easonal villages occupied every available site near the rapids, cascades and falls of the mid-Columbia during the spectacular salmon runs of this pre-dam river. This stretch of river which cuts through the Cascade Mountains differs from the lower river to the west and from the plateau country to the east in the density and ready availability of fish resources and in the dry east wind that was crucial to preserving the salmon. Some of the village occupants claimed the lands along the river as their territory and others were visitors who joined allies during the salmon runs.

Map showing locations of tribes at contact period. (Suttles:1990, and Walker:1998)
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Physiographic map of cascades area of Columbia River, adapted from Raisz:1959 CLICK TO ENLARGE

Marked on the west by the Cowlitz River and to the east by Celilo Falls, this area was predominantly occupied by extended family bands of people who spoke dialects of the Chinookan language. The northwestern portion of the area included Salishan speakers. The eastern extent of this region was co-occupied by Chinookan and Sahaptin speakers. Some of these villages were mixed groups of multi-lingual occupants, bound together through complex trade relationships and intermarriage. These groups, like the villages downriver, followed the lead of a head-person who was selected on the basis of strong and responsible leadership.

Click here to view chart of tribal names and locations.

Lewis and Clark recorded dozens of villages along these rapids and cascades. They recognized that some of the villages shared a bond with others, so they named village groups "tribes" and the collective groups "nations." Most of these names are not recognizable today, in some cases, even to descendants.

Through the treaties of 1855, the children and grandchildren of the people met by Lewis and Clark were forcefully relocated onto various reservations depending upon which side of the river they occupied and which treaty their ancestors signed. Today they live on the Grande Ronde, Warm Springs and Umatilla Reservations in Oregon and primarily on the Yakama Reservation in Washington, as well as in the cities.

What Endures for Peoples Along the Cascades...

First Salmon Ceremony, salmon preparation and cooking for the feast, Celilo Village. Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission

Many traditions of the various groups who once lived along the rapids and cascades of the Columbia continue today. Perhaps the most notable is salmon fishing as demonstrated in the longhouse at Celilo Village, where the First Salmon Ceremony is conducted each spring.

This same ceremony and other celebrations of the first foods of the season are carried out in longhouses throughout the region. Lewis and Clark had only a glimpse of these rich cultures, which have continued to grow, change and adapt.

It is interesting to learn how people once lived. However, to understand these native peoples of Washington and Oregon, other people - non-Indians - need to look for aspects of native cultures that have endured. Despite being forced off the river and having to adjust to living within the confines of the lands they reserved, these people still cherish their cultural traditions.

Learn from tribal members about some enduring aspects of cultural life including language, foods and social traditions: