Background
Spokane Garry was born at the “Spokane fishery, ” now in Spokane County, Washington. His father, Illim-Spo- kanee’, was head chief of the Sin-ho-man-naish tribe, a band later known simply as Spokane Indians.
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Spokane Garry
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also known as
Slough-Keetcha
Missionary peace advocate teacher
Education
In 1825, the boy was one of several Indian youths of his age selected from the neighboring tribes by Gov. Simpson of the Hudson’s Bay Company and sent across the Rocky Mountains to the Red River Missionary School at Upper Fort Garry to be educated and Christianized at the expense of the company.
Thenceforth, he was known as Spokane Garry, having been named after Nicholas Garry, then deputy governor of the company. At the school, he was converted and learned to read and speak both English and French.
Career
In the spring of 1832, Garry returned to his people, started a native school, and introduced a form of Christian religious worship which spread with amazing rapidity. Tucker suggests that the journey of the five western Indians to St. Louis in 1832, in search of the white man’s Book of God, was inspired by his teachings.
He also restrained several of the Columbia River tribes from joining Chief Joseph of the Nez Perces in 1877.
In March 1887, he signed the treaty for the relinquishment of the land claims of the upper and middle bands of Spokane Indians.
He died in poverty, dispossessed of his lands, with the treaty yet unratified by Congress, and the moneys and consideration, promised thereunder to him and his people, yet unpaid.
Achievements
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Garry became in effect the chief of the upper and middle bands of the Spokane Indians, and for nearly sixty years, he was a leader among the tribes of the Columbia River basin. His education and natural ability made him the recognized equal of his white contemporaries. So far as his influence was felt among his people it was always in the interest of harmony and progress, and to his teachings may be largely attributed the peaceful settlement of northeastern Washington and northern Idaho by invading white settlers. A substantial granite monument was erected to his memory in Greenwood Cemetery, Spokane, Washington, in 1925. Decades later, a Spokane city park was named after him and a statue erected in his honor.
Views
In later life, Garry strove earnestly to protect his people in the possession of the remnant of their lands against the aggressions of the whites.
Personality
In person, Garry was a short, stocky man, of homely features but of determined mien. His lodge in early days always contained sugar, coffee, tea, and other supplies which some of the first white settlers lacked, and many of the pioneers in the vicinity of his home were under obligation to him for assistance given them on their arrival in his country.
Connections
Garry was married to Lucy.
