hu, ku ch-n’ułkhw. The ancestral territory includes almost 5,000,000 acres of what is now north Idaho, eastern Washington and western Montana. Coeur d’Alene Indian villages were numerous and permanent, each village and the people there had a distinct name in the ancestral language. Collectively, members today call themselves, "Schitsu'umsh," meaning "Those Who Are Found Here."
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 Coeur d'Alene tribal path |
The Colville Confederated Tribes are comprised of 12 bands which include, the Moses-Columbia, San poil, Nespelem, Methow, Entiat, Colville, Lakes, Wenatchee (Wenatchi), Chief Joseph’s Band of Nez Perce, Palus, Southern Okanogan, and Chelan. Our ancestral lands incorporated approximately thirty nine million acres in Central Washington and Southern British Columbia. Our ancestors made their living off the land, following the seasons and the resources. We govern our people in unity, maintain our ancestral ways, and strive to document our history.
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Colville tribal path |
sqeliz – The People. The Spokane Tribe is comprised of five bands: sntu/t/uliz, snzmeme/, scqesciOni, sl/otewsi, hu, sDmqeni. Our traditional homelands span most of present day Eastern Washington: north to Canada, east to Idaho, south to the Columbia River, and as far west as the Cascades. We shared this land and resources with the many tribes of the Plateau region and beyond. We honor our ancestors as we continue to practice traditional lifeways and customs that have been passed down through the knowledge and experiences of our tribal elders.
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Spokane tribal path |
We are the Natítayt (The People). We exercise our national sovereignty and preserve our cultural lifeways. We live in balance with the land as dictated by our traditional teachings. We acknowledge the wisdom of our elders and spiritual leaders. We are accountable to the Creator. As long as the earth shall last, there will be life. Our life is the land. We are the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla.
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to Umatilla welcome |
Umatilla tribal path |
Yakamas have lived in Central and South Central Washington since time immemorial. They are one segment of several tribes comprising the Plateau culture of Native Americans in the Northwestern United States. Yakamas continue spiritual practices like the sweat house cleansing in preparation for traditional life way activities like medicine food gathering and participating in seasonal first-food feasts of thanks and respect to other beings with whom we share Mother Earth. Yakamas continuously strive to keep these life-way laws handed down from the Creator.
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to Yakama welcome |
Yakama tribal path |
Header photo used with permission from David Burton.