Monument honors Kootenai Tribe of Idaho

The Wild Horse Trail Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution held a dedication ceremony Oct. 10 to honor the Kootenai (Ktunaxa) Indians for their contributions to early exploring in the Paradise Valley region of Boundary County.

A monument is now located on Highway 95 at the existing state highway “historic marker” turnout, about one mile south of Bonners Ferry in addition to the existing educational story boards previously installed by the Idaho State Historical Society. The boards provide information about the area’s glacial lakes, explorer David Thompson, and the Wild Horse Trail as used by the explorers. The work of Kootenai (Ktunaxa) Indians is not addressed.

The chapter’s Historic Preservation committee felt it was important to recognize and honor the work of the early Kootenai (Ktunaxa) Indians, which had not been included on the existing Wild Horse Trail story board. Through a special grant offered by the National Society DAR, extensive research was done to learn that the Kootenai (Ktunaxa) Indians were an integral part of the early exploring, by assisting those explorers and guiding them out of the mountains, teaching them hunting and survival skills, and providing additional supplies and food. The Wild Horse Trail originates in northern British Columbia and winds its way down through Boundary and Bonner counties. The trail has a historical ending point in Sandpoint, and is a part of the Scenic International Selkirk Loop.

We were honored to welcome Kootenai Tribe of Idaho Chairman Gary Aitken Jr. Mr. Aitken attended the dedication, and shared wonderful historical stories of the early Indians with us. The Kootenai Tribe is very appreciative and honored to receive this special public recognition of their ancestors.

Also attending the ceremony was Boundary Commissioner Wally Cossairt and chapter members and families.

This two-and-half-year project relied upon the help and support of the Idaho State Historical Museum, the Boundary County Historical Museum, University of Idaho professor of history Adam M. Sowards, Idaho Transportation Department, Idaho Granite Company, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Office of the Historian General, and the many hours of hard work and dedication of the local Wild Horse Trail Chapter NSDAR members.

The granite marker was placed next to the Wild Horse Trail story board and is strategically positioned to look northward to Canada, over the Paradise Valley, to help visitors from all over the world, view what was once the Historic Wild Horse Trail.