KOOTENAI COUNTY, Idaho --- Coeur d’Alene City and tribal leaders dedicated a statue honoring one of the Coeur d'Alene tribe’s most prominent chiefs.
Long before there were bike paths and boats, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe would gather where Lake Coeur d'Alene met with the Spokane River.
The area was a historical gathering place for the tribe. Meetings here were overseen by Chief Morris Antelope.
"To be right here in our homelands is special,” Tribal Chairman Chief James Allan said.
Chief Morris was a strong advocate for the rights of the Coeur d'Alene Indians.
His great, great grandson is current Tribal Chairman Chief James Allan.
"He was a warrior. So that warrior blood runs through my family,” Allan said.
To honor the tribe's legacy, the city of Coeur d'Alene last year began looking at a piece of public art to grace this area near the Centennial trail by North Idaho College.
After considering several submissions, a depiction of Chief Morris was the clear favorite.
“We have such a great relationship with the CDA tribe. I think we're all proud to be able to collaborate with them,” Coeur d’Alene Deputy City Administrator Sam Taylor said.
The statue was created by a local artist as well. Chief Allan was not the only descendent on hand for Monday's dedication.
There were eight generations of tribal members at the event. All with ties to Chief Morris Antelope.
"Everything we do, no matter what color we are, is about family. It's about the sacrifices our family made for us,” Allan said.
