Spokane7
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August 25, 2011 in City
Mayor, community dedicate new Garry park monument
Brian Huseland and his daughters, Mercy, 10, Irene, 8, and Alice, 13, listen to a drum circle from Wellpinit, Wash., in Garry Park Wednesday.
(Full-size photo)
About 200 people showed up at Chief Garry Park on Wednesday for the dedication of a memorial inspired by the park’s namesake, revered Spokane tribal leader Spokane Garry, who died in 1892.
The Gathering Place monument, incorporating several Spokane tribal themes, replaces a deteriorating concrete statue of Chief Garry, which was removed in 2008, and the short-lived appearance of a totem pole favored by coastal tribes.
The ceremony was attended by Spokane Mayor Mary Verner and Spokane tribal Chairman Greg Abrahamson, who said Garry was “one of the first of our people to learn a foreign language – English.”
Born in 1811 to a Spokane chief, Garry was educated at the Red River Settlement’s Anglican mission in Canada, where he was given his Anglo name.
Garry returned to his ancestral home on the Spokane River, where he became an interpreter and represented the interests of the Middle and Upper bands of the Spokane Tribe during a critical time in the encroachment of white settlers.
Also in attendance on Wednesday were Garry’s descendants Theresa Williams and Sue Garry, a principal in the Marysville, Wash., School District, who spoke of her ancestor’s contribution to the education and welfare of his people.
Though Garry struggled to obtain a Spokane tribal homeland, she said, “He sought to mediate misunderstandings.”
Ultimately, the city of Spokane was incorporated in 1881, the same year the Spokane reservation was established on a 159,000-acre corner of the tribe’s 3 million-acre homeland.
According to tribal Vice Chairman Mike Spencer, the circular monument comprises culturally appropriate symbols, including the circle entry representing the sun, stone columns representing drums and youth, a replica of an ancient pictograph and steel salmon swimming upstream.
The approximately $40,000 monument was built with the assistance of a $10,000 grant from the Spokane Parks Foundation and community donations, including gifts by businesses and local schoolchildren. Labor was donated by the Northeastern Washington and North Idaho Building and Construction Trades Council.
Much of the credit for completion of the monument in the east Spokane park was given to Spokane tribal member Jamie Sijohn, who spearheaded the three-year effort.
Rights panel poorly understood 
DavidBray on August 25 at 7:51 a.m.
It would have been nice if there was a picture of the new monument instead of just people. Probably would have created a little more interest than just writing about the history.
Seems like common sense is becoming a rare asset in journalism.
Albert on August 25 at 9:18 a.m.
Drums, chanting to false gods, mayor verners bubbling away, …sounds like a city council meeting. If they offered free booze and a putting green, guess who would have also shown up for this gala event.
liberal_in_right_wing_land on August 25 at 9:27 a.m.
Albert, so inappropriate you hateful little man.
Dazzeetrader11 on August 25 at 10:42 a.m.
Pretty funny Albert. Well, this shows that Verner can do something…….guess who’s supporting Verner’s re-election bid.
DickAdams on August 25 at 10:54 a.m.
I thought and mistakenly so, when the city charter was changed to the strong mayor form of government, that meant the mayor (Verner) would roll up her sleeves and work rather than gallivant all over town kissing babies etc, like the comic pages show. Seems to me,she does every thing but work as a strong mayor which she should be doing instead of all the photo ops.
liberal_in_right_wing_land on August 25 at 11:04 a.m.
Figures dazzee would think the comment mocking the Indians is funny. As I have said many times, all tea baggers might not be racist, but all racists are tea baggers.
Dick, thankfully most people know what you just said is nothing but lies as evidence by her more than doubling the amount of votes in the primary of the guy who use to lead the true do-nothing politician in Cathy McMorris-Rogers. Seems to be the only advice he is capable of giving is to tell her to stand behind her party leaders and smile and look pretty.
Dazzeetrader11 on August 25 at 11:18 a.m.
I don’t think there was a “mock”…just a display of his sense of humor. I thought it was funny. You sissys after Freedom of Speech nowadays too?
maria on August 25 at 11:26 a.m.
