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Photographs of Spokane area Indians, approximately 1890-1969

Overview of the Collection

Title
Photographs of Spokane area Indians
Dates
approximately 1890-1969 (inclusive)
Quantity
85 photographic prints (1 box)
Collection Number
PH1252
Summary
Photographs of Spokane/Coeur d'Alene area Indians including portraits of prominent members of area tribes, pictures of daily life, and special events; also includes photographs of notable locations including sites associated with the Battle of Four Lakes, grave sites of prominent tribal leaders, camps and structures around the Spokane area, and the fur trading post Spokane House
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

The entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries' Digital Collections website. Permission is required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Request at UW

Languages
English
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Biographical Note

Many of the photographs in the collection were collected by Jerome Peltier (1911-2004). Peltier was a Minnesota native, but moved to the Spokane/Coeur d'Alene area in 1925. Over the course of 35 years, he collected many materials about the area's history, and also wrote 15 books on Western history. Peltier, along with his wife Amanda, owned and operated Clark's Old Book Store in Spokane, parlaying his love of history into a livelihood. He belonged to historical societies including the Spokane Corral of Westerners and Westerners International, and was a founding member of the Museum of Native American Culture, Pacific Northwest Indian Center, and Fort Wright Museum. In 1985, Peltier was awarded the Distinguished Author of History Award, solidifying his role in the preservation and dissemination of regional history.

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Historical Background

This collection has a series of photos of the 1925 Indian Congress that took place in Spokane Washington between October 30th and 31st in 1925. In 1924, the Indian Citizenship Act gave native peoples the right to vote. This event led to a series of gatherings including the 1925 Indian Congress in Spokane, Washington. During the congress, three thousand delegates representing thirty-four tribes gathered in downtown Spokane to bring attention to draw media attention and further the rights of native peoples. Teepees and lodges were set up in Glover Stadium and on streets throughout Spokane, and many events were held, including a parade, beauty contest, stick games, and a teepee building contest. The congress was repeated in 1925, and was then abandoned because the tribes decided that although the congress brought attention to native life, it was a marketing ploy that did little to further native rights.

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Content Description

This collection contains photographs of Indians from the Spokane/Coeur d'Alene area, including members of the Spokane, Sinkiuse-Columbia, Columbia, Colville, Nez Perce, and Yakama tribes. The collection contains a combination of portraits, pictures of daily life, special events, and locations associated with the tribes of the region. Various locations are shown in the photographs including city scenes (probably of Spokane), images of Indian camps, locations associated with the Battle of Four Lakes, grave sites of prominent tribal leaders, churches and missions in the Spokane area, and the fur trading post Spokane House. Includes photographs by Clair Hunt who lived in the Spokane area and worked for a time on the Colville Reservation. He photographed Spokane and Colville Indians.

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Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available

View the digital version of the collection

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

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Administrative Information

Custodial History

Part of the Jerome Peltier Collection, acquired by Russell Books.

Acquisition Information

Source: Russell Books on October 8, 2011.

Processing Note

Processed by Mark Mulder, 2014. Processed by Melanie Kay, 2018.

Accessioned as PH2017-040.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 


2018 (Last modified: 12/13/2024)

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