The Enduring Earth: The Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s Battle and Bond with Their Ancestral Lands
By [Your Name/Journalist’s Name]
PLUMMER, IDAHO – The land here breathes. From the pristine shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene, stretching across the rolling Palouse hills, and tracing the serpentine paths of the St. Joe and Spokane Rivers, it is a landscape of profound beauty and deep history. For the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, or the Schitsu’umsh as they call themselves – "The Discovered People" or "Those Who Are Found Here" – this earth is not merely property; it is the very essence of their identity, their past, and their future.
Their story is one of an unbreakable bond with the land, tested by centuries of contact, displacement, and relentless pressure, yet ultimately defined by resilience, cultural revitalization, and an unyielding commitment to stewardship. It is a narrative etched into every pine tree, every grain of soil, and every ripple on the lake that bears their name.
A Vast Domain, A Sacred Trust
Before the arrival of European explorers and settlers, the ancestral lands of the Schitsu’umsh encompassed a vast territory, estimated to be between 3.5 and 5 million acres. This domain stretched from the Bitterroot Mountains in Montana, across northern Idaho, and into eastern Washington. It was a land rich with resources: abundant salmon and other fish in the rivers and lakes, vast herds of deer and elk, and a bounty of camas, huckleberries, and other traditional foods. Their sophisticated seasonal rounds of hunting, fishing, and gathering ensured a sustainable way of life that had thrived for thousands of years.
"Our ancestors lived in harmony with this land," explains Chief Allan, a respected elder and cultural preservationist with the Tribe. "Every mountain, every river, every plant had a name, a story, a purpose. The land provided everything, and in return, we honored it, protected it. It was not ours to own, but ours to care for."
This deep spiritual and practical connection shaped their language, ceremonies, and social structures. The land was their pantry, their pharmacy, their church, and their school. Children learned the ancient trails, the names of plants, and the behavior of animals, passing down generations of ecological knowledge.
The Inevitable Shrinking: Treaties and Allotment
The mid-19th century brought an irreversible shift. The relentless tide of westward expansion, driven by the lure of furs, timber, and later, gold, began to encroach upon tribal territories. The Coeur d’Alene people, known for their shrewd trading skills (hence the French moniker "Coeur d’Alene" meaning "Heart of an Awl" – sharp-hearted traders), initially engaged with the newcomers. However, the sheer volume of settlers and the U.S. government’s policy of "Manifest Destiny" soon led to treaties that drastically diminished their land base.
The pivotal agreement was the Hellgate Treaty of 1855. While the Coeur d’Alene chiefs initially resisted, they were ultimately compelled to cede vast tracts of their aboriginal territory, reserving a much smaller, yet still significant, portion for their exclusive use. This initial reservation was later further reduced by executive orders. By 1873, the current boundaries of the Coeur d’Alene Reservation were largely established, a fraction of their original domain, but still encompassing the southern half of Lake Coeur d’Alene and crucial rivers.
Yet, even this reduced land base was not secure. The Dawes Allotment Act of 1887 proved to be the most devastating blow. This federal policy aimed to break up communally held tribal lands into individual parcels, ostensibly to promote farming and assimilation. "It was designed to destroy our way of life, to turn us into individual farmers and sever our communal ties to the land," states Tribal Chairman Ernie Stensgar. "But it also opened the door for non-Native individuals to acquire what was once our sovereign territory."
The "surplus" lands, those not allotted to individual tribal members, were then declared available for sale to non-Natives. This resulted in a checkerboard pattern of land ownership within the reservation boundaries, with tribal members owning only a fraction of the land and creating complex jurisdictional challenges that persist to this day. The Coeur d’Alene Tribe lost an estimated 75% of its remaining reservation land through allotment and subsequent sales, a common tragedy shared by tribes across the nation.
