200 years of Fort Colvile:
Reflections on a Complex History

This year marks the 200th anniversary of Hudson’s Bay Company establishing Fort Colvile [sic] near present-day Kettle Falls, Washington. It’s a milestone in the history of Northeast Washington—a moment to reflect not only on the fur trade and European expansion but also on the deep and lasting impacts on the Indigenous peoples who called this land home for thousands of years before the first trading post was built.

The Fur Trade and European Arrival

In 1825, Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) built Fort Colvile as a key fur trading post on the Columbia River. It quickly became one of the most important economic centers in the Pacific Northwest, facilitating trade between European traders and Indigenous nations. The fort was a hub for beaver pelts, salmon, and other valuable goods, linking the interior of what is now Washington State to global markets through the Columbia River trade route.

For HBC, Fort Colvile was a strategic location, helping the British maintain a presence in the region. It was also a supply center for the company’s network of forts, and its agricultural operations—particularly wheat farming—helped sustain traders and trappers throughout the region.

Indigenous Nations and the Impact of Colonization

Long before the arrival of the Hudson’s Bay Company, the Upper Columbia River was home to the Syilx (Okanagan), Sinixt, Kalispel, and other Salish-speaking peoples. The falls at Kettle Falls, a short distance from Fort Colvile, were one of the most significant salmon fishing sites in the entire Northwest, drawing tribes from across the region for generations.

The arrival of Fort Colvile changed everything. While some Indigenous people engaged in trade with HBC, gaining access to new goods, the fort also marked the beginning of profound disruptions. European diseases, loss of land, and increasing pressure on natural resources forever altered the way of life for these communities. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, government policies further displaced Indigenous peoples from their homelands, severing them from traditional food sources and cultural sites.

Remembering Fort Colvile in Context

Commemorating the 200th anniversary of Fort Colvile means acknowledging both the economic and historical significance of the post while also recognizing the displacement and hardship it contributed to for Indigenous nations. Rather than simply celebrating, this is a time to reflect, learn, and engage in meaningful dialogue about our region’s history.

The story of Fort Colvile is not just a fur trade story—it is a story of survival, adaptation, and resilience. Today, Indigenous communities continue to reclaim and revitalize their cultures, languages, and traditions, ensuring that the deep roots of the Upper Columbia River tribes endure despite the challenges of history.

As we look back at 200 years since the fort’s founding, we invite everyone to explore this complex past, listen to Indigenous perspectives, and consider how we can honor the full history of Northeast Washington.