Prayer Vigil

Several weeks ago, I participated in a multi-faith prayer vigil in Nakusp, British Columbia dedicated to the health of the Columbia River. During the service, my friend Shelly Boyd offered a prayer in the Colville Salish Language. I also offered a prayer in the Spokane Language. 

The Valley Voice, a local newspaper, reported the vigil and included our photograph (above). I was happy to read that the author also mentioned a dream that I shared during the vigil regarding the return of the salmon. Jan McMurray wrote, "Moses spoke about a dream he had where the salmon came back to the Columbia River. 'I'm hoping to see this in my lifetime,' he said."

To read the whole article, click this link, download the paper, and turn to page 3. On the same page, the Valley Voice also reported a Salish language class in Nakusp held by Shelly and LaRae. 

The vigil also included a pastoral letter written by the Catholic bishops of the Columbia River Watershed. The letter read in part: 

The Columbia Watershed and all creation are entrusted to our loving care. As persons created in the image of God and as stewards of creation (Genesis 1-2), we are challenged to both use and respect created things. The watershed is ultimately God's; human beings are entrusted with responsibility for it, concern for its species and ecology, and regulation of its competitive and complementary uses. The watershed, seen through eyes alive with faith, can be a revelation of God's presence, an occasion of grace and blessing. There are many signs of the presence of God in this book of nature, signs that complement the understandings of God revealed in the pages of the Bible, both the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures.

The full letter may be read here. 

Boats in the Columbia River near Nakusp. 

The waterfront in Naksup. 

Musicians participated in the prayer vigil. 

More musicians...

Members of the community gathered. 

The Columbia River...

Concrete steps lead to the water. 

The mountains tower above the water.

Cougar Shot in Spokane

Spokane, North Idaho News

A cougar was shot and killed by police at my sister's house in north Spokane. The local news report featured my brother-in-law Aaron Armstrong, as can be seen in this video.

A couple months ago, I dreamed about killing a cougar. The circumstances in my dream were totally different than the real-world scenario, but the underlying idea was the same. In my dream, a cougar threatened my family, and I shot it. It is so strange that the dream event and the waking event happened so close to one another.   

Front Page

The Benson brothers are getting all kinds of positive attention for their work on the Maple Street Mural. This morning, I saw their painting on the front page of the Spokesman-Review, and since our school typically subscribes to about 20 or 30 copies per day, their image was scattered onto every table and desk in the building. The image gave me the opportunity to promote their mural to anyone who would listen. I encouraged everyone to drive past 2nd and Maple to see the artwork in person. 

Photo credit: Dan Pelle at the Spokesman-Review.

Les Miserables

Dakota's picture appeared once again in the Spokesman-Review, this time on the cover page when the paper reported Civic Theater's upcoming production of Les Miserables. His photograph reminds me somewhat of "Where's Waldo?" in the sense that you have to enlarge the photograph and search, but he's there. I couldn't be more proud. (Thanks to my sister Michelle for the tip). 

The full article: 

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/sep/15/mister-mis-douglas-webster-set-to-lead-civic/

Technicolor

Edward Dakota is now performing the role of Simeon in Spokane Civic Theater's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Some years ago, he played a minor role in the CYT version of Joseph as Pharaoh's butler, and his current role includes a vocal solo: Those Canaan Days. Our family saw the dress rehearsal a few days ago, and they all did an amazing job. Tickets are still available at the Civic. 

Last Friday, the Spokesman-Review published a short piece about the play that included Dakota's name and photograph. 

...the article.

Fire

A fire last Saturday burned part of Geno's Pizza on North Hamilton, along with the adjacent Sinto Apartments. I just happened to drive by during the height of the blaze and managed to get some pictures of the event. Krem 2 News reported on the official story. 

After a while, a woman stood on the street and started screaming at the people. She said, "Get the hell out of here! This is our home, not a f---ing freak show!" I thought it was a valid point to make, though I certainly understand the impulse for people to be captivated by unusual events. 

Unnamed

The Spokesman-Review published a short article regarding the dedication of the new Chief Spokane Garry monument. The reporter photographed several tribal members as we sang an honor song at the drum.

Oddly, the caption named several of the spectators, but not the drummers. This omission reminds me of a journalistic practice from a different age - a different century when white photographers rarely felt the need to mention the names of Native American subjects. Instead, they wrote captions like, "Indian man riding a horse," or "Indian woman with baby." Many of our ancestors may have posed for one portrait or another, but they were unnamed and forgotten as individuals - valued only for their image.

And just for the record, I don't really care about receiving any personal 'credit,' but I am concerned about reporting practices that make people invisible.