How many acres is the Spokane Indian Reservation?
The reservation was created in 1881 by U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes through Executive Order. Its size–157,376 acres–is a fraction of the roughly 3 million acres Spokane ancestors called home prior to westward expansion of Euroamerican settlers.
Where did the Spokane Indian tribe live?
Spokane Tribe of Indians. The Spokane Tribe of Indians are of the Interior Salish Group, which has inhabited northeast Washington, northern Idaho and western Montana for many centuries. The Spokane Tribe of Indians and the Spokane Tribal Headquarters is now located in Wellpinit, Washington.
When did the upper and Middle Spokanes move to Spokane?
In 1887, the Upper and Middle Spokanes signed an Agreement to move to the Coeur d’Alene, Jocko (Flathead) or Colville reservations; ultimately some did move to the Spokane reservation.
Why is the Spokane River so important to the Spokane tribe?
For the Spokane Tribe of Indians, the river has been “a pathway of life for many, many generations,” according to tribal publications. Members of the tribe have relied on the river for nourishment, medicinal, and spiritual purposes. Spokane Falls was a place for tribal members to gather with family and friends.
When and why was the Spokane reservation created?
The reservation was created in 1881 by U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes through Executive Order. Its size–157,376 acres–is a fraction of the roughly 3 million acres Spokane ancestors called home prior to westward expansion of Euroamerican settlers.
How much land is the Spokane Indian Reservation on today?
160,000 square acresThe Spokane Tribe of Indians Promise Zone (STIPZ) includes the Spokane Indian Reservation (160,000 square acres) and all lands held in trust by the federal government on behalf of the Spokane Tribe, which include 180 square acres near Chewelah, WA, and another 145 square acres in Airway Heights, WA.
How much land did the Spokane tribe originally have?
approximately 3 million acresThe Spokane Tribe of Indians ancestors inhabited much of northeastern Washington which consisted of approximately 3 million acres. At times they extended their hunting, fishing, and gathering grounds into Idaho and Montana.
Why were Spokane Indian reservations set up in America?
The main goals of Indian reservations were to bring Native Americans under U.S. government control, minimize conflict between Indians and settlers and encourage Native Americans to take on the ways of the white man.
What language does Spokane Tribe speak?
Interior Salish languageSalish-Spokane-Kalispel language is an Interior Salish language spoken in three dialects in Northern America, particularly in the northwestern areas of the United States.
What does the name Spokane mean?
Children of the SunSpokane's first residents were Native American. From the Spokanes, we get our name, which means “Children of the Sun.” Spokane became an incorporated City on Nov. 29, 1881, encompassing 1.56 square miles.
What food did the Spokane Tribe eat?
What food did the Spokane tribe eat? The food of the Spokane tribe included salmon and trout and a variety of meats from the animals and birds they hunted. They supplemented their protein diet with roots, seeds, nuts and fruits.
How much money does the Spokane Tribe make?
The Spokane Tribe will receive $6 million a year for 10 years, and $8 million a year after that. The money will come from revenues of the Bonneville Power Administration, which sells electricity generated by Grand Coulee and other federal dams in the Northwest.
What is the Spokane Tribe doing now?
The Spokane Tribe now lives on 159,000 acres in Wellpinit, Washington, and continues to contribute to the larger community of Spokane, Washington.
What percent of U.S. land is Indian reservation?
approximately 2.3%The total area of all reservations is 56,200,000 acres (22,700,000 ha; 87,800 sq mi; 227,000 km2), approximately 2.3% of the total area of the United States and about the size of the state of Idaho.
Can you buy land on an Indian reservation?
Indians can't own land, so they can't build equity. Reservation land is held “in trust” for Indians by the federal government. The goal of this policy was originally to keep Indians contained to certain lands.
Do federal laws apply on Indian reservations?
As a general rule, state laws do not apply to Indians in Indian country. Instead, tribal and federal laws apply.
Which state has the most reservation land?
In 1851, Congress passed the Indian Appropriations Act which created Native American Indian reservations. Today, reservations can be found in 25 states. The state with the most reservations is California with 121 reservations. Some reservations such as the Navajo reservation span more than one state.
What US city has the largest Native American population?
