BEFORE BEAR ENTERED Eureka High School, he registered with the principal, Mr.
Poser.
He didn't get a warm and fuzzy feeling from that initial meeting.
The principal made him feel as if he were trespassing.
It was an odd sensation since Bear was aware that Eureka Gulch was located on the original Colville Reservation, but that northern half of the government-guaranteed land was opened up to settlers, lumber barons, and gold miners.
The tribal members lost three million acres and several hundred million board-feet of lumber, and although the tribe retained hunting and fishing rights, Bear knew that his elders felt this land had been stolen.
Bear felt that Mr.
Poser's attitude was funny, but not humorous.
After that uncomfortable meeting with Mr.
Poser, the school's football coach stopped Bear in the hall and asked if he was interested in trying out for the team.
Bear was fond of the coach right from the beginning.
Coach Gibson liked Bear as well.
He'd seen the boy perform with great fortitude and fleet-foot over the previous two years as the coach closely scouted all Eureka Junior High home football games, especially the ones against the Archers.
Coach Gibson was straight with Bear right from that first exchange.
The towering, powerful-looking man bent over, scratched his balding head, and leaned in as if to reveal a secret.
He confided, "We haven't been very successful here, and we don't have many upper classmen interested in football, but I'm getting these yahoos whipped into shape and you'll be able to play on a winning team before you graduate.
" Coach Gibson was right-on-the-money.
Both Bear and his old fishing buddy, Billy, turned out, loved the game, and started on defense during their freshman year; but they did suffer through seven losses.
The worst loss for Bear was to Arrow Lakes and his old junior high teammates, a 56-0 drubbing.
Since Bear had close cousins who played for San Poil, Chief Moses, and Sinlahekin, and even some distant relatives on the Usk Bluffs and Spokan Garry teams, those close losses were painful as well.
Nevertheless, throughout high school, Billy and Bear and their classmates continued to become stronger, quicker, more game-savvy, and Coach Gibson saw to it that they greatly improved their football skills.
By their junior year, Bear was the league leading ground gainer, and as quarterback, Billy was leading the state in completions.
College scouts were salivating as they prowled the Tiger sidelines.
Coach Gibson was again correct, they did have great success as they remained undefeated during their senior year - at least until they met the Nisqually Bay Killer Whales for the Washington State 8-Man championship.
But the boys knew they'd done their best, and Coach Gibson reminded them, "You are all winners in my book.
Each and every one of you is memorable! You gave your all at practices and in every second of every game! It was an honor to coach and know every one of you.
" After that season, both Billy and Bear were offered scholarships to play football for Carrol College, Montana State University, Trinity Bible College, and University of Idaho, but they both accepted the opportunity to play for Coach Fox at nearby Eastern Washington University in Cheney.
The boys didn't play their favorite positions, but they considered themselves lucky; with the exception of Coach Fox's summer camps, they were the only Eagles who'd never played 11-Man football.
Bear was honored to play the offensive pulling-guard position, and Billy was thrilled to be weak-side safety.
By the time the two boys received their bachelors' degrees and teaching credentials, they had a plethora of outstanding football experience.
Billy wanted to return to Eureka to replace the retiring history and P.
E.
teacher and coach, Mr.
Gibson.
He got his wish! Billy felt that he had large shoes to fill, but he welcomed the challenge.
And Bear wanted to return to the reservation to lift up the tribal students.
There was an opening at the diminutive San Poil High School for a social studies teacher who could coach football and basketball.
The San Poil School Board had another obligation for the candidate.
They wanted him to take Salish language lessons and teach the basics to the kids in grades 4th through 8th.
There were only seven Salish speakers left on the Colville and neither the tribal council, nor the school directors wanted to see the language and culture die.
Bear knew that all these duties were like a calling for him, his mission in life, and he proudly accepted the opportunity to interview with Able Graffis.
That was Bear's first meeting with the overweight, gruff, but kindly old gentleman.