How is life in and around Kamiah? (Boise, Lewiston: homes, movies)

[Southside Shrek]

can anyone give me info about life in and around Kamiah, Idaho? I know Kamiah is a relatively small town with a population a little in excess of 1,000 people.


what kind of jobs (or livelihoods) are available and how is the cost of living?
what are the schools like?
how are the locals to deal and get along with in the area? is it heavily Mormon in that area?

[Brutal Attack]

Originally Posted by Southside Shrek

can anyone give me info about life in and around Kamiah, Idaho? I know Kamiah is a relatively small town with a population a little in excess of 1,000 people.


what kind of jobs (or livelihoods) are available and how is the cost of living?

Hi, Kamiah is a pretty nice town overall. You're correct it is small. As for jobs, well there likely isn't much. Most of the jobs center around the timber industry and agriculture. You can look up the specific job data by going to the US Census website. It's a little outdated but not where Kamiah is concerned, not much has changed there. Most of the other jobs are service related like restraunts and stores, and there is a small casino. I'm pretty certain that outside of logging, most jobs don't pay much more than maybe $12/hr if you're lucky.

Cost of living is obviously pretty low. Idaho does have a state tax however. Kamiah is pretty isolated, with the nearest Wal-Mart an hour away and the nearest hospital at least a half hour away.

what are the schools like?

Not that great in my opinion. Definitely not to par with the rest of the nation. Low teacher pay and the relative isolation of the town probalby contribute to less than great teachers. Also, people in Kamiah are generally loath to increase any kind of taxes, so most school levies generally fail. So you can expect below average school facilities as well. I have been to the high school and it's ok but not that great.

how are the locals to deal and get along with in the area?

If you like rednecks then it's the perfect town for you! Honestly. You're not going to find much in the way of culture, art or a thriving downtown life. A weekend in Kamiah consists of going to one of the 3 bars or staying home and watching movies.

Getting along with the locals depends on your personal beliefs. They don't like hippies, enviromentalists, liberals, or people associated with the government. It may take awhile to be accepted if your not a redneck. I've lived in other small towns like Kamiah and they are pretty xenophobic (fear of outsiders not like them) and insular.

Also, there is quite a faction of Christian identity, anti-governmental whackos that live (or lived) near Kamiah. Ever heard of Bo Gritz? Go here for more info:

http://www.adl.org/learn/ext_us/grit...icked=2&item=5

Also, see "Almost Heaven" land development outside Kamiah

http://www.newswest.com/crossingline/group1.html

Most people don't realize the milita type acitivity that may still take place near the town.

is it heavilyMormon in that area?

No it's not. However, see the above info about supposed "chrisitian identity" groups. There are some quite traditional Christian groups nearby but I hesitate to compare them to Huterites or Mennonites.

Hope this helps.

I'm not trying to trash the town, I enjoy going there. I'm just letting you know everything I could think of.

[Southside Shrek]

Brutal Attack
thanks so much for all that useful info about Kamiah and what exists there. It puts things into better and more realistic perspective which oftentimes government-compiled data is unable to. Again, thanks. You've been very helpful.

reading about Bo Gritz doesn't inspire me to move to Kamiah. I just wonder how many he's actually attracted to his 'Almost Heaven Development.'

[Southside Shrek]

gambling must be a thriving business in that area because the Nez Perce are building a large new one in Lewiston--a sister casino.

[Brutal Attack]

It's not huge but gambling is an unfortunate mainstay on the Reservation lands. I forgot to mention to you about the Nez Perce. There are obviously quite a few in Kamiah and surrouding areas. I personally don't care for most of them. Not being racist but I find many of them arrogant and unfriendly.

I live in Lewiston and the casino is going to be huge. It just angers me that they have every right to build whatever casino's they want, but of course me being caucasion I can't build one!

[Brutal Attack]

Originally Posted by Southside Shrek

reading about Bo Gritz doesn't inspire me to move to Kamiah. I just wonder how many he's actually attracted to his 'Almost Heaven Development.'

These isn't as many as there used to be. I was more just warning you about the general attitude that exists among a few people there.

[cleosmom]

Originally Posted by Brutal Attack

It's not huge but gambling is an unfortunate mainstay on the Reservation lands. I forgot to mention to you about the Nez Perce. There are obviously quite a few in Kamiah and surrouding areas. I personally don't care for most of them. Not being racist but I find many of them arrogant and unfriendly.

I live in Lewiston and the casino is going to be huge. It just angers me that they have every right to build whatever casino's they want, but of course me being caucasion I can't build one!

You can't build one as you're not a Native American who lives on a sovereign nation because the land you were "given" won't grow anything more than the existing lava rock and sagebrush.

I personally don't blame the Native Americans for being able to have some type of income for their Nations.

[Brutal Attack]

Originally Posted by cleosmom

You can't build one as you're not a Native American who lives on a sovereign nation because the land you were "given" won't grow anything more than the existing lava rock and sagebrush.

I personally don't blame the Native Americans for being able to have some type of income for their Nations.

Well it's not quite like that up north here. You guys have the crappy rock and sage not us.

I don't blame anyone I just happen to believe in equal rights and not special treatment for one race of people. You know, that whole "America" thing?

[cleosmom]

Originally Posted by Brutal Attack

Well it's not quite like that up north here. You guys have the crappy rock and sage not us.

I don't blame anyone I just happen to believe in equal rights and not special treatment for one race of people. You know, that whole "America" thing?

Okay, I momentarily forgot that not all of Idaho is sage and lava rock I'm just used to seeing it between here and Boise is all

[Southside Shrek]

Originally Posted by Brutal Attack

It's not huge but gambling is an unfortunate mainstay on the Reservation lands. I forgot to mention to you about the Nez Perce. There are obviously quite a few in Kamiah and surrouding areas. I personally don't care for most of them. Not being racist but I find many of them arrogant and unfriendly.

I live in Lewiston and the casino is going to be huge. It just angers me that they have every right to build whatever casino's they want, but of course me being caucasion I can't build one!

are there any Nez Perce owned and operated pawn shops in Lewiston for tourists to pawn their motor homes, diamond rings, watches and property so they can spend more in the large Nez Perce casinos? If not, they need to start some pawn shops. Possibly a Chief Thumpin'broke pawn shop.

why is it that many of the Nez Perce aren't all that friendly toward caucasian Americans? They also put on the Chief Lookinglass festival in Kamiah during August of every year. I don't have a clue what they do in Lewiston.