Valley Views

Phone connections

If the fire alarm went off in your home or workplace and you had to evacuate quickly, what would you grab on your way out?

Besides pets, spouses, chapstick and an extra change of underwear, I’m guessing most of us could agree on one item: our phones.

Our phones have become an extension of us. We wouldn’t consider leaving home without them.

I didn’t see it coming - this reliance I have (we have) on our phones. They’re our communication link to the outside world, but that’s only the beginning. They are calendars, calculators and contacts. Anyone remember the days when we actually memorized the phone numbers of friends and family? I don’t know anyone’s phone number anymore. Even my own. I’ve got myself on speed dial.

Our phones are cameras. They record video. They are games and memes. They are FaceTime and Facebook, TikTok and alarm clocks. They track your health and your wealth. They are apps, maps and Snaps. They are banking, bill pay and better than cash. They are shopping and free shipping. They are movies and streaming. They are the weather.

My son told me the other day that he converted his weather icon into a widget so it is sized bigger than the other apps on his phone in order to allow him easier access to knowledge about the weather each day. I had to laugh. What about just looking outside? He didn’t have much of an answer to that.

It’s the world we live in, isn’t it? We find it checking the weather on our phone screen easier than looking out the screen door.

My phone helps me meditate and create my art. It teaches me how to complete home improvement projects and has even helped with the purchase of a used car.

We spend a lot on our phones, and I’ve been known to complain about that. But they take the place of so many other appliances and gadgets that we used to have as uni-taskers. Regular folks - not professionals - used to spend hundreds or even thousands on cameras and video cameras. Long distance phone calling used to be an expensive thing.

Our phones are the ultimate multitaskers.

If I didn’t know better, I might say my phone is my best friend. If you could have an inanimate object as a best friend. But maybe phones aren’t inanimate…

Consider Siri.

I know I do. I ask her questions all the time. She tells me where to go and what to do. Even if she doesn’t know the answer to my question, she’ll be up front and honest about it.

If she is tired, or low on battery life she’ll always do her best to respond. As a friend. I talk to her regularly, and she gets back to me at record speed. You can always count on a good friend to respond. I like that about Siri.

So, yeah, if the fire alarm went off in the wee hours of the morning and I was jarred from a peaceful sleep, I’d grab my phone, because Siri’s always been good to me. And I wouldn’t want to leave her in the lurch, or worse yet, in danger of going up in smoke.

Plus if I got lost during

Slices of Life Jill Pertler Syndicated columnist

It’s time to bring Big Medicine home

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) held their Bison Range Restoration Celebration May 20-22, 2022, which was a monumental day that represented the righting of a terrible time in our U.S. history by restoring and honoring a broken treaty and returning the land and bison back to the CSKT. This was a day of healing, but it also represented the continued need for healing with all of our Montana tribes, and the need to restore and honor many of the broken promises once made. And even though this special day celebrated a major piece that was missing for the Salish, Kootenai, and Pend d’Oreille people, there still remains a huge void with Big Medicine missing and sitting at the Montana Historical Society in Helena, Montana.

Big Medicine was born in 1933 and lived at the National Bison Range on the Flathead Indian Reservation and was a true white bison, not an albino bison, who lived to age 26. He was a one in a million birth and a physical representation of the bison herd’s spiritual significance to the Salish, Kootenai, and Pend d’Oreille people as he was considered a special gift from the creator and represented the centralizing of the spiritual power of the buffalo. His birth came at a time where Indian people were reeling from the horrific U.S. removal and assimilation policy eras and still suffering from the impacts of the great depression. Big Medicine gave people hope and brought forth much needed healing.

It is only fitting to now bring this healing full circle by bringing Big Medicine back to his people, his herd, and to his home. CSKT members had the vision to bring bison across the divide to help save them from extinction, the ancestors to which Big Medicine

Valley Views Members of the Montana American Indian Caucus exit, she might be able to help me navigate a way out.

Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright and author. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.

LETTER POLICY

Letters to the editor are welcome. The content is the opinion of the letter writer and not the newspaper. The decision to publish letters is made by the editor.

Letters must be 350 words or less. A writer will only be published twice per month.

Letters may be edited for content or length, or may not be published if considered libelous, in poor taste, spiteful, self-promotional or of limited interest to the general readership. Space limitations also dictate when or if letters are published.

Letters must be signed by the author and name, address and phone number must be included – phone number is for verification purposes only. Letters from organizations must include the name of at least one author.

