Wanapum

Wanapum. The Wanapum are a Native American people whose traditional territory is centered along the Columbia River in what is now central Washington. They are a Plateau Penutian people, closely related to neighboring groups like the Yakama, Palus, and Nez Perce. Historically a river-oriented people, their culture and subsistence were deeply tied to the Columbia River and its abundant resources, particularly salmon.

History

The ancestral homeland of the Wanapum stretched along the Columbia River from approximately the Priest Rapids down to the Hanford Site. Their history is intrinsically linked to the river's ecology, with key villages like P'na, located near Vantage, Washington, serving as important social and ceremonial centers. Early contact with Europeans came indirectly through trade networks before direct encounters with the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805, which they observed but cautiously avoided. The mid-19th century brought increased pressure from American settlers, but the Wanapum, under leaders like Smohalla, largely avoided signing the 1855 Treaty of Walla Walla and subsequent conflicts like the Yakima War. This choice allowed them to remain in their ancestral lands but left them without a formal reservation or federal recognition. The 20th century brought profound challenges, most significantly the construction of the Priest Rapids Dam in the 1950s, which flooded their primary village and most important fishing sites at Priest Rapids.

Culture and religion

Traditional Wanapum culture is a quintessential Plateau culture, with a spiritual and economic life revolving around the annual salmon run and other river resources. Their most defining cultural and religious practice is the Washat, also known as the Seven Drums Religion. This faith, revitalized by the prophet Smohalla in the late 19th century, emphasizes traditional prayers, ceremonial dances, and a deep reverence for the natural world. Central ceremonies include the First Foods feast, honoring the salmon, roots, and berries, and the Pah-Loots-Pu ceremony for the safety of fishermen. The religion serves as a powerful force for cultural continuity and identity. Unlike many neighboring tribes, the Wanapum did not traditionally engage in horse culture or buffalo hunting to a significant degree, maintaining their focus on the riverine environment.

Language

The Wanapum speak a dialect of Sahaptin, a language belonging to the Plateau Penutian family. Their specific dialect is closely related to, but distinct from, the dialects spoken by the Yakama and Nez Perce. The language is critically endangered, with very few fluent elders remaining. Efforts at language preservation are ongoing, often in collaboration with programs at institutions like the University of Washington and through the cultural work of the Wanapum Heritage Center. Documentation of the language was contributed by early ethnographers including James Teit and Melville Jacobs.

Contemporary status

The Wanapum are not a federally recognized tribe, a status stemming from their historical decision not to sign a treaty with the United States government. They are organized as the **Wanapum Band**, a state-recognized group, and maintain their community and governance near Mattawa, Washington. Their relationship with the Grant County Public Utility District, which operates the Priest Rapids Dam, is central to their modern existence; a formal agreement provides them access to sacred sites and supports cultural programs. The Wanapum Heritage Center, located adjacent to the dam, is a vital institution for preserving and sharing their history and culture. Contemporary issues include ongoing efforts to protect ancestral sites, such as those within the Hanford Reach National Monument, and to maintain their fishing rights and cultural practices along the altered Columbia River.

Notable Wanapum people

* Smohalla: The visionary spiritual leader and prophet who revitalized the Washat religion in the late 19th century, becoming a central figure of the Dreamer Movement that influenced many Plateau tribes. * Johnny Buck: A respected 20th-century cultural leader and drummer who played a crucial role in preserving and teaching the Seven Drums Religion and traditional songs. * Rex Buck Jr.: A contemporary leader and former director of the Wanapum Heritage Center, instrumental in cultural preservation, education, and maintaining the band's agreements with the Grant County PUD.

Category:Native American tribes in Washington (state) Category:Plateau tribes Category:Columbia River