Montana needs an Indigenous People's Day

“Destiny is the scape-goat which we make responsible for all our crimes and follies; a necessity which we set down invincible when we have no wish to strive against it.” Alexander Belfour (1767-1829), Scottish novelist. In 1296 English invaded Scotland, and two wars resulted. Scotland gained their independence, more or less.

It is not remarkable that Belfour wrote the quote above. To my mind, he is writing with the past English occupation.

Let’s consider now the mind of the Indigenous of the New World in relation to the quote above. Could they write the same of white Europeans? In my thoughts this quote applies exactly with the opinions of many Americans, and many Montanans.

My point of this long introduction is to state my support for a Indigenous Day state holiday in Montana. Shane Morigeau (36) who is a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, introduced such a bill in February 2019 in the Montana House where it passed 62 to 35. It didn’t pass in the Senate Committee though.

The potential cost was used as a pretense for its failure, but the quote above is no doubt applicable once again. In 52 days the legislative session is starting which can do the correct thing, of which South Dakota and Idaho have already done.

Six percent of our state might appreciate the respect. We must address our divisions, so amplified this year. And let’s not celebrate a lost, and devious white man.

I sometimes feel alone in my concern for six percent of the state. I have witnessed voter suppression in an adjoining state to its Native American population. We have to heal all divides, if we can manage to do so, we all benefit. We have to make steps, small as they are, together.

Remember that the namesake of this town of over 135 years old is that that of a Sioux woman. We have played high school sports against our Native American neighbors for years. The fabric of the Native American is much more woven into Ekalaka than an Italian on a Spanish ship who thought he was somewhere else.

Erwin Curry

Missoula, MT