Kootenai Falls

To the Kootenai Tribe, the Falls is a sacred site - the center of the world, a place where tribal members can commune with spiritual forces that give direction to the tribe and to individual members. The Kootenai Indians moved into the area in the 1500's according to historians. They were originally called the Ksunka meaning "People of the standing arrow". To the Native Americans, the standing arrow represented strength, unity and dexterity. However, when the French encountered the Ksunka, they referred to them as the Kootenai, meaning "water people".Archaeological evidence shows the Kootenai had Native American sweat lodges and encampments up and down the river valley from Pipe Creek - where light clay was found for pipes - to the falls area. The Kootenai Tribe continues to view the falls as sacred. In 1993, Universal Studios had to negotiate with the tribe to secure permission to film "The River Wild" at the falls.

For my 100th blip, I am honoring the Kootenai Tribe.