The Enduring Current: A History of the Spokane Tribe of Washington
Along the swift, life-giving waters that carve through Eastern Washington, where the land unfolds into pine forests and basalt canyons, the Spokane Tribe has woven its history for millennia. Their name, “Spokane,” derived from the Salish Sqeliz or Sp’q’n’i, translates often to “Children of the Sun” or “Sun People,” a testament to their deep connection with the natural world and the radiant spirit that has guided them through epochs of profound change. This is the story of a people whose resilience flows as powerfully and ceaselessly as the river they call home, a narrative of ancient traditions, devastating conflicts, and an unwavering commitment to sovereignty and cultural revival.
Before the arrival of Europeans, the Spokane people were a vibrant and expansive society, masters of their vast ancestral territory encompassing the Spokane River basin, stretching from Lake Coeur d’Alene in the east to the confluence of the Spokane and Columbia Rivers in the west, and from the Colville River in the north to the Palouse Hills in the south. Their life was dictated by the seasons and the abundant resources of the land. Salmon, the spiritual and nutritional backbone of their existence, were harvested with sophisticated traps and weirs, their annual runs celebrated with reverence and ceremony. Deer, elk, and other game provided sustenance, while camas roots, berries, and various plants were gathered from the fertile plains and forests.
The Spokane lived in three primary bands – the Upper, Middle, and Lower Spokanes – each with distinct hunting grounds and fishing sites but united by language, kinship, and shared cultural practices. Their dwellings varied from semi-subterranean pit houses for winter to mat lodges for summer, reflecting their adaptable lifestyle. Society was organized around families and bands, with respected leaders guiding communal decisions. Spirituality was deeply ingrained, centered on respect for all living things and a profound connection to the land and its spirits. Oral traditions, rich with creation stories and moral teachings, were the primary means of passing down knowledge and history, ensuring that the "Children of the Sun" understood their place in the cosmic order.
The first ripples of change arrived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries with the westward expansion of Euro-American explorers and fur traders. While Lewis and Clark did not directly encounter the Spokane, their expedition opened the door for others. David Thompson, a British-Canadian cartographer and fur trader, was among the first to establish direct contact, building the Spokane House trading post in 1810 near the confluence of the Spokane and Little Spokane Rivers. This marked a pivotal moment, introducing the Spokane to new goods like metal tools, firearms, and blankets, but also inadvertently exposing them to devastating diseases like smallpox, which decimated their population and disrupted traditional lifeways. The initial interactions were largely cooperative, driven by mutual economic interests, yet they laid the groundwork for future conflicts over land and resources.
As the 19th century progressed, the trickle of settlers turned into a flood, fueled by the Oregon Trail and the promise of new lands. The discovery of gold in the region intensified the pressure, leading to direct clashes between the Spokane and encroaching miners and homesteaders. Unlike many neighboring tribes, the Spokane never signed a formal treaty with the United States government ceding their lands. This absence of a treaty would prove to be a tragic irony, as their lands were nevertheless occupied, their access to traditional hunting and fishing grounds severely restricted, and their sovereignty undermined.
Tensions culminated in the Spokane War of 1858, a brutal conflict that pitted several Plateau tribes, including elements of the Spokane, against the U.S. Army. Following the defeat of Colonel Edward Steptoe’s forces at the Battle of Steptoe Butte, General George Wright was dispatched with a larger, better-equipped army to quell the uprising. Wright’s campaign was swift and devastating. At the Battle of Four Lakes and the Battle of Spokane Plains, the tribal forces, though fighting valiantly, were no match for the Army’s advanced weaponry. The aftermath was particularly harsh: Wright ordered the slaughter of over 800 horses belonging to the tribes, a strategic move to cripple their mobility and spirit. He also executed several tribal leaders without trial, sending a chilling message to any who dared to resist. This war effectively ended organized Native American resistance in the region and forced the Spokane onto a path of profound disruption and forced assimilation.
The consequences of the 1858 war were immediate and long-lasting. Dispossessed of their ancestral lands and their traditional way of life shattered, the Spokane were eventually forced onto a reservation. In 1881, President Rutherford B. Hayes established the Spokane Indian Reservation, a fraction of their original territory, located north of the Spokane River. This transition to reservation life was traumatic, marked by poverty, disease, and the systematic erosion of their culture. Government policies aimed at assimilation, such as the Dawes Act of 1887 which allotted communal lands to individual tribal members, further fragmented their land base and undermined tribal governance.
Perhaps the most insidious tool of assimilation was the boarding school system. Spokane children, like thousands of other Native American children across the nation, were forcibly removed from their families and sent to institutions designed to "kill the Indian to save the man." In these schools, their languages were forbidden, their spiritual practices suppressed, and their hair cut short, all in an effort to strip them of their cultural identity. "My grandmother told me stories of how they were punished for speaking Salish," recounts a contemporary Spokane elder. "It was a dark time, but they held onto their stories, sometimes in secret, sometimes through whispers, so that we would remember." Despite these relentless pressures, the Spokane people found ways to preserve their heritage, passing down their language, songs, and traditions in quiet defiance.
The 20th century brought new challenges but also renewed hope. The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, a turning point in federal Indian policy, allowed tribes to re-establish their own governments and manage their affairs. The Spokane Tribe seized this opportunity, developing a constitutional government and working to rebuild their community. Economic development became a priority, with efforts focused on timber resources, agriculture, and later, the establishment of tribal enterprises like the Chewelah Casino, providing crucial revenue for essential services and cultural programs.
Throughout this period, the Spokane Tribe also engaged in a long and arduous struggle for the protection and restoration of their lands and resources, particularly the Spokane River. The river, once pristine, became increasingly polluted by industrial waste and urban runoff. The Tribe has been a leading voice in advocating for the cleanup of the river, filing lawsuits, and working with federal and state agencies to ensure the health of this vital waterway. They are also actively involved in efforts to reintroduce salmon to the upper Spokane River, a powerful symbol of cultural and ecological restoration. "The river is our lifeblood," stated a tribal council member. "It connects us to our ancestors, and it is our sacred duty to protect it for the generations to come."
Today, the Spokane Tribe of Indians stands as a sovereign nation, a testament to their enduring spirit and determination. The Spokane Indian Reservation is a vibrant community that offers a wide array of services to its members, from healthcare and education to housing and elder care. Cultural revitalization is at the heart of their contemporary efforts. Language immersion programs are working to bring back the Spokane dialect of Salish, ensuring that the voices of their ancestors resonate once more. Traditional arts, ceremonies, and powwows are celebrated with renewed vigor, strengthening community bonds and teaching younger generations about their rich heritage.
Economically, the Tribe has diversified, leveraging their natural resources sustainably and developing enterprises that provide employment and support self-sufficiency. They continue to be fierce advocates for environmental justice, particularly concerning the cleanup of the Spokane River and the protection of their water rights, which are fundamental to their existence. The Tribe’s commitment to self-determination extends to confronting historical trauma, promoting healing, and fostering a sense of pride and belonging among its members.
From the ancient rhythm of salmon runs to the modern challenges of environmental stewardship and cultural preservation, the Spokane Tribe’s history is a powerful narrative of resilience. They are the "Children of the Sun," not just a name, but a living embodiment of the strength and light that has guided them through centuries of change. Their story is a vital chapter in the history of Washington State and a profound reminder of the enduring power of a people deeply connected to their land, their traditions, and their unwavering vision for the future. The current of their history flows on, strong and vibrant, charting a course toward an even brighter tomorrow.
