Help keep animal shelter open
Editor:
I'm writing about the article I read in Oct. 4, Leader regarding the Mission Valley Animal Shelter. If the citizens of Lake County and Mission Valley want the shelter to keep accepting lost, homeless, and abandoned cats and dogs, we should do our part to make sure it keeps going.
We should donate what we can to the animal shelter to keep it open, because if the shelter closes Lake County will lose its ability to take care of lost, homeless, and abandoned pets. It would become very problematic for the county because no one outside of the county will take the animals.
So, please let us all do our parts to help keep the shelter running and open. Thank you, Lake County and Mission Valley.
Lynn Delecaris
St. Ignatius
Joe Dupuis - deserved better
Editor,
My brother, he's heard things that no one else has; you think he's not listening, but he's heard everything you've said. He trusts you, no strings attached. He believes in you like no one else has. He gives you words to say, in your own way. You have a friend in him, no matter how you treat him or what you say.
This is my brother, Joe Dupuis. He does not judge you, no matter what others say. Who do you trust?
I've never been so disillusioned as I am with the actions of the Tribal Council. The fact that they could be so disrespectful to our elders who sat waiting for three-and-a-half hours is beyond me. Then, to top it off, not even let them speak in support of Joe.
What is going on in their minds that could make them act in such a way? Not to mention the way that Joe was treated. Is this what we can all expect from here on out? To be tossed aside and talked down to as if we are nothing? We are the constituents that you are serving. No matter what, we are Tribal Members first! We have rights.
If you expect respect, you are wrong. Respect is earned, it doesn't come with the position. Joe is a very dedicated and respected person and he earned it with his 37 years as Executive Secretary. He never, ever turns his back on anyone, nor does he treat them in a disrespectful manner, no matter what you've done or said to him.
Each and every one of you involved in this mess need to ask yourselves these questions: Am I worthy of this position? Be honest when you answer that question. Do you treat everyone as you wish to be treated? Are there certain individuals that you treat badly? Are there certain individuals that you have wronged for your own benefit?
When you look into the mirror every day, who do you see? It also embarrasses me to know that in fact a council member (you know who you are) sat in the chambers in front of everyone and argued with a funding agency representative, and the proof is in the pudding. Is that individual embarrassed? Probably not. I know that with this, I'll probably be the next with a bullseye on my back, but that's OK. At least I can sleep at night. Can you?
Loretta Stevens
Tribal member
Libby
Ronan Homecoming week was great
Editor,
Many thanks to everyone that made our Homecoming Week at Ronan High School such a success.
First of all the administration was supportive of our ideas and helped to initiate them, to the staff that wore the costumes and cheered on the class competitions, and the many businesses (including the bus garage) for allowing us to create floats in their buildings.
Thanks to the parade judges for weathering the storm and the parents and fans for staying through the game to our victory.
Middle School helped energize our pep rally and participated in our parade. We appreciate the support of Stan Hochhalter and the Lakes for the John Deere Tractor, the Tobols for allowing Reed to drive one to town, and the school maintenance crew for their baby tractors on John Deere Day.
To Val and Judy, our secretaries, you are awesome for taking pictures, answering questions, and special recognition to Judy for making the afghan for our queen.
Hopefully you noticed our tipi set up by Leslie Caye and students.
Our week was a positive experience for all of us and a good boost of school spirit.
It is times such as this that we appreciate our small town and its involvement in our children.
Marlena Jensen
Aaron Griffin
RHS Student Council Advisors SKC Anniversary articles inspiring
Editor,
There have been several great articles in the papers this past week on the founding of the Salish and Kootenai Tribal College, and profiling some of the Founders, including Dr. Joe McDonald, Mike O'Donnell, Lois and Jerry Slater, Cleo Kenmille, Darry Dupuis, Bob Peregoy, Doug Allard, and many others.
However, the article on Joe McDonald in the Char-Koosta by Maggie Plummer was exceptional. It had a great human interest story line, and carefully outlned and researched the many personal achievements and accomplishments about Joe in his personal and professional life. He is truly "a man for all seasons." The articles are very inspirational, and the Char-Koosta, particularly Maggie Plummer, and the other papers should be commended for writing and printing the stories.
To change the subject, I would like to inform the area readers that the Montana and SKC-TV PBS stations will air a program titled: "The Homefront: United or Divided" (Oct. 2, 3. 6, 7, and concluding Oct. 18).
One of the four principal characters in the program is a gentleman by the name of Barney Old Coyote, from the Crow Indian Tribe.
Barney and his older brother Henry have their photos featured on the cover of the Montana PBS monthly schedule. The Old Coyote brothers flew more than 50 combat missions in France, Belgium, and Germany. After WW II, both Barney and Henry had long distinguished careers in Tribal, State, Federal, and academic pursuits.
Barney had at least one other younger brother by the name of Lloyd "Mickey" Old Coyote who served in the Korean Conflict in the early 1950s. One of Mickey's children is now a St. Ignatius resident.
His name is Alvin Old Coyote. Alvin and his wife Christine "Crickey" have a son by the name of Avery Old Coyote, who is well known in the Western Montana area as an outstanding athlete, a good student, and a member of the local Indian fire fighting crew. Avery is now in his second year at MSU.
Avery's grandmother and Crickey's mother is Lois "Sally" Dumontier Mitchell, also of St. Ignatius.
Coincidentally, Ken Burns' documentary on WW II, titled: "The War," in episode No. 5, has a brief feature on Dr. Joe Medicine Crow, also of the Crow Tribe, on his war experiences in the European campaign as a foot soldier.
Although, Ken Burns never mentions Iraq in the documentary and describes WW II as a "Necessary War," as silently contrasted with an unnecessary war(s). The news articles and PBS TV programs referred to in this letter should be required reading and viewing in all Indian Studies, Social Studies, and History classes.
Wyman J. McDonald
Ronan