Spokane River

Spokane River. Native American Gathering Place. Its location on the banks of a major inland waterway, and its strategic access to annual salmon runs, have made the Spokane Falls a gathering place for thousands of years. The Spokane Indians who traditionally occupied the region around Spokane Falls, called the falls "s/xetkw" (pronounced s.dl.het.kwa) meaning "fast water." , Visitors to Spokane Falls during the fishing season (early summer) included their neighbors the Coeur d'Alenes, Kalispels, and Salish-Kootenai who gathered to fish, renew ties, trade goods, share stories, and exchange news. Throughout the region, gatherings continue to take place keeping cultural ties strong among area tribes., The following account is one of several told by the local tribes to describe the origin of Spokane Falls. At the time of this legend the Couer d'Alenes called themselves the Schitsu'Umsh., Near Spokane one day, Coyote and Fox were travelling together on their way north. When they reached a river, Coyote said to Fox, "I believe I'll get married. I'd like to take one of those Coeur d'Alene women for my wife." So they decided to go in search of the Chief of the Coeur d'Alene. They soon located him with his tribe, and Coyote approached him with a gift of salmon. "Chief, I would very much like to have one of your tribal women for my wife. Can we talk about which one you would choose for me?" "Now Coyote, you know we do not approve that our women intermarry with other tribal members. So you cannot have one of our Coeur d'Alene women for your wife." Coyote and Fox left the Chief. , Coyote became so disappointed with the Chief's decision, he began to rage to his companion, Fox. "Soon the Chief will be sorry for his refusal. I'll make a big waterfall here in his big river. Forevermore, salmon will not be able to get over the falls to feed the Coeur d'Alenes." Since Coyote had the power for his wishes to be granted, the great falls immediately formed as he had proclaimed. That is how the Spokane Falls began., The city’s name ”Spokane” was derived from the name of a local tribal leader “sp’q’n’i” (pronounced spo.ka.nee) meaning “Sun.”, This interpretive panel was developed cooperatively by the Spokane Tribe of Indians Cultural Affairs Committee and the City of Spokane., Background Petroglyphs: Courtesy of James D. Keyser, Indian Rock Art of the Columbia Plateau . This historical marker was erected by Spokane Tribe of Indians Cultural Affairs Committee, City of Spokane. It is in Spokane in Spokane County Washington