Spokane in Spokane County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Spokane River

Native American Gathering Place

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 2, 2015

1. Spokane River Marker

Inscription.

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

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

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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

Erected by Spokane Tribe of Indians Cultural Affairs Committee, City of Spokane.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Waterways & Vessels.

Location.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 2, 2015

2. Spokane River Marker

(Monroe Street Bridge in background)

47° 39.599′ N, 117° 25.524′ W. Marker is in Spokane, Washington, in Spokane County. It is on West Spokane Falls Boulevard just west of North Lincoln Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located beside the sidewalk, overlooking the Spokane River, Lower Spokane Falls and Monroe Street Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 901 West Spokane Falls Boulevard, Spokane WA 99201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The First Bridges (a few steps from this marker); Symbol of Spokane (within shouting distance of this marker); Monroe Street Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Abraham Lincoln (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); City Hall (about 400 feet away); Monroe Bridge (about 500 feet away); Spokane's Electric Streetcars (about 500 feet away); Post Street Substation (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spokane.

Marker detail: Spokane Indian Camp image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: Spokane Indian Camp

John Stevens (standing), Amelia Stevens (seated at right) and others at Spokane Indian Camp near Spokane, Washington; circa 1908
Courtesy of the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture/Eastern Washington State Historical Society, Spokane, Washington, (L84-327.788)

Marker detail: Salmon image. Click for full size.

4. Marker detail: Salmon

The Spokane River once yielded large salmon in abundance similar to the ones shown here.
Courtesy of Northwest Room, Spokane Public Library (99.940.2)

Marker detail: Little Falls image. Click for full size.

5. Marker detail: Little Falls

Spokane Indians fishing at Little Falls (approximately 40 miles downstream from Spokane Falls), July 3, 1908.
Courtesy of the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture/Eastern Washington State Historical Society Spokane, Washington, (L92-86.5)

Marker detail: National Indian Congress 1925 image. Click for full size.

6. Marker detail: National Indian Congress 1925

Spokane Indian encampment at Glover Field, just downstream from Spokane Falls, during the 1925 National Indian Congress held in Spokane.
Courtesy of the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture/Eastern Washington State Historical Society, Spokane, Washington, (L96-88.27)

Marker detail: Pictographs image. Click for full size.

7. Marker detail: Pictographs

Pictographs like these, located near Little Spokane River, are physical reminders of the ancient Native American inhabitants of the region.
Courtesy of the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture/Eastern Washington State Historical Society, Spokane, Washington, (L86-296)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,396 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 20, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 5, 6, 7. submitted on April 21, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.