Top 5 Cities With The Most Native AmericansNumber 5: Anchorage, Alaska.Number 4: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.Number 3: Phoenix, Arizona.Number 2: Los Angeles, California.Number 1: New York, New York.
What is the population of the Spokane Indian Reservation?
approximately 2,900 enrolledToday the Spokane Tribe of Indians primary government operations are located in Wellpinit Washington with a citizen population of approximately 2,900 enrolled members.
Which state has the largest Native American population?
Alaska has the highest share of the American Indian and Alaska Native population at 22%, followed by Oklahoma with 16% and New Mexico with 12%. Twenty states saw their Native American populations more than double since 2010, but Oklahoma saw the biggest growth, with a 30% increase since the last census.
When did Spokane become a state?
In 1951, the Spokane Tribe officially became one of 574 recognized tribal governments within the United States following the passage of their formal Constitution that governs them today.
When did Spokane defend their country?
In 1858, with no treaty established or adequate communications from the Federal Government, the Spokane’s defended their families and country as U.S. soldiers marched through their country.
What tribes are in Idaho?
They are one of the Interior Salish speaking tribes, others include: the Coeur d’ Alene, Kalispel, Colville, San Poil, Nespelem, Okanagan, Lakes, the Shuswap of Canada and the Pend Oreille and Salish of the Flathead reservation.
When did Spokane relocate to the Spokane Reservation?
In the latter part of the 19th century, there occurred two major agreements between the Spokane and the federal government: In August 1877, the Lower Spokane agreed to relocate to what would be the Spokane Reservation by November 1.
What was the Spokane Falls tribe?
The Spokane Falls were the tribe's center of trade and fishing. The typical Spokane kinship unit was the nuclear family, plus the father's and mother's nearest relatives. The acceptable, but uncommon practice of polygamy was a potential family feature. The spiritual life of the Spokane was closely interwoven with the land and living things.
What does "spokane" mean?
Spokane means "children of the sun." The Spokane Tribe's reservation, bounded in the south by the Spokane River and in the west by the Columbia River, consists of 154,000 acres in eastern Washington on the Columbia River Plateau. All but 10 percent of the acreage is held in trust by the federal government. The reservation exists in the original area inhabited by the Spokane, which sprawled across three million acres. The Spokane Tribe of Indians' ancestors were the Spokan, a plateau people that shared numerous cultural traits with their neighbors. The Spokanes' original tongue is a member of the Salish language family, and they are often categorized as a Salishan tribe. For unrecorded millennia, the Spokane tribe lived in the area around the Spokane River, leading a seasonal way of life consisting of fishing, hunting and gathering endeavors. The Spokane people shared their territory and language with several other tribes, including the Colville, Flathead, and Kalispel tribes. The Spokane consisted of three bands that lived along the Spokane River. The Spokane Falls were the tribe's center of trade and fishing. The typical Spokane kinship unit was the nuclear family, plus the father's and mother's nearest relatives. The acceptable, but uncommon practice of polygamy was a potential family feature. The spiritual life of the Spokane was closely interwoven with the land and living things. The beliefs of all Plateau Indians held many commonalities with religions of other North American Indians. The Spokane believed in a Great Spirit. There also were such atmospheric spirits as the wind and thunder, and numerous supportive animal spirits that people sought for personal guardians. Firstling rites were celebrated for the first-caught salmon, or the first berries, roots and fruits harvested during the summer season. By the 13th century, the Spokane had developed permanent winter villages typically situated on rivers, especially along rapids and other places where fish were plentiful. Those dwellings were elongated and semi-subterranean. To hunt and gather roots and berries in the summer, they lived in camps on mountain valley meadows. Those shelters were cone-shaped huts covered with mats. From the 13th to 17th centuries, gradual changes to the Spokane culture appear to have arrived from the west. The Plateau peoples became influenced by the rich and intricate Northwest Coast culture of Washington's and Oregon's Pacific coasts. A few of the influences included plank houses, and wood and bone carvings depicting animals. At the turn of the 18th century, other influences on the Spokane came from Plains Indians residing east of the Rockies — the major one being the horse (introduced to the continent by European explorers ). The Spokane probably started using horses in 1730 when they were brought into the Palouse