In
the early existence of the Spokane Tribe, over three million acres of land were
lived upon, protected and respected by the Spokane Indians. The Spokane Indians
fished the Spokane River and used the grand Spokane Falls as a gathering place
of family and friends. The Spokanes lived along the river in three bands known
as the Upper, Middle and Lower Spokane Indians. Depending upon the season of the
year, traditional camp sites were lived in.In January of 1881, President Rutherford B. Hayes, by executive order, formally declared the Spokane Indian Reservation the new and smaller home of the Spokane Indians. The tree bands of Indians were split up and some found new homes which are now known as the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation, the Flathead Indian Reservation, and the Colville Indian Reservation.