Please limit “thank you” letters to four people/organizations or less. Deadline is 5 p.m. Friday to publish the following week.

Opinions expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the newspaper.

from page 10 letters was born. Bison have given our native people life, and they are intertwined in our DNA. We understand the importance of bison which have a special significance with all of our Montana tribes.

Pend d’Oreille Tribal Elder, Steven Small Salmon, put it bluntly in his interview with KPAX where he recalled seeing Big Medicine as a child. He said, “[T]hey said he’s in Helena now. And that kind of made me mad. Today for 20 years I’ve been asking for them to bring it back here. I’d say, hey, we need The White Buffalo back here.” The Montana Historical Society and the State of Montana now have a unique opportunity to facilitate another important round of healing by returning Big Medicine home.

Signed on the behalf of the following members of the Montana American Indian Caucus:

Sen. Shane A. Morigeau

Sen. Susan Webber

Sen. Jason Small

Sen. Mike Fox

Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy

Rep. Frank Smith

Rep. Tyson Running Wolf

Rep. Sharon Stewart Peregoy

Rep. Marvin Weatherwax

Rep. Donavon Hawk

Rep. Rynalea Whiteman Pena vj

Congratulations

Editor,

Pappy Maverick, it is said, said “You can fool all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time.” Congratulations to Zinke for proving that true. Lest we not forget the other corollary “Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me,” come the next election.

Rich Bell Polson

PHS class says thanks

Editor,

Polson High School graduating seniors want to sincerely thank the community members, local businesses, and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes for the donations this year allowing the parents to throw a celebratory gathering following graduation. The event was an alcohol-free and drugfree event to celebrate the students’ graduation and successes in a safe environment. It was a night full of activities, food, and music. Over $12,000 in cash and in-kind donations was raised this year. The cash and prizes were aimed at helping students transition to independent living and assist with educational needs. The prizes included refrigerators, microwaves, computers, bedding, towels, dishes, paddle boards, bicycles, stereos, earphones, gift cards, and clothing. A special thanks to Dennis and Lucy McCrumb who allowed the class use of their beautiful event center, The Barn on Finley Point, for the party. Youth in this community are incredibly lucky. Thanks again!

Class of 2022 Polson

Concern for energy

Editor,

A Bitcoin Mining company is planning to build a new 50-megawatt data center in Polson and Energy Keepers (a CSKT corporation) is contracting to supply hydropower from the Salish-Kootenai Dam (formerly Kerr Dam). This huge operation will use 25% of the power that the dam generates, or the same amount of power to supply over 35,000 homes. Let that sink in.

It will also generate noise that sounds like a huge plane taking off 24/7. Ask the Missoula County Commissioners about their negative experience with a Bitcoin mining company that set up shop in Bonner.

This company will produce no products or provide any services. The County Commissioners, Polson City Manager, and Mission Valley Power were not even consulted about this company moving in. They all read about it in the papers like myself. This is pathetic. Tester, Daines, Gianforte and the CSKT were all in on it, but failed to even give anyone a heads up on what they were working on. Why the secrecy?

Mission Valley Power gets part of their power from the dam via one-year contracts. With this new energy hog consuming 25% of the dam’s output, what will that mean to our power rates skyrocketing because MVP may have to go elsewhere for that power? Evidently, Energy Keepers is more concerned about supplying power to a huge out of state corporation than the citizens of Lake County.

Right now, our country is hurting for electric power because of the closing of coal powered plants, electric cars needing power, more homes being built, etc. They are already warning of rolling power outages for parts of the country over the next years, yet the power from our local dam will be used for a company that produces nothing of worth to anyone in the state of Montana, except a few jobs. It’s not worth the cost of throwing all that power down a black hole.

I hope someone takes this on and organizes a huge opposition to this pathetic waste of hydro power.

John Meinders St. Ignatius

Raise awareness

Editor,

There is an open-cut gravel mine and asphalt plant proposed in Arlee across the road from the Garden of

see page 12

Now Hiring!

Apply on line or ask for an application! Positions available: Line cooks, Expo’s, Dishwashers Join the team

from page 11

1000 Buddhas. This is near my home, and my neighbors and I have many concerns around the mine, including noise, dust, traffic, etc. But our water supply and quality is of the utmost concern. The permit for these “High and Dry” gravel pits do not ensure that the groundwater will be protected. Where we live the water table is very shallow, and many rely on that water not only for our homes, but also our livelihoods, as we are a community of small farms and ranches. We are practically voiceless with this matter, as recent legislation has made it difficult for landowners to express their concerns around these mines. We are writing to you in hopes that more people will be made aware of this issue and how it could impact rural Montana Communities.

