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Montana Tribes Rename Former Kerr Dam Again

Tribal Council has voted to rename the newly named Salish Kootenai Dam to include Pend d'Oreille

By Tristan Scott
Kerr Dam on August 13, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council has voted to rename the newly named Salish Kootenai Dam in hopes of being more inclusive.

The Missoulian reports that the council voted Oct. 2 to rename the hydroelectric facility on the Flathead River the Selis, Ksanka and Qlispe (SEH-leesh, k-SAHN-kah and qw-leese-PEH) Dam.

Tribal officials say the new name represents the Pend d’Oreille as well as Salish and Kootenai. All three tribes make up the confederation.

Ownership of the dam passed over to the tribes in September after tribal officials paid $18 million to NorthWestern Energy.

Officials say Energy Keepers Inc., the company that’s operating the dam, will file the name change with the Federal Regulatory Commission later this week.

There will be an audio clip of the correct pronunciation of the dam’s name at energykeepersinc.com.

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