A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis, serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. © James Conner.
Just 45 days ago, ownership of Kerr Dam was transferred to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, who renamed it the Salish-Kootenai Dam. That seemed like a good choice.
But not good enough, it turns out. The dam has yet another new name, reports the Missoulian, the Séliš, Ksanka and QÍispé Dam, the rough pronunciation of which is “SEH-leesh, k-SAHN-kah and qw-leese-PEH Dam.” That’s followed by a pause to untangle your tongue.
Take it from me: virtually everyone will call it either the SKQ Dam or, to honor the name’s multitude of glyphs, the Diacritical Dam.