CSKT requests the names of tribal members and descendants with military service

PABLO - The Salish, Kootenai, and Pend d'Oreille people have served in the military in defense of the United States since the Nez Perce War of 1877. At present, 51 of our people are currently on active duty in the armed forces in addition to numerous people in the reserves. Many, and most recently, Alexander P. Paul, have served in Iraq.

It seems impossible to adequately recognize the sacrifices of these men and women and the loved ones who await their return. In the coming months, the CSKT will be finalizing the construction of a military service monument at the new Tribal Complex. So far, it is planned to include the 1,153 names on record of past and present service people who are enrolled members and descendants of the Salish, Kootenai, and Pend d'Oreille tribes.

The list of names was created from several sources. The main source is the board outside the Tribal Court/Law Enforcement Building at the old Tribal Complex. That listing, which was compiled by the Veterans Warrior Society in the 1990s, is the basis for the current list that has grown over the past 5 years. The Char-Koosta publishes the list prior to Memorial Day in May and on or near Veterans Day in November.

"We hope to have the most complete list of all past and present military service people," says James Steele, Jr., Tribal Chairman. "The design and construction of the monument has been an ongoing project and it was one of the main themes for the new Tribal Complex. It will be a lasting tribute to the men and women who have served their tribes and their country."

In addition to recognition through publishing the names, the Salish-Pend d'Oreille Culture Committee has collected photographs of past and present military veterans. The present collection of 254 photographs is at the Longhouse in St. Ignatius. Sadie Peone, Collections Manager, can be contacted regarding submitting photographs by telephone: (406) 745-4572 or by email at: sadiep@cskt.org.

In recent years, the CSKT has honored living veterans of World War II and the Korean War. The next group to be formally recognized is Vietnam era service people. That event is tentatively scheduled for July 4, 2007, at the annual Arlee 4th of July Celebration.

To submit names to the CSKT's list, please provide full name, branch of service, dates of service, and mailing address (if the person is living) by phone to: Ruth Swaney, Tribal Administration, (406) 675-2700, Ext. 1034 or email her at: ruths@cskt.org. Living persons will receive small gifts of appreciation from the CSKT.