"The cultural tensions in Benewah County, Idaho, are long-standing and problematic. The western portion of the rural county is dominated by the Coeur d’Alene Indian Tribe, where economic opportunities are expanding, thanks largely to the successful tribal casino. But the eastern portion is struggling. Add to this the 2001 U.S. Supreme Court decision that handed control of the lower third of Lake Coeur d’Alene to the tribe and there is plenty of fodder for resentment and, yes, outright bigotry.

But the situation isn’t hopeless. With the recent formation of the Benewah Human Rights Coalition, the founders hope to combat unwarranted fears by patiently and respectfully shining a light on the fact that reality isn’t so scary. The overall goal is to improve cooperation between the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and nontribal members.

Former County Commissioner Christina Crawford and others believe the divide is unnecessarily widened by misinformation and misunderstandings, so they formed the nonpartisan coalition in the hope that accurate information can narrow the differences. The tribe is not involved in the coalition but approves of its formation."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Education can ease irrational fear, bigotry (The Spokesman Review 5/8)

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