region of present-day eastern Washington. Roman Catholic and Protestant missionaries entered the region to convert the Native Americans and improve their lot. Missionaries usually meant well, but they deliberately sought to extinguish the natives' religion as well as many of their customs. Early in the 19th century, Indian and white fur trappers out of the east came into the northern Columbia Plateau forests. They were friendly with the native people they encountered. They often lived with them, took on their customs, and intermarriage was not uncommon. In 1810, the Spokane commenced major trading with white men. The Northwest Company's Spokane House was established on their lands; it was moved to Fort Colville in 1826. However, smallpox, syphilis, influenza and other diseases, unwittingly introduced by the white man, proved to be disastrous to native peoples, including the Spokane. Entire villages were wiped out. Following the 1849 Gold Rush in California, prospectors looked for gold elsewhere in the West. Gold seekers arrived in Washington territory in the 1850s and '60s. They were frequently unruly, caring little about Indians and their rights. If a white man was killed, U.S. soldiers would get involved — regardless of what he had done. Indian wars in the inland Northwest erupted as a result. Native veterans of the wars were assumed to be murderers and were killed. From 1860 onward, the Spokane shared the fate of numerous other tribes in the Northwest and elsewhere. Land-hungry homesteaders poured into the Plateau region and forced off the original inhabitants. Indians from disparate tribes were concentrated onto reservations, which compromised their tribal identity. The Prophet Dance of the 19th century seems to have been a reaction against the increasing compromise of ancestral culture by the new influences. Natural resources that Native Americans had depended upon were exploited to the point of destruction. Off-reservation burial grounds and ancient villages were often disrupted and destroyed by earthmoving and house construction. The Indian agent (federal reservation supervisor), imposed regulations and restrictions on his native charges. There was an open effort to suppress the Indians' language and culture; for example, they were assigned English names. Indians endured the prejudice of the dominant white society. Alcoholism and other diseases exacted an awful toll. In the latter part of the 19th century, there occurred two major agreements between the Spokane and the federal government: In August 1877, the Lower Spokane agreed to relocate to what would be the Spokane Reservation by November 1. In January 1881, President Hayes formally declared the territory a reservation by executive order. Then in March 1887, the Upper and Middle Spokane agreed to move to the Colville, Flathead or Coeur d'Alene reservation. In 1906, 651 members of the Spokane tribe were allotted 64,750 acres to be divided into individual plots. Following the construction of Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River in central Washington (1939), salmon were prevented from migrating, thus disrupting the Spokane fishery. In addition, the waters behind the dam rose nearly 400 feet, which flooded numerous tribal lands and cultural sites. The tribe struggled for years to win compensation from the federal government, which culminated in H.R. 1753, submitted by U.S. Rep. George R. Nethercutt Jr. and two co-sponsors in April 2003. The bill would
What did the Spokane people do?
The Spokane people shared their territory and language with several other tribes, including the Colville, Flathead, and Kalispel tribes.
What was the name of the house that the Northwest Company moved to?
The Northwest Company's Spokane House was established on their lands; it was moved to Fort Colville in 1826. However, smallpox, syphilis, influenza and other diseases, unwittingly introduced by the white man, proved to be disastrous to native peoples, including the Spokane. Entire villages were wiped out.
What was the first rite in Spokane?
Firstling rites were celebrated for the first-caught salmon, or the first berries, roots and fruits harvested during the summer season. By the 13th century, the Spokane had developed permanent winter villages typically situated on rivers, especially along rapids and other places where fish were plentiful.
What was the result of the Indian wars in the Northwest?
Indian wars in the inland Northwest erupted as a result. Native veterans of the wars were assumed to be murderers and were killed. From 1860 onward, the Spokane shared the fate of numerous other tribes in the Northwest and elsewhere.
Why did the Indians create reservations?
The main goals of Indian reservations were to bring Native Americans under U.S. government control, minimize conflict between Indians and settlers and encourage Native Americans to take on the ways of the white man. But many Native Americans were forced onto reservations with catastrophic results and devastating, long-lasting effects.
What was the Indian reservation system?
