Saturday, January 14, 2023
North Idaho College hosted Coeur d’Alene School District’s 36th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration of Human Rights on Thursday, Jan. 13 at Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center on NIC’s main campus in Coeur d’Alene.
The celebration teaches fifth graders about the life and work of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. The event was put on in partnership with the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe.
Chief Allan, chairman of the Coeur d’Alene tribe, was the featured speaker and focused on how all people are related and should treat one another with kindness, and Coeur d'Alene Tribal dancer Jonathan Nomee performed in full regalia during the event.
Local students read essays and performed songs during the celebration. Coeur d’Alene School District Deputy Superintendent Mike Nelson read an excerpt from King's famous "I have a dream" speech, and Coeur d’Alene School district Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education Patty Morrison offered a land acknowledgment to honor the Coeur d’Alene Tribe noting that the event took place on the land of the Tribe.
“I'm not sure we do that a lot in Kootenai County and I think it's important as we heal the past and continue into a healthy and inclusive community,” Morrison said.
NIC is closed Monday, Jan. 17 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.