Bringing two cultures together

“Wednesday’s gathering of Suquamish Tribal members and officials from Olympic College in Poulsbo was just another sign that two different cultures can grow in understanding of one another without trampling on each other’s traditions. Many may think a strong community is one where all the people think the same way. We disagree. Real community is a celebration of everything that makes us different and unique. It is only when we realize this that we can truly appreciate the different gifts each culture has to offer. Although Poulsbo has a rich Scandinavian heritage, North Kitsap’s tribes were the original settlers of the region. They have a unique connection to the land. The water. The air and the animals here. We applaud Olympic College for recognizing this fact and making the Suquamish Tribe an integral part of the blessing of the new campus. The campus which will rise from the dirt and become another unique connection for generations to come. The Suquamish recognize this too. They know that the trees that inhabited the land at the branch campus site were not removed in vain but rather for the benefit of both peoples. Celebrating a common goal while honoring the things that make us diverse is what living in America is all about. The melting pot theory has its limits. We can all see that and recognize that these limits are in place so that each culture remains true to its history, traditions and ideas. “