Hannah Talbott Arlee

Defend the right to privacy

Editor,

We in Montana are very fortunate to have a state constitution that protects, among other things, the Right to Privacy; the Right to a Clean and Healthful Environment; and the Right to Know (what our government is doing and how it functions). Ours is one of the least amended constitutions in the U.S. - perhaps because it was carefully written to meet most of our needs as citizens.

Our Right to Privacy in particular protects many freedoms. As Louis Brandeis wrote, “the right to be let alone is the most comprehensive of rights and the right most valued by civilized men.” It is not directly stated in the U.S. Constitution, but in the Montana Constitution, I am proud to say, it is.

Thoughtful members of both parties protect this right.

We would expect Republicans, who talk a lot about freedom, to defend the right to privacy with all they have. However, their legislative record has not generally supported individual freedom in recent years. In fact, some of our Republican state legislators would like to rescind this fundamental right to privacy. Rep. Derek Skees, R-Kalispell, has called our constitution a “socialist rag” that should be replaced.

The Republicans are only two seats away from a supermajority, which would give them the power to implement their policies with little debate, as well as to submit constitutional amendments, and the constitution itself, to the public, as referendums.

Our first defense is to elect a balanced legislature of Republicans and Democrats. Should that fail, we will need to be ready to take this very seriously, to think the issues through, and to make ourselves immune to partisan marketing.

Gail Trenfield

St. Ignatius

vj

More field days to be scheduled this summer and fall

News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks

HELENA — An online education course is now available for people looking to get into trapping. The mandatory course is free and can be accessed on Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website. The education program will include online course work and a mandatory field day where new trappers can learn from experienced trappers about trapping ethics, humane techniques, avoidance of non-target species, fur management, and safety. This course also includes the mandatory wolf trapper certification for anyone looking to also trap wolves.

Two field days are already scheduled for July:

July 9, Missoula, FWP Office, 3201 Spurgin Road, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

July 16, Helena, Montana WILD, 2668 Broadwater Avenue, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

More field days will be scheduled and advertised in the coming weeks.

During the 2021 legislative session, Senate Bill 60 passed, which requires trapper education for all trappers who have not been a licensed trapper for at least three previous seasons.

Trappers who have been licensed trappers for three previous seasons will be asked to list that experience when purchasing a license. All other trappers age 12 and older will need to take the trapper education course before purchasing a license. Wolf trappers who have taken the wolf trapper education course, but haven’t been a licensed trapper for three years, will need to complete the trapper education course to be able to trap wolves in 2022 and beyond.

For people who are interested in going through the course curriculum in hard-copy format, please call or email Wayde Cooperider, 406-4449947 or email: wacooperider@ mt.gov.

For more information, on upcoming field days, please go to: https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/ education/trapping.

Public comment sought on OHV grant proposals

News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks

HELENA — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on proposed 2022 Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) grant proposals. Public comments will be accepted through Friday June 24, at 5 p.m.

The OHV program received 11 grant requests and proposes to award $418,381. The program receives funding through OHV/motorbike registrations, gas tax and the Summer Motorized Trail Pass revenues. Montana’s Off-Highway Vehicle Program supports projects such as trail maintenance, signs, trail stewards, ethics education, noxious weed control, safety and mapping efforts. Grant awards are allocated by FWP with recommendations from the citizen-based Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Committee (OHVAC).

The public is invited to comment on the funding requests. To submit comments online and see a summary list of the 2022 OHV grant application funding requests, visit: https://fwp.mt.gov/ aboutfwp/grant-programs/off-highway-vehicle

The public may also send comments to: Montana FWP, Attn: Seth McArthur, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.

Full grant applications are available by request in the Parks and Outdoor Recreation Division office at FWP headquarters located at 1420 E. 6th Avenue in Helena, Montana 59620.

Honor Roll for Arlee High School - Quarter 4

Straight A’s:

Grade 12 - Kiya Ironshell. Grade 11 - Jerny Crawford, Meghan Upton. Grade 10 - Kendall O’Neill. Grade 9 - Dylan Lovejoy, Bridger Smith.

