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Coeur d'Alene Tribe convenes first Tribal Veterans Symposium

December 22nd, 2006

WORLEY, Idaho - Native veterans convened on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation for the tribe's first Tribal Veterans Symposium. Two days in early November were devoted to learning about new programs and ways of handling problems, exchanging information between tribes, and simply sitting down together to reminisce about their service in various wars and conflicts. For some, it was another step in the healing process that so many veterans have experienced. Invitations went out to tribes throughout the four-state region of Oregon, Washington, Montana and Idaho. Each state was represented and more than 60 persons registered, with some individuals traveled upwards of 400 miles. Ernie Stensgar, veterans director for the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, moderated much of the program. His hope for the conference was that the exchange of ideas would help everyone and that all would find support for their problems - not only of administrative hurdles to receiving benefits, but also those associated with returning from Korea or Vietnam and the lack of support both on and off the reservations. Idaho Veteran Affairs Regional Director James Vance took the podium to speak about VA benefits and got a laugh when he began with the comment, ''I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'' Someone in the audience responded, ''Same old story!'' Vance, himself a veteran, acknowledged that VA help was often an embarrassment but said, ''We've now grown. We've gotten programs that are very different than what we experienced and are, hopefully, better. We have to continue to adjust. We have to reach out to the younger people, talk to them and listen to them and find ways to do it better.'' Vance spoke about disability benefits, both those connected to injury or illness while in service and those that resulted from exposure to something like Agent Orange that didn't necessary make troops sick at the time. He said that veterans whose ailment is connected to their time in the service, and has caused some impairment, are entitled to a monthly check; they will also be offered life insurance and vocational rehabilitation benefits. Bruce Newton, tribal representative at the Denver Loan Guaranty Processing Center, spoke about requirements for tribal veterans wanting direct home loans. Those who qualify can get loans of up to $417,000 with current interest rates of 6.5 percent. Eligibility requirements state that the applicant must be a Native veteran with a blood quantum of at least 1/16. The home must be placed on trust lands, and the VA must have a memorandum of understanding signed by the tribe. ''Once an MOU is signed it incorporates your tribal resolutions, tribal ordinances, and allows us to be a lender on your land,'' Newton said. ''You have to pay a VA funding fee but it's lower than that of other veterans. It's 1.25 percent, where most other veterans have to pay 2.15 percent.'' Seven reservations in Washington presently have MOUs already signed: two in Idaho, two in Oregon and five in Montana. Everything is done through the VA Loan Center at the Denver Regional Office, which takes care of the eligibility, orders appraisals, sets interest rates and serves as the mortgage company. The phone number is (888) 349-7541. Presenters from various tribes, and informal round-table discussions, provided many suggestions for solving a variety of problems. It was agreed that many sources of help are available and tribal veteran representatives need to keep looking and knocking on doors to find those sources, which might be through Community Action Partnership or county veterans' coalitions. Phil Dan, Swinomish, said something as simple as entering a parade can greatly help Vietnam veterans who still suffer from the rejection and anger they received. He told of being in a parade and receiving a standing ovation the full 2-1/2 miles of the route from a community which now realizes the sacrifices that vets made during that conflict. David Matt spoke about his return from Vietnam. ''I wasn't treated well at all when I returned. What bothered me most was not even being accepted by my own people, like you don't even exist. I heard comments like, 'I wish you'd been killed over there.' I think that's where a lot of pain came from. As a military man, I took an oath to protect those who could not protect themselves. I still see a lot of pain in a lot of Vietnam vets.'' Sharon Red Thunder, Colville/Moses, and Jeannie Louie, Coeur d'Alene, each spoke about the auxiliary and its support of veterans and their own experiences with their husbands after the war. Now they've each been married about 40 years with husbands who have not had alcohol for 25 years but alcohol and abuse were common for several years after returning from combat. The audience was absolutely silent as Louie spoke emotionally about ''the heroes'' and what it was like to be the wife, mother or sister of a veteran. Found here. Sphere: Related Content

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Coeur d'Alene Tribe convenes first Tribal Veterans Symposium

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