Recently, the Idaho Chapter of the American Planning Association held a regional conference. The gathering focused on our area’s continued growth and the potential impacts to our natural resources. Among the topics discussed was Tribal Sovereignty and Planning. This eye-opening discussion covered tribal history, jurisdiction and the role of the tribe in managing growth. If you are new to the area, you should know that the Coeur d’Alene’s are the original inhabitants of this area. Moreover, they maintain sovereignty over thousands of acres of farmland, forest, and wetlands in North Idaho. This area includes a large portion of Lake Coeur d’Alene. They are also a major contributor to our local economy. Consequently, it is important that we work together with them to understand and incorporate their concerns as we develop shared plans for managing growth.It is important for those who are making a home here to understand the Coeur d’Alene’s legacy and continued role in our development and economy. That is why we have invited Caj Matheson. Caj is an enrolled tribal member and the National Resources Director for the Coeur d’Alene Nation. He will give us an overview of the Tribe’s concerns and their strategies for managing growth. You can join him online this Friday to learn how we can work together to protect our shared resources and maintain our distinct quality of life.
The link to join this meeting will be sent by email on Thursday, 11/4. Any problem please email phil at pjwmia@aol.com.