Contents. The Indian reservation system established tracts of land called reservations for Native Americans to live on as white settlers took over their land.
How hard was it to live on a reservation?
Daily living on the reservations was hard at best. Not only had tribes lost their native lands, but it was almost impossible to maintain their culture and traditions inside a confined area.
Why did people leave the Indian reservation system?
Many people leave the reservations for urban areas in search of employment and improved living conditions. The Indian reservation system was originally established as a result of the greed and prejudice of early American settlers and the federal government.
Why was the Indian Removal Act controversial?
The Indian Removal Act was controversial, but Jackson argued it was the best option since settlers had rendered Indian lands incompatible with sustaining their way of life.
What did Indians learn to do?
Indians were encouraged or forced to wear non-Indian clothes and learn to read and write English, sew and raise livestock. Missionaries attempted to convert them to Christianity and give up their spiritual beliefs.
What are the main sources of revenue for the Indian reservation?
On many reservations, the main sources of revenue are tourism and gambling.
What is the Spokane Tribe's vision?
The Spokane Tribe of Indians vision is to achieve true sovereignty by attaining self-sufficiency. We will preserve and enhance our traditional values by living and teaching the inherent principles of respect, honor and integrity as embodied in our language and life-ways. We will develop strong leadership through education, accountability, experience and positive reinforcement.
What is Spokane tribal enterprise?
Spokane Tribal Enterprises strives to be a recognized branded leader in bringing new businesses to fruition and operating those businesses with leading industry practices, through leadership and innovation, becoming the preferred employer for Spokane Tribal members.
How many casinos does the Spokane Tribe have?
The Spokane Tribe operates two casinos: the Spokane Tribe Casino and the Chewelah Casino.
When was Spokane incorporated?
In 1881, with a population of about 1,000, Spokane was incorporated. The virgin forests in the Northwest were an incentive to railroad development, and in 1883 the Northern Pacific was completed, assuring the city's future.
Why is the Spokane River called the Spokane River?
A river, particularly its spectacular series of falls, was the reason for both native habitation and later white settlement. Eventually called the Spokane River, this tributary of the Columbia teemed with salmon that sustained the region's indigenous people, the Spokanes. During salmon runs, other tribes joined the Spokanes at the falls for fishing, trade, games, celebration, and socializing. Although there are varying theories, the most commonly agreed upon meaning of the name "Spokane" is "Children of the Sun."
What happened in Spokane in 1893?
Then the Panic of 1893 brought unemployment for many and loss of fortunes of such early leaders as Glover, Browne, and Cannon . A Dutch mortgage company, the Northwestern and Pacific Hypotheekbank, which had financed construction of many of the post-fire buildings, foreclosed and, for a considerable time, much valuable Spokane real estate was owned by the Dutch.
What made Spokane the center of the Inland Empire?
In addition, the fertile wheat-producing Palouse hills to the south, irrigated farms in the Spokane Valley, railroads, and the timber industry made Spokane the undisputed economic center of the Inland Empire.
What is the meaning of the name Spokane?
Although there are varying theories, the most commonly agreed upon meaning of the name "Spokane" is "Children of the Sun.".
When did Charles Lindbergh fly to Spokane?
On September 12, 1927, soon after his trans-Atlantic flight, Charles Lindbergh caused a sensation by visiting Spokane in his Spirit of St. Louis. Later that month Spokane hosted the National Air Races and Spokane Air Derby, with races from New York and San Francisco converging on the city.
Where did seasonal workers live?
Seasonal workers resided in downtown workingmen's hotels or in flophouses between jobs in the mines or lumber camps. Labor troubles, which had reached a violent pitch in the Coeur d'Alene mines in the 1890s, continued. Spokane, already a major union stronghold, became one of several recruitment centers of the Industrial Workers of the World (Wobblies). In January 1909, demonstrations of a "free speech movement" led to mass arrests. A fiery speech and subsequent arrest of a young woman labor organizer, Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, had repercussions far beyond Spokane.
Why was Garry the Chief of the Spokane Tribe important?
