[Vision2020] Coeur d'Alenes Give Schools More Than $1 Million inChecks

[keely emerinemix]

I did spend much of the morning beaming just like that!  Thanks to the Coeur 
d'Alene Tribe for their warmth, hospitality, and generosity.

keely emerine mix



From: "Tom Hansen" <thansen at moscow.com>
To: <vision2020 at moscow.com>
Subject: [Vision2020] Coeur d'Alenes Give Schools More Than $1 Million 
inChecks
Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2005 07:27:32 -0800

 >From Today's (February 2, 2005) Spokesman Review -

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Coeur d'Alenes give schools more than $1 million in checks
Growing portion of casino profits donated to education over 12 years

Related photo located at:

http://www.tomandrodna.com/images/keely_sr_020205.jpg

By Cynthia Taggart Staff writer
February 2, 2005

WORLEY, Idaho - Some people believe gambling is a vice, but North Idaho's
school officials aren't seeing much wrong with the money sport this week.

Superintendents, principals and teachers were giddy with joy Tuesday as
Ernie Stensgar, chairman of the Coeur d'Alene Tribal Council, handed them a
total of more than $1 million as the tribe's investment in education. The
money represents 5 percent of last year's profits from the Coeur d'Alene
Casino Resort Hotel.

"I hope we have more in the future," Stensgar told the beaming crowd of
educators, many holding envelopes containing checks.

Chances are good there will be more in the future. The tribe has given away
part of the casino profits to education for 12 years, and the amount has
grown steadily. This year was the first the tribe's contribution surpassed
$1 million.

"If we have something, we must share or we'll have nothing," tribal elder
Cliff SiJohn said in a prayer that opened the money distribution ceremony.

Sharing and investing in the youngest generation through education were the
themes of the day. Stensgar proudly pointed to his daughter, Laura Stensgar,
as an example of how the tribe's investment in education is paying off.
Laura Stensgar, a graduate of Eastern Washington University, organized and
emceed the ceremony. Ernie Stensgar made it clear he wants her success
repeated by giving nearly $800,000 to educational programs on the Coeur
d'Alene Reservation.

Casino profits also went to the Association for Sacred Encounters, which
aims to add a $1.8 million visitor's center to the Coeur d'Alene's Old
Mission State Park. The mission would house a traveling exhibit that tells
the history of the Coeur d'Alenes and the mission.

The tribe's money reached as far south as the Lapwai School District, home
to many Nez Perce students. Checks ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 went to
school districts in St. Maries, Avery, Harrison, Moscow, Kellogg, Wallace,
Potlatch, Post Falls, Troy and Coeur d'Alene. Checks of $1,000 each went to
the Plummer City Library and the Tensed-DeSmet Library.

Most recipients showed their appreciation with big smiles and many thanks.
But Luke Penney, a fourth-grade teacher in the Kellogg School District, gave
each tribal council member and Laura Stensgar packages of soap he made from
husk roots. Penney is a Nez Perce Indian and learned to harvest from the
earth while growing up, he said. In the spirit of the day, he said he passes
his skills to the kids in whom the Coeur d'Alene Tribe is investing.

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Take care,

Tom Hansen
Just Another Left Wing Intolerista Liberal Elitista Nutjob Wacko Loose in
the Palouse Doing What Comes Natural


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