Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Plateau

Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Plateau
Group	Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Plateau
Caption	Map showing approximate traditional territories of major Plateau groups.
Regions	Columbia Plateau, Interior Plateau
Languages	Plateau Penutian languages, Salishan languages, Chinookan languages
Religions	Traditional beliefs, Washat, Christianity
Related groups	Other Pacific Northwest peoples

Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Plateau are the First Nations and Native American peoples whose traditional territories and cultures are centered on the Columbia Plateau and the Interior Plateau of North America. This expansive region, defined by its river systems and semi-arid climate, stretches from the Rocky Mountains in the east to the Cascade Range in the west, encompassing parts of the modern Canadian province of British Columbia and the U.S. states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. For millennia, these diverse peoples developed sophisticated cultures intimately adapted to the seasonal rhythms of the land, with a subsistence base famously reliant on the abundant Pacific salmon runs of the Columbia River and its tributaries.

Geography and environment

The core of the Plateau region is defined by the watershed of the Columbia River and the Fraser River, which carve through landscapes ranging from deep river canyons like Hells Canyon to rolling sagebrush steppes and forested highlands. Key sub-regions include the Columbia Basin, the Okanagan Country, and the Thompson Country. This interior environment, lying in the rain shadow of the Coast Mountains and the Cascade Range, features hot, dry summers and cold winters, supporting ecosystems distinct from the wetter Pacific Northwest Coast. The annual runs of chinook salmon, sockeye salmon, and other anadromous fish in rivers such as the Snake River, the Salmon River, and the Okanagan River were the foundational economic and cultural resource, supplemented by hunting for species like mule deer and American bison on the eastern margins, and gathering of root crops like camas and biscuitroot.

History and archaeology

Archaeological evidence, including sites like the Marmes Rockshelter near the Palouse River and the Five Mile Rapids site at The Dalles, indicates human habitation for at least 11,000 years. A significant cultural horizon, termed the Plateau Horizon, emerged around 2,500 years ago, characterized by increased sedentism, pit-house villages, and intensive salmon exploitation. The region was a nexus of continental trade networks long before European contact, with centers like Kettle Falls and The Dalles (known as *Winquatt*) serving as major trading emporiums. The early 19th century brought direct contact through the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the fur trade led by the North West Company and the Hudson's Bay Company, and later incursions by American settlers, culminating in a series of conflicts and treaties such as the Treaty of 1855 negotiated by Isaac Stevens and the establishment of reservations including the Colville Indian Reservation, the Yakama Indian Reservation, and the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Culture and society

Plateau societies were typically organized into autonomous bands and villages, often led by respected chiefs and councils. Winter villages, composed of semi-subterranean pit houses, were situated along major rivers. The most significant spiritual and social ceremony was the First Foods feast, honoring the seasonal return of salmon, roots, and berries. Other important rituals included the Vision quest, seeking personal guardian spirits, and the Washat (Seven Drum Religion). Material culture was renowned for its practicality and beauty, featuring intricate cedar bark and Indian hemp weaving, sophisticated basketry from materials like tule and bear grass, and later, the adoption of the horse culture and parfleche containers from the Plains Indians. The construction and use of fishing weirs and platforms at prime sites demonstrated advanced ecological knowledge.

Languages

The linguistic diversity of the Plateau reflects its history as a cultural crossroads. Major language families include the Plateau Penutian languages (such as Sahaptin, Nez Perce, and Klamath-Modoc), the Salishan languages (including Interior Salish languages like Okanagan, Columbian, and Coeur d'Alene), and the Chinookan languages spoken near The Dalles. The now-extinct Cayuse language was an isolate. Chinook Jargon, a widespread trade pidgin, facilitated communication across ethnic boundaries.

Notable peoples and groups

Prominent historically recognized peoples include the Nez Perce (Nimiipuu), the Yakama, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (encompassing groups like the Colville, the Nespelem, and the Sanpoil), the Spokane, the Coeur d'Alene, and the Umatilla. Other significant groups are the Kalispel, the Kutenai (Ktunaxa), the Modoc, the Palus, the Wanapum, and the Walla Walla. Notable historical figures include the Nez Perce leader Chief Joseph, the Yakama leader Kamiakin, the Spokane leader Chief Spokane Garry, and the Modoc leader Kintpuash (Captain Jack).

Contemporary issues and revitalization

Modern Plateau peoples are engaged in significant efforts to assert treaty rights, revitalize cultures, and manage resources. Key legal and political battles have centered on fishing rights, affirmed in the landmark 1974 case United States v. Washington (the Boldt Decision), and the ongoing struggle to restore salmon populations through dam removal advocacy, such as on the Klamath River. Cultural revitalization is advanced through language immersion programs, the preservation of traditional arts, and the annual Chief Joseph Days rodeo. Tribes are also major economic players through enterprises like the Spokane Tribe Casino and the Muckleshoot Casino, while simultaneously addressing challenges related to environmental degradation, climate change impacts on salmon, and the legacy of the Indian boarding schools system.

Category:Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Plateau Category:Plateau tribes Category:Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Category:First Nations in British Columbia Category:Native American tribes in Washington (state) Category:Native American tribes in Oregon Category:Native American tribes in Idaho Category:Native American tribes in Montana