I can’t hear you, Dazee, over the AWESOME NATIVE AMERICAN DRUMMING!
Dazzeetrader11 on August 25 at 11:41 a.m.
YAY for the natives!………less so for Verner who should be back at her office conferring with her lawyer about the Ottos Zehm case. Nice opening huh? lol
soccermomsusie on August 25 at 12:00 p.m.
I know this doesn’t sound right, but I really wish these Native Americans would just go back from whence they came.
As far as the chief that they built the statue for, it must have been strange when the first civilized (white) settlers met him.
White Man - “Good Day Sir. My name is Jebediah Hockensphoot. We are about to make your life a lot better.”
Indian Chief - “They call me… GARRY!”
No surprise Mayor Verner would be drumming up support this way. She’s so literal. I bet our Tea Party Candidate for Mayor DAVID CONDON would have shown some courtesy and dressed up a little for this event - probably as General George Wright.
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!!
cdspokesreader on August 25 at 1:31 p.m.
I was under the impression that Mary Verner had some tribal heritage. It would make sense that she would want to be at this event.
Ninch on August 25 at 3:11 p.m.
Wow… all posters today (liberal and conservative) have shown NO respect for Chief Garry. What is wrong with you people? Why do you care so little for our local heritage rather you be native or not? Where are your humanistic traits. You should all be ashamed.
By the way my grandfather and great grandparents were farmers on the West Plains (came over working on the railroad) and Chief Garry visited them often. My great grandfather was illiterate but my great grandmother was well educated and enjoyed the conversations, while giving Garry a good homecooked British meal. She also played the piano for the gatherings. My grandfather (the youngest of the family) remembers Garry giving him rides on his white horse. His sister saved an orange for Chief Garry but by the time she have it to him it was petrified, she was mortified, but Garry thought it was very funny and extremely thoughtful.
DickAdams on August 25 at 8:19 p.m.
Isn`t about time the federal government stop sending checks to all the Indians in the country? Heck, the white man has been forking out money far too long (heck it happened over 200 years ago) and its time the well is pumped dry and these folks and I think, they should fend for themselves..
DickAdams on August 25 at 8:26 p.m.
Liberal, obviously you do not know my feelings towards Cathy McNorris Rodgers. But you opened your hole to accuse me of something that is a lie. I think she has looked the other way at a criminal case in the Lilac City and may be guilty of breaking at least one law. Cathy, IMO, performs a disservice to the citizens and something should be done about it.
greenlibertarian on August 25 at 8:38 p.m.
DickAdams on August 25 at 8:19 p.m.
Isn`t about time the federal government stop sending checks to all the Indians in the country?
That’s possibly the MOST ignorant thing you’ve ever posted, Dick, and that’s saying something for you.
misjustice on August 25 at 8:46 p.m.
I agree with David Bray. The photo that accompanies the story is nice, as it show folks interacting, but what I wanted to see was the new monument. Oh, never mind…I’ll just drive by the park this weekend and take a gander for myself…
*sigh*
I dunno, but it seems like a story about a monument, that has a photo attached to it, should have an actual photograph of the MONUMENT…
Just sayin’…
wheels on August 29 at 7:32 a.m.
Ninch, thanks for your comments.I would hope that some would learn from them.That would seem to exclude soccermomsusie.Doubtful she cares or understands anything about heritage.Her self chosen handle seems very appropriate.
DrmCatcher on August 30 at 5:02 p.m.
It’s so hard to NOT say hateful things back to those whose comments are so degrading and hurtful. Instead, I will enjoy the DRUMS with Maria!!
spokaneeyaya on August 30 at 8:36 p.m.
Thank you to those posting supportive comments. While I am saddened by the negative comments, I am appalled by the utter lack of education demonstrated by soccermomsusie. Her comment “I know this doesn’t sound right, but I really wish these Native Americans would just go back from whence they came.” leaves me incredulous. I find it absolutely amazing that she does not realize that the indigenous people of the North American continent (i.e. Native Americans, Mexicans) are in the country of their origin.