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w w w. d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m
on the Isle of Skye in Scotland in the 1990s. After the conference
he attended a Clan McDonald gathering on the mainland. He
related to the author that he showed up in his Native regalia.
Now that would have been a sight to see! He could walk in both
worlds and was at ease in either society.
Above all, Joe was about family—both the direct and extend-
ed "McDonald Clan." He and Sherri would go to all games of all
sports of all their kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. Beyond
that, they would support the various local community teams,
even if they had no direct descendants on the teams. In a very
real way, he considered all the kids on the reservation as his ex-
tended family. This certainly carried over to his interactions with
the SKC students and the pride he felt for every one that crossed
the stage during graduation ceremonies who received their di-
ploma from him.
These are just some of the traits that this author feels were at
the core of Joe McDonald. The leadership, team building, com-
passion and ambition borne of his athletic past and coaching,
the daring and perseverance to reach higher, as demonstrated
during his smokejumper days, his sense of diversity celebrated
through his own Scottish ancestry, his inclusivity manifested
through his support of generations of kids. There is an expres-
sion that one can see further when standing on the shoulders
of a giant. All of us who have been involved in any portion of
Indian education over the past 40 years have been able to see
and dream much further through Joe's many accomplishments
and mentoring. His are moccasins that will not be filled easily by
those who follow.
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