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Dan McDonald has slandered a sovereign nation who has a strong record of reputable and respected business dealings in the region. Listen to Dan’s own words and you will realize he was clearly speaking about the Kalispel Tribe of Indians because the subject being discussed was the proposed smelter. McDonald’s claims of the Tribe taking kickbacks is ironic because the Tribe’s successful and sound business dealings has seen millions of dollars donated to several charitable causes in Spokane and Pend Oreille counties. Google the Kalispel Charitable Fund and see for yourself. They are a small Tribe but employ close to 1,500 people. They continue to grow their business footprint in the region to help their people and all people.

I’ve worked with the Kalispel for more than 25 years on cultural and media projects through the Sandpoint nonprofit, The Idaho Mythweaver, as well as three years as a contractor with the Tribe, hired to write a book manuscript, and to be curator of their visitor center and rest area on Highway 20 north of Cusick. Their legal department reviews every contract with a thoroughness I’d never experienced anywhere else. McDonald isn’t the first person to disparage them, so the Tribe is impeccable in their business dealings.

McDonald should resign his post as a commissioner immediately, but instead he continues to deny what he had said, and makes unsubstantiated claims of an edited recording. It will be up to voters, like me, to elect Steve Lockwood to replace him.

JANE FRITZ

Sandpoint