Nicholas R. Kager

For Coeur d’Alene Tribal Council 2024

Ah qhest his’laqh’laqht. Hiskwist khwe Snine’ eedik’wsm (Owl Returned to You), my English name is Nicholas Kager. My grandfather was Teddy Gaze. My grandmother was Anna Mae Campbell. My father Robert Kager served as our facilities manager for over 20 years.

For the past 7 years, I have served as a Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for our Tribe. Prior to that I was blessed working as a Forestry Technician for our tribe. Before that, I worked environmental cleanup on and near our Reservation. Previously, I operated my construction company Solid Ground Flooring. As a teenager one of my first jobs was at the deli in our casino. I also attend college when life allows. My whole life I have been working in and for this community. I would be blessed and honored to do so until the day I die.

Together, Ailla Wilson and I produced 4 enrolled tribal members. Amaris 15, Dominick 14, Eli (late), and our rainbow baby Rhys 5. They bring me boundless joy! They inspire me to be kind! They make me want to shape the best future possible for them.

I’m a firm believer that more productivity happens when people are happy. My wish is for more inclusion on all events. I wish for more gatherings in our communities. I would like to see culture expanded and made foremost in our workplace and community at large. We need more general membership meetings. People want and need to be heard. WE are our Tribe. Our individual hearts and thoughts matter.  

While I appreciate and utilize institutional knowledge, I believe in term limits. It should always be the goal to educate future generations and help them step into their power. Over time nepotism and cronyism creep in and the whole community suffers.  Consistently rotating our leaders allows for fresh perspectives and honors our former leaders by giving them much deserved rest.

I want transparency and accountability. I want restorative justice. Recent and past events of child abuse both in the home and in our classrooms must not be quieted. I crave reassurance from our leadership that our kids are being cared for. I demand peace for those impacted. Is it not our council’s job to face these problems head on and fight for community justice and affirmation?  

I want to powwow BIG here on our reservation. Let’s build an outdoor ground. More community inclusion means more dancers, more drummers, more artists! We are the most powerful when we are united! Let us return to the land that birthed us, let us come together and form unbreakable bonds of community love.

I cannot and do not wish to make any promises. I dream of a wholesome Indigenous community. A community that moves ever forward in progress, while always uplifting our past. 

My friends and family, if you honor me with your vote. I will honor you with all my love and passion for a better community. I will speak for truth, justice and reconciliation.

lim lemtsh,

Nicholas Kager