Yet Garry apparently had no problem remembering his native tongue, because he soon became influential among the Middle and Upper Bands of the Spokane Tribe. He was probably not "the chief" of the tribe in the sense that his father had been -- the chieftainship had passed to a different relative -- but he was undoubtedly an important leader. And because he spoke English and French so well, he soon became the tribe's spokesman in almost all dealings with whites.
How did Howard describe Spokane Garry?
Howard described Garry in unflattering terms: "Spokane Garry was short in stature, dressed in citizen's clothing, and wore his hair cut short for an Indian. He was shriveled, bleary-eyed and repulsive in appearance, but wiry and tough and still able to endure great fatigue, though he must have been at least 70 years of age."
What did Garry do in Spokane?
He also tried, for a time, to share his academic learning, going so far as to build a rough schoolhouse made of poles and mats near what is now called Drumheller's Spring in Spokane. A visitor to it in 1837 reported that Garry was trying to teach his people to read and write English. These academic lessons were sporadic -- gathering food always took priority -- but he did manage to teach his own offspring how to read and write English. For these reasons, some historians have claimed, with some justification, that Garry was the "first schoolteacher" in the Spokane country (Lewis).
Why did Garry lose his tribe?
Meanwhile, Garry lost stature in his own tribe, by, first, being unable to prevent an attack in the first place, and second, refusing to join his warriors once it started. "Many a young warrior regarded with scorn the chief who had refused to fight at a time when the youngster thought he was risking his life for his tribe and his lands," wrote biographer Thomas E. Jesset (Jesset).
Why did Governor Stevens call a council of tribes?
Alarmed, Governor Stevens embarked on a "treaty tour" to encourage tribes to move to reservations. He called a council of tribes in 1855 at Antoine Plante's cabin on the Spokane River. Spokane Garry was there and listened to Governor Stevens's hastily conceived plan to make peace.
What did Garry learn at the Red River Settlement?
At the Red River Settlement, Garry learned to speak, read, and write English and French. He also learned math and agriculture and became a Bible-quoting Christian.
How many Indians were killed in the Battle of the Snake?
The result: seven soldiers killed, six injured and one missing, while at least nine Indians were killed. Steptoe made it back to safety south of the Snake, but the battle was to have serious repercussions for the tribes and for Spokane Garry. The federal government resolved to crush the troublesome tribes "with a strong hand."
Where is the Spokane Indian Reservation?
The Spokane Indian Reservation borders the north shore of the river from the confluence of Chamokane Creek at river mile 32.5 to Lake Roosevelt. Historically the Spokane was a salmon river, and the Spokane Tribe of Indians was a salmon-fishing tribe.
What does Spokane Tribe do?
The Spokane Tribe owns and operates a fish hatchery that produces kokanee and rainbow trout for release into Lake Roosevelt.
What is the name of the river that flows through Spokane?
The lower 29 miles of the Spokane River is known as the Spokane Arm of Lake Roosevelt. The river basin is about 2,400 square miles in size. The Spokane has three major tributaries: the Little Spokane River and Hangman (also called Latah) Creek, both in the Spokane area; and Chamokane (also called Tshimikain by the Spokane Tribe of Indians) ...
What fish spawned in the Spokane River?
Steelhead, coho, and sockeye (or whitefish) spawned upriver from the dam. Chinook spawned in the main river channel both upstream and downstream from the dam. Today, the Spokane Tribe works to protect and improve water quality and fisheries for tribal and non-tribal benefit.
Why is the Spokane River important?
Members of the tribe have relied on the river for nourishment, medicinal, and spiritual purposes. Spokane Falls was a place for tribal members to gather with family and friends.
How many dams are there in Spokane?
There are seven dams on the Spokane, from Post Falls Dam at the outlet from Lake Coeur d’Alene to Little Falls Dam at river mile 29. All have hydroelectric generators. One, Upriver Dam, is owned and operated by the City of Spokane Water Department, and the others are owned by Avista Corp., an electricity and natural gas utility based in Spokane.
When was the Spokane hatchery built?
The hatchery, built in 1990-1991, was developed and constructed as partial mitigation for the loss of salmon, steelhead, and habitat caused by hydroelectric dams, particularly Grand Coulee The hatchery is open for public tours during the week. More information about the Spokane Tribe is on the tribe’s website. ...
