History Happy Hour: National Native American Heritage Month

The original name of the Coeur d’Alene tribe was Schitsu’umsh, which means “those who were found here” or “the discovered people.” The French fur traders called the tribe Coeur d’Alene, which means “heart of the awl,” referencing their shrewd trading practices. Since time immemorial the story of the Schitsu’umsh has been told in song and dance. It is spoken in their own language and shared in both celebration and hardship. Today this tribe continues to sing, dance, and tell their story.

Tonight, hear from LoVina Louie as she shares about Coeur d’Alene history.

LoVina Louie is of the Schitsu’umsh (Coeur d’ Alene) Tribe, nselxcin (Okanogan/Colville), and Nimiipuu (Nez Perce). She is a descendant of Chief Morris Antelope of the Schitsu’umsh and Chief Manuel Louie of the Inkaneep Band in Oliver BC Canada.

She is a graduate of the University of Idaho, where she received her Bachelors in Organizational Sciences with an emphasis in Community and Tribal Wellness. She was recently featured on Lifetime Movie Network 50 Women in 50 States and a speaker at the TEDx Coeur d’Alene event.

LoVina is a board member for the Native Wellness Institute, a national trainer and facilitator in youth leadership development, strategic planning, family constellations and community healing and wellness planning. She also has certifications from the Healthy Native Communities Fellowship and Na’ah Illahee Fellowship.

She has worked with youth and adults in wellness and healing for over twenty years throughout North America. LoVina is the visionary behind the newly developed and revolutionary exercise series “Powwow Sweat” and co-directed the American Indian Film Festival and Red Nation Film Festival award winning music video “We Shall Remain.”

As a former Miss Indian World, she travelled to hundreds of tribal communities and this experience expanded her world view and desire to help all Indigenous people. LoVina is a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, friend, and an amazing human being. Her passion and zest for life is infectious.

You can participate in the conversation through the audience Q&A by emailing questions to events@ishs.idaho.gov or submitting them live during the event in the chat bar.

Register early for this free virtual event; space is limited to the first 100 registrants.

Photo Credit: Coeur d’Alene Indians, ID 76-2-52a, Idaho State Archives

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