 
CHILDREN of the SUN: Chapter 1
Before White Men Arrived The Spokane Indians are of the Interior Salish group which has inhabited northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, and western Montana for centuries. The native language spoken by the Spokanes is common to other Salish tribes with only a slight variation in dialect. Generally speaking, the Spokanes can converse easily in their native tongue with the Kalispels, Coeur d' Alenes, Colvilles, and Flatheads. The aboriginal lands occupied by the Spokanes laid in eastern Washington along the Spokane River and surrounding area encompassing some three million acres. The vast domain began on the Columbia River near the present town of Hunters; thence easterly along Hunters Creek to Deer Lake; thence to Mount Spokane and southerly through Peone Prairie and the present town of Opportunity to a point near Rosalia; thence west and slightly south to Ritzville and thence north to the old townsite of Peach, and up the Columbia River to the point of beginning. The tribe originally consisted of three bands: Upper, Middle, and Lower. These terms were apparently applied by the white man to the three bands according to their location on the Spokane River. The Lower band usually occupied an area along the Spokane River from its mouth to the present site of Tumtum; the Middle band occupied the area from Tumtum to the mouth of Hangman Creek; and the Upper band lived in the Hangman Creek region and through the Spokane Valley as far as the present town of Post Falls, Idaho. The word "Spokane" is generally accepted as meaning "Sun People" or "Children of the Sun", although the interpretation is somewhat controversial. In 1807, David Thompson, a trapper with the Northwest Fur Trading Company, first used the name "Spokane" in referring to three Spokane bands. The most reliable estimation in 1880 of the Spokane population was 3,000. A smallpox epidemic just prior to the turn of the century killed many. The living cycle of the Spokanes was very important to their economic and social life. In the spring, usually March, the winter camps dispersed into small groups to gather food, hunt, and fish. By early summer, salmon fishing, hunting, and root digging were the main activities. During the summer and early fall, the schedule included root digging and berry picking. It was at this time of the year when inter-tribal social activities were at their highest be cause most of the neighboring tribes joined the Spokanes in one general area for root gathering and berrying. This tradition of socializing with other tribes is carried on today with the Indian "Pow Wows", which begin in June and end in September. While perhaps the competition isn't quite as keen, visiting and competing in stick games and ceremonial dancing are an important part in the social life of today's Indians. In early winter, the smaller units regrouped and formed their winter camps. These camps were located in favorable places along rivers or creeks which afforded water and shelter. Most of the winter months were spent observing ceremonies, visiting, and trading. The Spokane country was abundant with roots, berries, fish, and game animals. Mount Spokane was a prime area for berrying and hunting. The prairie country south of the Spokane River provided roots and camas while the Spokane River abounded with salmon. The area was also plentiful with deer, elk, and antelope. The method of hunting used in early days is similar to the "drive" used by the Indians of today. Men, women, and children formed huge circles and moved towards the center with game hopefully trapped inside. As the circle became smaller, the best bowmen were placed at vantage points where the game would most likely attempt to escape. This method of hunting proved most effective and was used until the introduction of firearms and then was discontinued for fear of shooting one another. The bow and arrow was the most important and effective weapon prior to the arrival of the gun. The best bows were made of syringa wood. The arrow shaft was also made of syringa and straightened for accuracy by working it back and forth through a grooved stone. The arrow point was made of stone and shaped by a flaking process, using a sharp elk antler and heat. The Spokanes joined other Salish tribes to hunt buffalo east of the Rockies in the much feared Blackfoot and Crow country. As an allied force, the Salish tribes had not only sufficient man power for the hunt, but also a superior force if the enemy were encountered. Prior to the introduction of the horse, individual stalking was carried on and the buffalo slain by arrows or spears. After the arrival of the horse, which is estimated to have occurred two hundred years ago, hunting was much easier and the horse was a much more efficient mode of transporting game home. Able bodied women and children accompanied the hunters on the long journey to prepare the carcasses for the trip home. Salmon was perhaps the most important commodity in the early economy of the tribe. Not only did it provide an excellent food source, but it was also an important trade item very few other interior tribes enjoyed. The Lower Spokanes used a net almost exclusively to catch salmon while the Middle and Upper bands generally used spears and traps. Two varieties of camas were considered the staple food items and were abundant in several areas. The "Brown" camas, an onion like bulb, was dug in damp meadows. It was dried in large fire pits in layers separated by moss and eaten whole or added to fish and meat for seasoning. The "White" camas is found in rocky areas of the plateau country. It was used primarily for making flour. Today the "Brown" camas is found in several places