Schools gather in Chewelah to learn more about Spokane Salish culture

Students from several different schools take a look at traditions, artifacts and history of Spokane Salish Culture. Several areas of Chewelah’s creative district were utilized during the day. (KS Brooks photo)

(KS BROOKS/Chewelah Independent)

SHOWING A NEW GENERATION: Tribal members talk about the people who lived here for thousands of years…

When the big yellow school busses arrived one after another at Chewelah City Park on Thursday, September 26, they were greeting by the sound of a drum circle. Fourth- grade drummers from Wellpinit set the mood for a cheerful Spokane Salish Culture Day.

Seventh grade students from Mary Walker, Summit Valley, Columbia, Chewelah, Wellpinit and Valley schools filed into the seats at center stage in the park. A number of speakers, including Chewelah Mayor Dorothy Knauss, Monica Tonasket, Tribal Elder Pat Moses and Tribal Chairwoman Carol Evans talked about what this day meant.

Pat Moses explained about reasons to pray, letting the students know that life is precious and sacred and there is always something to be thankful for. He talked about the history of the area, recounting how the Spokane people lived here thousands of years ago.

After the color guard, and a prayer and a smudging ceremony led by Moses, Chairwoman Evans asked the students to shake the hands of the people next to them. She then relayed a story from when she was…