The Spokane Tribe of Indians are of the Interior Salish Group, which has inhabited northeast Washington, northern Idaho & western Montana for many centuries. The Spokane Tribe of Indians & the Spokane Tribal Headquarters is now located in Wellpinit, Washington. Wellpinit is approximately 50 miles northwest of Spokane, Washington on the Spokane Indian Reservation. In earlier times, the Spokane Tribe lived on, protected, & respected over 3 million acres of land. Tribal members fished the Spokane River, the Columbia River, & utilized the grand Spokane Falls as a gathering place of family & friends. The Spokanes lived along the river in three bands known as the Upper, Middle & Lower Spokane Indians. Traditional campsites were lived in depending upon the Seasons of the year. In January 1881, President Rutherford B. Hayes formally declared the Spokane Indian Reservation the new & smaller home of the Spokane Indians. The three bands of Indians were split up & some found new homes, which are now known as the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation, the Flathead Indian Reservation, & the Colville Indian Reservation.
