Rights fight goes on

COEUR d’ALENE — The Coeur d’Alene Tribe is used to being the one helping others.

Wednesday, the tribe received $10,000 from the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations, and Tribe Chairman Chief Allan was delighted to accept the funds for a three-year program so youths can study their homeland and history.

“It's about kindness,” he said. “Just a little bit of kindness. You know, we lost that in our world today. All we're saying is, treat people with respect.”

“Remember that we're all related,” he continued, “no matter what color you are. In this day and age of what's going on in this world, it hurts us, it hurts our hearts. And we don't have to be that way.”

The KCTFHR presented $33,960 in grants to six groups during a presentation highlighting its new initiative to support rights.

Tony Stewart, task force secretary, said they chose organizations for the first round of grants that promote human rights, civil dialogue and the principles of democracy.

He said longtime benefactor and philanthropist Greg Carr’s donations made the new initiative possible.

“We recognize the need for such support of these groups in a time when we see growing divisive angry words and deeds in our country,” Stewart said.

He said the task force is seeing "aggressive attacks" on democratic concepts, such as social justice and diversity.

Stewart said people must stand up against racism and make it clear they will not be silenced.

He questioned what would have happened some 40 years ago when the Aryan Nations settled in at Hayden Lake. It took decades, but the white supremacist group was finally driven out.

“We're all the same. We're human beings. And we should be treating one another with dignity,” Stewart said.

Funds also went to:

Gonzaga University Center for Hate Studies, $7,960; Montana Human Rights Network, Spokane County Human Rights Task Force, Bonner County Human Right Task Force and Boundary County Human Right Task Force, $4,000 each.

Funds will support different areas including research, websites, advertisements, community meetings and yard signs, all with a goal to promote human rights and “revitalize support for local democratic principles.”

Linda Navarre, co-president of the Bonner County task force, praised the KCTFHR for giving them the strength to stand against Nazis.

“You have been an amazing example to us,” she said.

“These grants that you're offering to us will extend the level of human rights activity in our region for years to come,” Navarre said. "And once again, we are very indebted to you."

Christie Wood, task force president, thanked the groups for their creativity and dedication.

“We’re going to watch and monitor some of your projects, and then maybe we'll copy you,” she said. “It would be a great thing for Kootenai County."

Allan said the groups are doing important work.

“As a tribe, and as well as people of color, we can be the strongest advocates out there,” he said. “We all need to be the advocates. If we want change, we've got to be that change to see that happen.”