BLESSING: Highlight of NIC ceremony

I am a proud member of the North Idaho College graduating class of 2014. Thank you for your coverage of our commencement that took place on Friday, May 16.

In your article, you acknowledged the beautiful student body address given by Benaiah Cheevers, president of NIC’s student body. Benaiah captured the essence of our struggles faced as students that unite us all: struggles that we have overcome to reach our goals. He said it well as he stated our commencement day “celebrates more than just the achievement of a graduation.” Also, you mentioned NIC music instructor Max Mendez, who delightfully delivered our commencement address. Max encouraged us to have the courage to “be community,” to serve others as mentors as we seek out mentors ourselves.

I was, however, disappointed that you failed to mention what I considered the most moving delivery of all: the Native American Blessing of Quanah Matheson, Cultural Director of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. I cannot quote the prayer, which he sang beautifully, because he spoke in his native tongue. But it was not necessary to understand the “words,” as the spirit of love and gratitude to our heavenly father was felt.

Please let us not forget, as a community, the contributions of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe to our educational corridor and that the very land that North Idaho College operates rests on the centuries old Yap-Keehn-Um: the Gathering Place of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. Thank you Quanah Matheson for honoring us with your blessing.

LISA DUFFY-WAY

Coeur d’Alene