The Year of Chief Garry

This year, I have encouraged local efforts to remember Chief Garry, and have also been encouraged by several other people's efforts to honor the Spokane Tribe and its famous son. Or at least, Garry would be more famous, if his story were more palatable to the stereotypes or stories that many Americans prefer. Brave warriors, such as young Chief Joseph, or Geronimo, have captured people's imaginations. Meanwhile a few peacemakers like Chief Seattle gained some respect, often left behind in placenames. Yet Garry is a largely unsung hero, known by few outside of the Inland Northwest. Part of the reason must be due to the fact that Garry moved easily between white and native culture, and was misunderstood at times by both. Although imperfect, he was an advocate of his people's rights, a Christian, and a man of peace.

2011 is the Year of Chief Spokan Garry because he was born about that year along the Spokane River, near the present-day location of the city. The year of his birth is not entirely clear, since statements vary from 1811 to 1815.

Five Events in 2011 to Celebrate Garry's Birth

1. Garry's Bible Visited



I spent a day in March at the Joel E. Ferris Archives of the MAC. Seeing Garry's Bible is like visiting a person. No commemoration of Garry would be accurate without acknowledging the influence of this "friend" of Garry. This Bible is far older than Spokane, and was even printed before Lewis and Clark's arrival in this region. It was published by the Clarendon Press in Oxford, England in 1804 by the British & Foreign Bible Society. This Bible awes me for three reasons. First, it substantially claims to be God's Holy Word to all tribes and nations, an inspired, spiritually powerful document thousands of years old. Second, this copy of the Holy Bible lasted through a time of tremendous upheaval in North America, brought here as a fulfillment of tribal prophecy, saved by Garry's devotion and care, and frequently read by him for guidance as he fulfilled the words of Jesus, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." (Matthew 5:9) This Bible both preserved people and was itself preserved by Garry even when his farm was stolen and he was evicted with only a wagonload to take away. Third, Garry's Bible remains as an eloquent witness against injustice and a continuing symbol of potential reconciliation between God and people, as well as natives and non-natives. My prayer is that this Bible will point us toward hope for the future, that the Scriptures will become "The Leaves of Life" for many.

2. United Tribes Make Mural

(photo credit: Barry Moses)

UCUT, the United Tribes of the Upper Columbia, painted a beautiful mural this year at the foot of Drumheller Springs along Ash Street going south. This mural depicts animal life and native culture at the springs and the nearby river. The longhouse in the mural is the one made of tule mats, built by Garry for the purpose of teaching the children of the tribe.

3. Fourth-Grade Class Remembers Historic Journey



As an educator, I tried to help my students understand the importance of learning more about the Indian tribal history in order to understand where we live. This picture was of our field trip in April to the old site of Hudson Bay Company's Spokane House Trading Post. It was on April 12th, 1825, that Garry left with the HBC brigade by canoe for Red River Mission, 1,800 miles away. He spent 4 years there, mastering knowledge of English, agriculture, and the Bible. His father's willingness to send Garry was courageous and risky. It would prove to be the first of many adventures for Garry.

4. Groundbreaking Book Published



This year, my friend Doug McMurry has written a historical narrative of Garry's life in the the 1820's and the way the Second Great Awakening spread west of the Rockies. I recommend this book highly. Doug has a love for native people and is a careful researcher, spending time even in the Library of Congress hunting up old documents relating to Pacific Northwest History.

5. Chief Garry Park Sculpture





The Spokane tribe raised money for a new sculpture in Chief Garry Park. They were so hospitable at the public opening of the sculpture. It was a great time shared by all. Garry's great-great-granddaughters spoke at the event and shared their thoughts. What a fitting way to honor Garry in the bicentennial of his birth.

Along with celebrating these public events, I also took part in a book study with some friends, reading the book by William Lewis, The Case of Spokane Garry.