Member-only story
The population in Inchelium is around 466 people — but during the last few weeks of August, it increases slightly — with students from Japan. Each year, since 2007, Judy Cressey of Colville has welcomed between four and 15 Japanese students from Seisen University in Tokyo as part of their global citizenship curriculum. Seisen University has global citizenship programs all around the world, but the one in Inchelium has been the only one in the Americas up until recently.
Twin Lakes Youth Camp in Inchelium hosts a variety of planned educational activities each Fall for the Japanese students — and the students of the Colville Confederated Tribes (CCT) as well. That’s where I caught up with Judy, the host families, the students, and the support team on the last full day of their visit. Interestingly, the Japanese students — from a culture which traditionally doesn’t show public displays of affection — were openly hugging and holding hands with host family members.
The Japanese students come here to learn, but they aren’t the only ones reaping rewards. The Inchelium students who get to experience the visit walk away with memories that will last a lifetime. “Every year you see hearts change,” Denise Seeley, the Inchelium school support teacher, said. When the Japanese students come, they don’t know who has emotional or physical special needs — they treat everyone…
