TRIBE: Good citizens - and neighbors

As I read Mr. Carlson's comments about the Coeur d'Alene Tribe last week in The Press, I wondered how many people really know the Tribe's contributions to many of our communities and people.

Every time you see the blue bus with the mountain murals on the sides, you see Citylink which would never have happened without the Tribe's contributions and leadership. Their partnership with the county, cities and transportation by providing the funding for matching funds make that transportation system possible. I see other cities in our state such as Boise struggling to pay for public transportation and charging a fee for a ride and I think how fortunate we are to be able to partner with the Tribe - a relationship which is unique across the nation.

I also remember the day of the groundbreaking for our new library (serving 1,000 citizens a day) and the check the Tribe handed to us to contribute toward the local fundraising that paid for one half of that building.

And I also had the privilege of attending the grand opening of the new Tribe hotel and spa expansion last fall and hearing the pride in Chief Allan's voice as he talked about what that expansion meant to the future of the Tribe and the jobs that it would generate.

I asked once why the Tribe did not put their name on the buses and was told that it is a part of tribal culture to give back and not boast about it.

Thanks for sharing with us. We appreciate it.

DEANNA GOODLANDER

Coeur d'Alene