Columns

In 1990 President George H.W. Bush signed a resolution designating November as National American Indian Heritage Month. November then is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions and histories and to acknowledge the significant contributions of Indigenous people. I have been blessed to have known many people from various cultures during my seven decades on planet Earth. This past month reminded me how much I have learned from them, especially from my Native American friends.

I know that Bemidji isn’t perfect, and I completely understand why this town isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But I think it’s important for those of us who live here to embrace all the great things Bemidji has to offer.

"The inner peace that Jesus promised the faithful pulled us away from our fears of scarcity, a root motivator initiating our domination instinct over others, and helped us to realize that our neighbors were actually part of the same great big body of believers."