June 13, 1928: Indians flock to Inchelium

-Organize for big pow wows and swarm to celebration

Hundreds of Indians were at Inchelium or on their way yesterday to participate in the annual celebration and join in the conference over subjects of great concern to them, particularly the controversy with the government of the sale of timber belonging to the Colville Indians. 

The Indians have caught the spirit of organization and have formed a "Federation of Vanishing Americans." Yesterday the Indian women organized an Eagle Feather Club and the reservation's white and Indian business men have a commercial club, all of which cooperate and help to strengthen the force of their position on community affairs

Gus Paul is the president of the Federation of Vanishing Americans. Theodore Bourgeau is treasurer, and Florence Quill is secretary; also president of the newly organized Eagle Feather Club.

During the forenoon everything is quiet and a stranger would not guess there was a celebration and pig powwow in progress. Many of the Indians are asleep after the dance, games and fun of the night before. But after lunch the grounds become alive with shouting redskins, dashing autos and prancing horses.

BALLYHOO

Jim Timentwa of Keller stands in the middle of the street and ballyhoos the big stick game, which causes more excitement and betting than any other sport. There will be a big game on the last day of the celebration for the championship between the Indians of the east of the Columbia and those west of the river. Other sports include a tug of war between the whites and Indians, and there are always young fellows anxious to race their horses.

Religion as well as public affairs and sports brings many to the conference and tomorrow church services are expected to add to the crowd. One of the best Catholic churches in that part of the state is at Inchelium.

MANY ROADS

Many roads lead to Inchelium. The town, a government townsite, within the bounds of the south half of the Colville Reservation, is on the west side of the Columbia River from Gifford. From Spokane it can be reached by way of Springdale and Hunters, or by way of Addy, or by going north from Davenport through Fruitland. There is a good road down the river from Marcus and Kettle Falls and roads come from different points on the reservation.

All those going from Spokane or elsewhere east of the river cross the Columbia at Inchelium, where there is a two-wheel current ferry that carries three autos at a time. In spite of the many going to the celebration there has been no trouble getting all across quickly. The ferrymen say that the river is still carrying 10 times the flow that it does in the low stage.