To: Tony Incashola, Chariman Salish-Pend d'Oreille Culture Committee Director
Apology to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes from the People of Ravalli County
We extend an apology to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes for the offensive, unacceptable behavior of the Ravalli County Commissioners and the chairman of the Planning Board at the recent meeting concerning the transfer of the Medicine Tree property to a federal trust. The opinions expressed do not represent the citizens of Ravalli County. We strongly support the Confederated Tribes' right to make decisions over their sacred lands.
Why is this important?
A recent meeting was held between the Ravalli County Commissioners and members of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes concerning the tribes' plans to transfer a parcel of sacred land (Medicine Tree site) to the Bureau of Indian Affairs in order to protect the land as a trust within the federal government. At this meeting irrelevant, racist and extremely offensive statements were made by the chair of the Ravalli County Planning Board. The cultural insensitivity and ignorance shown by the Ravalli County Deputy Attorney and members of the County Commissioners demand an apology from all of us in Ravalli County.