For decades, I found myself being disappointed in the Los Angeles Times coverage of Chumash Indian issues. Reporters too often slanted their coverage to dismiss the issues of the non-federally recognized Chumash. Typically, these reporters failed to mention that the Santa Barbara and Tejon Chumash were once federally recognized and deserved to have their issues… Continue reading Local Newspapers
Idaho
Buffalo Trail
After Francis Callougah came from the Kalispel reservation in Washington State to speak in Sandpoint in 1990, the Kalispel returned to North Idaho to continue a public dialogue with the residents of Bonner County. I remember in fondness the gatherings they held at the Drift year near Clark Fork to renew and celebrate their historical… Continue reading Buffalo Trail
Ron Therriault
In 1990 Ron Therriaut, former chairman of the Flathead Indian reservation in Montana and a professor at the Salish and Kootenai college, visited Sandpoint to speak on Salish history and culture. He came in support of the Kalispelum Project which invited Kalispel spokespersons to speak on the past and future role of their people in… Continue reading Ron Therriault
Marginalizing the Kalispel
When the Black Lives Matter movement first spread to my hometown in North Idaho, I was sympathetic with the young protesters when they found themselves intimidated by local gun-carrying men. These locals came to their rally to protect them, the gunmen explained to the press, against dangerous outsiders. The rally went off without violence, and… Continue reading Marginalizing the Kalispel