High Honor Roll - 3.7 & Above:

Seniors - Noel Johnson

Juniors - Rheid Crawford, Brianna Kellmer

Freshmen - Kaiden Ostby, Brooke Tanner

Honor Roll - 3.3-3.69:

Seniors - McKirah Fisher, RJ Knoll, Ryann Shourds, Levi Sween.

Juniors - Princess Bolen, Patience Bunce, Saryn Coates, Charley Crawford, Xaria Jacobson, Raven Parson, Shyla Schlieker.

Sophomores - Kinika Bartell, Paley Espinoza, Garrison Hinther, Adalyn Jacobson, Drew Knoll, Starr Mahseelah, Fancee Old Person, Dallas Swab.

Freshmen - Tai-Lee Davidson’Ransom, Dallas Ellison, River Gray, Saisha North Piegan, Shane Russell, Katrina Sanchez, Brody Smith, Alonah Warrior.

Perfect Attendance - Entire School Year:

Kendall O’Neill

Perfect Attendance - Quarter 4

Kinika Bartell, Jerny Crawford, Kendall O’Neill, Savian Sirucek.

St. Ignatius High Honor Roll

9th Grade

4.0 – McKensey Burke, Amelia Cronk, Harlon Leishman, Kason Page, Sawyer Pule, 3.5 - 3.99 – Frederick Decker,Evelyn Ferencz, Isabell Grant, Madisyn Hanken, Jack Keast, Abbie Orr, Lola Schock, Isaac Umphrey 3.0 - 3.49 – Toni Hadley-Houle, Elexa Monroy, Cameron Oliver

10th Grade

4.0 – Sackett Andres, Heaven Diaz Morigeau, Izabel Evans, Ameah Hunt, 3.5 - 3.99 – Brianna Dillard, Madyson Esslinger, Rowan McElderry, Keirston Molloy, Keithetta Quequesah, Ernastine Tapia Torosian, Jordann Underwood 3.0 - 3.49 – Lita Bourdon, Brody Brown, Paisely Couture, Kile Gowen, Bayleigh Jones, Codiak Killorn, Sheldon McLeod, Emily Morigeau, Alexis Morin, Jasmine Simmons, Jak Starkel,

11th Grade

4.0 – Elaina Keast, Cassidy Orr, Gabriel Smith 3.5-3.99 – Chance Bockman, Natalie Helser, Michelle Jury, Kellen McClure, Kooper Page, Leo Pierce, Canyon Sargent, Kariah Thomas, Bryce Umphrey 3.0-3.49 – Tre Heath-Lafrombois, Cedar Hunt, Zoran LaFrombois, Andrew Rush,

12th Grade

4.0 – Matthew Broughton, Emily Hawkins, 3.5-3.99 – Kayden Carter, Allyson Umphrey 3.0-3.49 – Charles Adams, Cheyenne Alanis-Taylor, Mady Currie, Alyssia Dillard, Jazmin Druffel, Deago Hostetler, William Long, Domminick Paulsen, Shelby Tryon, Michael Wheeler

St. Ignatius Middle School Honor Roll

6th grade

4.0 – Aiden Courville, Kiran Thomas, 3.5-3.99 – Gunner Courville, Revelin Hammond, Whisper Jungers, Adley Larson, William Morigeau, Tristan Sheridan, Aiden Umphrey, 3.0-3.49 – Abraham Bossy, Robert Oliver, Aryanna Roberts, Don Joseph Stops, Curtis Wood

7th Grade

4.0 – Anna Cronk, Madison Incashola 3.5-3.99 – David Broughton, Kieran Incashola, Dylan Jungers, Jozlynn Stenberg, Nashine Stevens, 3.0-3.49 – Sierra Blood, Ava Clark, Misty Galarneau, Kaleb Gowen, Sterling Jensen, Jason Leishman, Eligio Sanchez, Van Starkel, Lyla Wanberg

8th Grade

4.0 – Arianna Robine, Leslia Stops, 3.5-3.99 – Montana Alanis-Taylor, Jayson Brown, Sierra Girsch, Jake Helser, Lex LaFrombois, Brooklyn McClure, Deanna McNutt, Kitra Thomas, Cora Matt 3.0-3.49 – Iris Arlint, Damian Armijo, Wyatt Branson, Maia Christopher, Aliya Fyant, Jacob Piedalue, Krugger Pierce

Meet. . . Berrin

This is Berrin. She is 14 weeks old. She is a Husky Cross. She is a very sweet, active girl who loves all the attention she can get!

contact Mission Valley Animal Shelter Call 883-5312

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Berrin

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