Chamber: The gathering place

In this week’s article, I am asking for your help with an important issue that is escalating in our beautiful region. To start, I want to express my deep sadness and total outrage over the recent incident in McEuen Park, where youths from the Coeur d'Alene Tribe were verbally harassed. Such behavior is utterly unacceptable, and it is imperative that our community stands together in solidarity to denounce hate in all its forms. 

The Coeur d'Alene Tribe, as the indigenous people of this land, have been exemplary stewards of our beautiful countryside long before the arrival of settlers of European descent. According to the North Idaho College website, “for untold centuries, the people of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe gathered to hunt, fish, play games, dance, feast, and swim in the area where Lake Coeur d'Alene feeds into the Spokane River. Hnya'pqi'nn (pronounced "hin-yap-keehn-un"), or the "gathering place," saw much activity, especially in the summer months, by the Coeur d'Alenes, who were known as a peaceful and diplomatic people.” The site continues to outline history with, “In 1997, North Idaho College and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe joined hands to formulate the Nine Points Agreement, which honors the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and identifies ways to support Native American students and cultural programming on the college campus. The history of Yap-Keehn-Um comes full circle as North Idaho College and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe respect and honor the history of this land. North Idaho College has become not only the educational center of North Idaho but also remains a gathering place for all people.” 

You see, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe has long been an integral part of our community, demonstrating exceptional leadership in many ways, including but not limited to creating jobs, providing education on cultural experiences, protecting our natural resources, and generously supporting education in Idaho, where they have contributed an astounding $30 million. Their partnership, leadership, and generosity have enriched all our lives and strengthened our community in countless ways. 

As the president and CEO of the Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber, representing nearly 1,000 businesses in our community, including visionary member and partner, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, I am writing to share that we stand firmly against all acts of harassment or discrimination. We will do everything in our power to support decisive action against those responsible for such hateful acts. It is vital that we stand up and actively engage to ensure our city is a safe and welcoming gathering place for EVERYONE, regardless of their background, identity, culture, or appearance. 

In fact, our world is an extraordinary tapestry woven from the rich and vibrant threads of humanity’s diversity. Each culture, language, tradition and individual story adds to the collective beauty of our shared existence. The unique perspectives and experiences of people from all walks of life contribute to a world that is as multifaceted as it is magnificent. It is this very diversity that fosters innovation, compassion and resilience, allowing us to learn from one another and grow together. Celebrating and embracing our differences not only enriches our lives but also reinforces the fundamental truth that it is our diversity that makes our world truly beautiful and unique. 

Imagine, for a moment, a world without diversity. It would be like living in a landscape drained of color, where every day feels the same and every encounter lacks the spark of discovery. Without the kaleidoscope of ideas, beliefs, and customs that diversity brings, our capacity for creativity and innovation would wither. Homogeneity would stifle our spirits, leaving us trapped in a bland, uninspiring existence. 

The richness of human interaction would be hollowed out, leading to a more insular and less empathetic society. Without the dance of different cultures, the melodies of diverse languages, and the feast of varied traditions, our world would be missing its most vibrant and joyful elements. The spark of curiosity, the thrill of learning from one another, and the depth of human connection would be lost in a uniform world, making it a less dynamic and inspiring place. 

It is through our differences that we find strength, wisdom and beauty. Diversity is the heartbeat of humanity, and it is essential to a thriving, resilient, and truly magnificent world. Without it, we lose not just the colors of our world, but the very essence of what makes life meaningful and extraordinary. 

Unfortunately, this recent incident against these precious youths of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe is not isolated; there have been far too many occurrences of harassment, serving as a stark wake-up call for all of us. How many times will valued members in our community have to suffer from horrific harassment before we collectively say enough is enough? We have been here before. I remember the '80s-'90s when our community joined together to remove and bankrupt the Aryan Nations. Long overdue, it is imperative that we address today’s problem with the same level of determination and resilience. We must take collective action to put an end to such hideous behavior. Our community cannot thrive if we allow hate to fester. Such hate speech hardens the hearts of our youth and stifles the opportunity to unleash the cultural symphony that should be a point of pride in our heritage. 

Therefore, we call upon every resident to join us in supporting the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and standing up against hate. The chamber, along with concerned elected officials and civic, faith, student and community leaders, is forming a citizens-united coalition dedicated to combating hate and promoting unity within our community. We invite you to be a part of this positive movement to foster kindness, respect, and solidarity. 

Together, we have a responsibility to create a community where at a minimum, everyone feels safe, valued, and respected, and at our best, showcases the beauty and strength of diversity. Let's take a stand and show our unwavering support for the Coeur d'Alene Tribe so that our community can be the gathering place for ALL. 

Please take a moment to call or send a letter of support to our brothers and sisters at the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. If you are interested in joining our Citizens United coalition to help build a comprehensive action plan for our community, please email me at linda@cdachamber.com.