Reclamation and Rebirth: The Modern Reservation
Today, the Coeur d’Alene Reservation spans approximately 345,000 acres, straddling parts of Benewah and Kootenai Counties in northern Idaho. While still a fraction of their original territory, it represents a hard-won victory in maintaining a homeland. The Tribe’s journey since the darkest days of allotment has been one of economic innovation, cultural resurgence, and a fierce dedication to self-determination.
Central to this modern era is the Tribe’s economic diversification. The Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel, located in Worley, Idaho, is the Tribe’s largest economic engine. Beyond providing employment for hundreds of tribal and non-tribal members, its revenues fund essential services for the community: healthcare, education, elder care, and infrastructure development. The resort also boasts the award-winning Circling Raven Golf Club, a testament to the Tribe’s ability to develop world-class facilities while honoring their ancestral landscapes.
"Gaming was a lifeline for us," explains Chairman Stensgar. "It allowed us to create our own economy, to fund our own programs, and to begin the long process of reclaiming our sovereignty and our land."
Beyond gaming, the Tribe engages in sustainable forestry, agriculture, and tourism, all managed with an eye towards environmental responsibility and long-term viability. They are a significant employer in the region and a vital economic partner.
Stewards of the Sacred Waters: Lake Coeur d’Alene
Perhaps no aspect of the Tribe’s land stewardship is more poignant than their dedication to Lake Coeur d’Alene. The lake, known as "Sch’itsu’umsh" in their language, is deeply sacred, central to their creation stories and cultural practices. However, decades of hard rock mining in the Silver Valley upstream, particularly from the late 19th to the mid-20th century, left the lake and its watershed severely contaminated with heavy metals like lead, zinc, and cadmium.
The Coeur d’Alene Tribe has been at the forefront of efforts to clean up the pollution and protect the lake for future generations. They have tirelessly advocated for federal Superfund designation, pursued legal action against polluters, and actively participate in remediation efforts. Their stance is not just environmental; it is a spiritual imperative.
"The lake is our heart," says Chief Allan, his voice filled with emotion. "When the lake is sick, we are sick. Our fight for the lake’s health is a fight for our own survival, for our children’s future, and for the spirit of our ancestors."
This commitment has led to significant successes, including the establishment of the Coeur d’Alene Basin Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan, a multi-agency effort aimed at restoring damaged natural resources. The Tribe’s environmental department is a robust force, monitoring water quality, managing fisheries, and educating the public on sustainable practices.
Reclaiming the Checkerboard: Land Buy-Back
One of the most ambitious and culturally significant endeavors of the modern Coeur d’Alene Tribe is the ongoing effort to buy back alienated lands within the reservation boundaries. Utilizing funds from their economic enterprises, the Tribe systematically purchases parcels of land from willing sellers, slowly consolidating their land base and undoing the damage of the Allotment Act.
"Every acre we get back is a victory," states a tribal land manager. "It means more opportunities for housing, for cultural practices, for natural resource management. It’s about rebuilding our homeland, piece by piece."
This land buy-back program is more than just a real estate transaction; it’s an act of cultural reclamation and an assertion of sovereignty. Each acquired parcel strengthens the Tribe’s ability to govern itself, protect its resources, and ensure a vibrant future for its people.
A Future Rooted in the Past
The story of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s land is a microcosm of the Native American experience: a tale of profound loss, but also of incredible resilience and an enduring spirit. From the vast ancestral domain to the reduced reservation, and now to the strategic efforts of reclamation, the land remains the central pillar of their identity.
As the sun sets over the Palouse, casting long shadows across fields now managed by tribal enterprises, one can feel the weight of history and the pulse of a living culture. The Coeur d’Alene Tribe continues to navigate the complexities of modern life while holding fast to the ancient wisdom passed down through generations. Their lands, once threatened with complete dissolution, are now the foundation of a thriving, self-determined future.
"We are still here," affirms Chairman Stensgar, looking out over the landscape. "And we will continue to fight for this land, to heal it, and to teach our children its stories. Because for the Schitsu’umsh, the land is not just where we live; it is who we are." The enduring earth, indeed, continues to breathe, sustained by the steadfast heart of the Coeur d’Alene people.
