The New International Encyclopædia/Spokan

SPOKAN, spṓ-kān'. An Indian tribe of Salishan stock (q.v. ) formerly occupying the whole basin of Spokane River in Washington and Idaho, and now chiefly gathered upon reservations in the same States. They were visited in 1806 by Lewis and Clark, who call them Liartielo. In language, customs, and alliance they were closely connected with the Sanpoil (q.v.). All are now civilized and Christianized, about equally divided between Catholic and Protestant. The majority are reported to be thrifty and industrious, promising soon to become self-supporting and good citizens. They numbered about 700 in 1903.