Tribe good stewards

I was disappointed in the underlying racism and blatant fear-mongering of Rich Landers’ article on Aug. 27 (“Legislation raises questions …”), regarding the return of Lake Roosevelt waters to the Spokane Tribe. “Will tribal enforcement officers be out flexing their muscles on honest sportsmen?”

Conjures visions of circling the wagons in the middle of the lake. Need Landers be reminded it was we white men who flooded part of the reservation land and their homeland through the building of Grand Coulee Dam from the honest Spokane Tribe? What is so “scary” are the scare tactics used in his article. There was much hoopla when the Coeur d’Alene Tribe received the lower third of Lake Coeur d’Alene and that has not resulted in the tribe “flexing its muscle.” Rather, they have been good stewards of preserving the lake.

He goes on to illustrate an arrest by tribal police in 1994 that was a “sacrifice” for anglers. Perhaps he should consider the sacrifice all tribes have made in losing their land and their culture.

It’s time to return the land to its rightful owners. For it is the Native people who remember to consider the next seven generations in the decisions they make.

Louise Chadez

Spokane