Holy ground, sacred place

CATALDO - Cindy Jordan and grandson Kamiakin Simpson sat quietly together on Saturday, watching a video, shortly after the doors to the Sacred Encounters exhibit opened.

The Coeur d'Alene Tribe member had just taken in the many pictures, words, displays and artifacts that told a story of two worlds coming together - that of her people, and Jesuit priests.

"I really like seeing the history come to life," she said.

For Jordan, it brought back memories of growing up in the area.

"That's my grandma right there," she said, pointing to a portrait on the wall of Justine Vincent.

Known as "Sweetheart of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe," Vincent passed away in 1992 at the age of 87.

Jordan said she and her grandmother would come to the Sacred Heart Mission, built between 1850 and 1853 by Jesuit priests working with the Coeur d'Alene Tribe.

"She cared about tradition," Jordan said.

About 200 people took the opportunity to be among the first to learn more about that tradition when they attended the grand opening of the 5,000-square-foot, climate-controlled exhibit, "Sacred Encounters: Father De Smet and the Indians of the Rocky Mountain West" at Old Mission State Park.

A 90-minute ceremony marked by prayer, song, drums, dignitaries, speeches and plenty of thank yous preceded the ribbon cutting inside the visitor's center.

"The Mission has been an important part of spiritual life for the Coeur d'Alene Tribe for many generations," said Ernie Stensgar, vice chairman of the Coeur d'Alene Tribal Council and Honorary Board Member for the Association of Sacred Encounters. "We come today to honor the unique and special history that this place holds, and to celebrate the unveiling of such a rich and educational exhibit that we hope will empower and enlighten for many years to come."

The traveling exhibit was created in the 1990s by curator Jacqueline Peterson, then professor of history at Washington State University. Under the auspices of the Tribe, the story now has a permanent home.

It took years, dedication, cooperation and commitment to bring it here, organizers said. And it took money. The project cost $3.26 million, with major funding coming from the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, The Harry F. Magnuson Family Foundation, and others.

The effort paid off.

"What you have here is a professional museum," said Lisa Watt, project manager.

Sacred Encounters features nine scenes, some highlighted by video and music, as guests walk from one section to the next. There are videotaped interviews with tribal elders, photographs and murals. There is a historic letter by De Smet, a Bible and polished chalices. There is Many items, including 110-year-old dolls made by the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, are protected behind glass cases. There is an altar and a recreation of the Sacred Heart Mission on Christmas Eve, 1842.

The exhibit shares stories of the relationship between the Tribe and the Jesuit priests led by Father Pierre-Jean De Smet, who traveled to the tribal homeland in 1842.

The mission served many purposes. It was a place of worship for the Coeur d'Alene people; a hospitality and supply station for settlers, miners and military personnel; a working farm; and a disembarkation point for boats heading up the Coeur d'Alene River carrying miners and later railroad and pipeline workers.

Father Thomas Connolly spoke of two cultures, two worlds with different religious beliefs, merging at the site. At times, it was beautiful. At others times, it was difficult and cruel. Yet, people learned to live together, and they survived.

"It's really a sacred encounter," he said.

While the Coeur d'Alene Tribe owns the park, the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation operates and staffs it.

Nancy Merrill, IDPR director, said it's a special place filled with history that now, thanks to the exhibit, can easily be passed down.

"We promise we will take care of it," she said.

Sacred Encounters drew praise Saturday from its first visitors.

Shayla Abernathy of Coeur d'Alene pushed son Devin in a stroller as they walked through the many rooms with dimmed lighting watched by attendants.

"I haven't been out here since fourth grade, so we thought we'd bring the kids and come out and share it with them," she said.

"We think it's wonderful," she added.

George Torpey said he's been waiting a long time for Sacred Encounters to open. He liked what he saw.

"Of course," he said. "It's my ancestors."