Tribal radio valuable tool

Re: “Tribe gets OK for radio station” (Jan. 9): My great-auntie Fran, a Colville tribal member from Chewelah, lived to be over 101, and one of her secrets to her longevity was, “Oatmeal makes horses run fast – so it must be good for me – so I have a bowl every morning.”

It is still difficult to read smoke signals on a windy day, but the drumbeat over a tribal band frequency would be well received. Radio is a huge untapped resource, but you can dig up those valuable roots, boil them down, and spread that menu out into the open air for all to enjoy and learn from.

Tuned into the wisdom of my great-auntie Fran was an honor, and she shared proudly and freely. Out of respect for her and her elders, it was my duty as a student of hers to remember every word.

As Valerie Fast Horse and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe gear up to broadcast their rich cultural history, I hope and pray that the signal about each important season, family values, and making healthier choices can be heard around here. The message would be a much needed break from the strange idea of giving beer to your horses.

James Gordon Perkins

Colville