Be Gracious Co-Host For Hospitable Event

Community leaders in Post Falls are correct to feel dismayed that the Coeur d’Alene Indian Tribe is thinking about moving its annual Julyamsh powwow. Julyamsh, which completed its successful third year at Greyhound Park this summer, has become one of the nation’s largest Indian powwows, attracting 65,000 visitors or so.

That’s an economic impact of $8.1 million.

But economics alone isn’t the reason Post Falls needs the Coeur d’Alenes. In our rootless society, the powwow ties the modern communities along the Spokane River to the past, to a time when Spokane and Coeur d’Alene Indians competed in games against fur trappers. To a time when Chief Seltice deeded Frederick Post the land that later became the city of Post Falls. Equally important, Julyamsh promotes human rights in a region fighting a racist label by bringing two cultures together in a festive setting.

The Coeur d’Alenes view Julyamsh as a gift to Post Falls to share a tradition, a heritage and a culture. Wise community leaders, such as Kerri Thoreson, director of the Post Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, have accepted that gift and enjoyed it. But others have been slow to roll out the red carpet. Minor squabbles between the Coeur d’Alenes and Post Falls marked the first two years of the event. This year, the tribe was upset when the Greyhound Park charged $7,800 to use the facility and left the infield in poor shape from a motocross race the week before.

The fee is a pittance when compared to the economic boon provided by the powwow. But it’s also a slap in the face. The Coeur d’Alenes lose money by hosting Julyamsh and providing large cash prizes that attract top-notch drummers and dancers from all over the country. Yet, they charge no admittance fee other than a nominal one for parking. Post Falls should work with the Coeur d’Alenes to underwrite expenses and have a presence at the powwow.

On a larger scale, civic leaders in Post Falls - and Coeur d’Alene - should look for ways to promote relations and interaction with the tribe year round. North Idaho College’s move to embrace the tribe that lent its name to the city of Coeur d’Alene provides a good model. The college is actively working to attract American Indian students. The college’s American Indian Awareness Week, which concludes today with the Yap-Keehn-Um powwow, is another part of the aggressive outreach.

When area cities link arms with our region’s native peoples, it says more about human rights than all the slogans we can conjure.