To recognize the Tribal Nations and Peoples who thrived upon this land long before modern-day Spokane was established, the Library seeks to honor and spotlight the voices of Indigenous Peoples this day.
Preserving the stories and languages of a community is vital for strengthening the connection people have with their heritage and for preventing Indigenous erasure. In addition to amplifying Indigenous stories, the Library partnered with the Spokane Tribe of Indians to create a Land Acknowledgment, to acknowledge the original residents of the occupied land our libraries were built upon. The Tribe also honored the third floor stage at Central Library with a Salish name, nxʷyxʷyetkʷ Hall, pronounced n-whee-whee-et-k-wh, meaning Life in the Water.
Within our Digital Photo Archive, there are historic photos of local Tribes, customs, and cultural traditions. These images share some of the history of local Tribal Nations. Many of these photos were donated without context and we are actively seeking information regarding these photos to better preserve and respect Tribal histories. If you have more information about these images, please let us know. Find these photos and more here.
Book Recommendations
Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith
This Place: 150 Years Retold by Various Authors
Split Tooth by Tanya Tagaq
We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom and Michaela Goade