on the Spokane Reservation and just to the north of Camas Prairie. The "White" camas is usually dug in an area between Davenport and Creston, Washington. In very early times, the Spokanes frequently raided the Yakimas to the south and down the Columbia River to the Dalles. Spokane parties occasionally raided coastal tribes and went as far south as the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Raiding parties usually stole horses and women for slaves; food and weapons were other prime targets. Raiding was very common amongst most of the North west tribes. The Yakimas called the Spokanes "robbers" because of the raids. In comparison to neighboring tribes, the Spokanes were not considered warlike people. However, when they did engage in battle, they were formidable warriors. Usually they were in alliance with the Kalispels and Coeur d'Alenes. The social and political organization of the Spokanes was influenced by ties of blood, mutual interests, and dialects. There apparently was no overall chief of the three Spokane bands, but the chief of the Upper band usually announced important decisions concerning the whole tribe after consulting the other band chiefs. Upon the death of a chief, a sub-chief was usually selected as chief. The chieftianship was very seldom hereditary. Each band had a chief and several sub-chiefs. The chief was selected by the members of the band considering the qualities of wisdom, dignity, wealth, warring abilities, and striking physical appearances. When the tribe divided into smaller groups for berrying, root digging, or hunting, a sub-chief was in charge of each party. The sub-chief was also important in the supervision of camp regulations such as storing and issuing of food, guarding, and pasturing horses. Clothing of buffalo, elk, and deer hides was used extensively during the winter months. Moccasins were worn throughout the year with fur worn inside in winter for warmth. Men's clothing consisted of a long buckskin shirt, leggings, belt, breechcloth, moccasins, and a fur hat. The Spokanes wore a short feathered bonnet during ceremonies, but later adopted the "Sioux Bonnet" of eagle feathers because it was more striking. Women wore long dresses, leggings reaching to the knees, moccasins, belt, and hats. Decoration of clothing was done by dyeing or painting and using porcupine quills and beads. The designs usually represented dreams or visions while others were connected with the guardian spirit. The teepee was used almost exclusively as their home. The conical shaped shelter was built by leaning upright poles inward forming a large circle at the bottom and a small opening at the top. Mats made of tule were hung overlapping around the frame to enclose it. The teepee was used because the tule mats were light and easy to transport and poles were readily available. Rectangular housing was used at permanent camps, and could house four or five families. They were also used for ceremonials and other gatherings. Animal hides are tanned much the same today as they were centuries ago, the only difference being modem tools. A sharp tool is used to cut the hair from the hide. After the hair is re moved, the hide is soaked, scraped, then soaked again in a mixture of water and brains of the animal, spread, and is then ready for tanning. The art of tanning hides is rapidly disappearing be cause of the time and hard work involved. Thread for sewing was of sinew taken from the backs of larger animals. Needles were made of sharp bones or stones. In the division of labor, the woman did a great deal of the heavy work. She made all the mats, bags, baskets, dressed the hides, made clothing and teepees, gathered the fuel, dug the roots, and prepared the meals. The men made the tools and weapons, made ceremonial clothing, hunted, cared for the horses and made war when necessary. The search for a guardian spirit began when a child reached the age of puberty. This was an extremely important part of childhood and no one could attain adulthood until a guardian spirit was found. 'Me child was sent to a mountain top or other isolated place to fast and watch for his spirit to appear. It may have taken a few days or many days before it appeared, and usually it was in the form of an animal. The seeker was taught an original song by his guardian spirit. In later years, the guardian spirit and song were interpreted into symbolic items which were made into a medicine pouch. The Salish word for guardian spirit is "sumesh". Before the introduction of the white man's religions the Indians held the belief that there were three worlds, one on top of the another, with the middle world being earth. They believed a Superior Being ruled the upper world while the lower world was ruled by an evil person. The ruler of the above gave them rain and made food plentiful. The evil ruler was blamed for poor hunting, fishing, and crops. It was the good God from above who sent the coyote to earth. Coyote is said to have given the Indians special skills and know ledge. His cunning and crafty ways are told in coyote stories in which he always outwits his foe. Shamans or sorcerers were active amongst the Spokanes. They were believed to possess the power to foresee future events with great accuracy. Among other things, they were said to be able to locate herds of animals when hunting was still poor. Although sorcery is not practiced now by Spokanes, several Salish people practice it. The dead were disposed of by burial. The burial took place after the corpse was sewn in skins or robes and placed on a scaffold or in a tree until the grave was dug. Burials were usually made in sandy knolls or where digging was easiest.
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