Letters to the editor, June 10

Ronan High School thanks

Another school year has come to an end and our staff and students are thankful to so many who made our year successful. Many thanks to the community for your support in all of our activities, to the sponsors of scholarships for believing in the future of our graduates, and to the families who were always there when needed.

To Ronna, at Ronan Flower Mill, for donating so much to our prom and high school and middle school graduations, other businesses for your dollars and services provided to us throughout the year, we truly could not do all that we do without your assistance.

This is a great community to live in when the chips are down, our kids need a boost, or a helpful hand is needed. We continue to strive for the best, encourage our students to "pay it forward" and teach them that "there's no place like home." Kudos to you all!

Marlena Jensen

Ronan High School

Decker's speech

I was part of a sizable audience that heard attorney Daniel J. Decker speak last Thursday at the SKC Johnny Arlee Theatre. For those who missed this, Decker reviewed the last 100 years of Tribal land issues -- chronicled through U.S. Congressional Acts.

The delivery clarified what I already understood of the Hellgate Treaty recognizing the Flathead Nation as sovereign. This was based on constitutional law to the exclusion of states. That fact bears repeating to all of us, no matter how long has been our residency. The most valuable insight for me was learning that the Dawes Act set off a series of Congressional actions that were ultimately not arrested until 1934. The Indian Reorganization Act, for those of us who do not know this, returned to the Tribe future surplus land allotments rather than continuing the bidding for anyone else.

How many of us know that Tribal land at one point was 22 million acres? Homesteading began 100 years ago on this highly desirable terrain. The fact that we all still live in beauty is clearly to the credit of the Tribe's going to court if necessary.

Attorney Decker shared a personal thought during his lecture to which I heard audible audience affirmation. Rather than using the term "member" when referring to Tribal affiliation, why not use "citizen?" I also agree. Wouldn't this wording describe more accurately CSKT as a sovereign nation?

Finally: Here is my hope in timing the next area centennial: 2034 as the year where the Flathead Nation began to rebuild its identity through the land held so sacred. This makes as much sense to me as this year's events. Why not consider the Salish wisdom with which Daniel Decker opened his lecture? When you get knocked down, you get back up. Surely we all can relate to this. And in 24 more years, I hope I am still here to celebrate.

Nancy Glueckert

Polson resident

Thanks to a caring community

It is with deep heartfelt thanks that I write this letter to thank all of you who attended a recent cancer benefit for me and my family. A cancer benefit is something I would not wish upon anyone, yet that Saturday night I would not trade for anything. The out-pouring of support and caring by this community was beyond words.

For over 12 years I have acted as a chaplain in hospice and oncology settings. One of the main messages I have given to people is that when people are thrust into cancer, they need to accept help and support.

Most of us in our lifetimes have been great " givers." To be a "receiver" is both difficult and humbling. I have emphasized that to reject help is to reject gifts from people who care about you deeply and want to support you in your time of need. And then I was thrust into cancer. When I listened to my own advice (and it wasn't easy) I felt like a dance teacher who suddenly had to actually dance.

When I was initially diagnosed, I immediately thought I could get through this by myself. The night of the benefit, I got cold feet. I really didn't want to attend because I assumed it would be all about me.

How wrong I was, it was about us, this community, not just me. The benefit was about being supported by a loving and caring community. It was about you and me on a journey toward wholeness.

Thanks to all who made this event what it was. It will be forever etched in my mind and I will never forget.

John Payne

Polson resident

Bread Basket thanks

The Bread Basket Board would like to thank the Rural Post Office carriers in the Ronan, Pablo, Charlo and Moiese area for bringing in 692 pounds of food last month. A big thank you goes to the families for their generosity in sharing their groceries. Our needy families will benefit greatly from the food.

The Salish Kootenai College had a service day and 16 of the staff and faculty came to the Bread Basket. They donated their time to clean the yard and paint the front window sidings. We really appreciate this volunteer help that the college gives throughout the county. What a great service to our communities.

Thank you again for your kind generosity in helping the needy people in our communities of Ronan, Pablo, Charlo and Moiese.

Chris Shrider

Bread Basket secretary

Questions

I have questions: How many citizens living in Lake County believe our country is a democracy? How many would know that our country is in fact a republic? Why is it even necessary to ask questions like these? Groups of men have fought savagely to the death because in dying they gave eternal life to the ideas for which they died. They gave their lives to safeguard our republic for you and me.

Do you care? Do you even think about it? When was the last time you took time to learn about the roots of our republic? Do you even believe right now this very minute that the two national parties are walking almost in lockstep pushing our Constitution and our Declaration of Independence over the cliff in order to turn our country into a socialist state.

If you think I've lost my mind, then you're not paying attention, but then you would be in the majority.

Have you ever lost something you considered precious? Do you remember your thoughts as you searched for that special item that meant so much to you? Did you run out and purchase a replacement for your lost treasure? Was it really that easy to replace?

The treasure you are about to lose is your freedom, keep it close to your heart. Do you know what your vote means in the upcoming elections? Don't vote party line.

Know the candidate you would vote for. Challenge them, make them prove beyond a doubt that they support and defend the Constitution of the United States. Remember the thousands who have given their lives so that you might have the privilege of voting.

Vote to save our republic, do not vote party line, vote for the Constitution. It is the law of our land, socialism is not.

Robert Starks

St. Ignatius resident