Series targets challenges of life in North Idaho

COEUR d'ALENE — A new six-session documentary and discussion series that includes a look at racism, poverty and growth kicks off Thursday, from 6 to 8 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

“Many of us live and work here in North Idaho, but do not know what has shaped and what is shaping the culture and social realities of this region,” said The Rev. Dr. David T. Gortner, rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. “We are creating space for our community to come together to explore multiple topics affecting our region, from both a historical and current perspective."

"Finding Our Place in the Inland Northwest" is intended to create opportunities for discussions about realities, challenges and opportunities that are part of life in the Inland Northwest, according to a press release.

Each session will offer segments of documentaries, a brief presentation by area experts, and then facilitated small-group table discussions "to help us think together and share experiences and insights inspiring opportunities to seek wisdom among neighbors."

Gortner said they hope to "foster an environment for learning and greater understanding through shared stories and experiences."

Dates, topics and locations are as follows:

• Sept. 8 — When Country Becomes City at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 501 E. Wallace. Focuses on what happens when country becomes city — when population influx changes the landscape. This is especially relevant to the Coeur d’Alene region with the rapid influx of people and our prairies region quickly filling with housing tracts, the release said.

• Sept. 22 — Owners and laborers at Human Rights Education Center, 414 Fort Grounds Drive, Coeur d’Alene. History of mining and owner-labor relations.

• Oct. 13 — Paycheck to Paycheck at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Poverty and working-class conditions in the region.

• Oct. 27 — Displaced in One’s Homeland at North Idaho College. Experience of Native American Tribes of the region.

• Nov. 10 — Being Not White in North Idaho at Human Rights Education Institute. Race relations, racism, and efforts against racism in the region.

• Dec. 8 — Who Is My Neighbor? At St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. White supremacy and white nationalism, and their effect on the region.

These free events are open to all. People are encouraged to register, bit.ly/3elHv98.

The series is organized through a partnership between The Human Rights Education Institute, Museum of North Idaho and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, and underwritten with a Project Neighborly grant from the Idaho Community Foundation.

These discussions are made possible through The Langdon Group, a subsidiary of J-U-B Engineers, Inc. which specializes in public involvement, facilitation, and conflict resolution.