Colestah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Colestah
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| Born | 1800s |
| Died | 1865 |
| Known for |
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| Spouse(s) | One of the five wives of Chief Kamiakin |
Colestah was a brave and important woman from the Yakama Native American tribe. She was born around 1800 and passed away in 1865. Colestah was one of the five wives of Chief Kamiakin, a well-known leader of the Yakama people. She was known as a powerful medicine woman, also called a twati, and was also seen as a psychic. People also called her a "warrior woman" because she was very strong and courageous.
Contents
Colestah's Early Life
Colestah was the youngest daughter of Chief Tenax. Her father was a leader of the Klickitat tribe. She had three older sisters named Kem-ee-yowah, Why-luts-pum, and Hos-ke-la-pum. Colestah and Chief Kamiakin had two children together. Their sons were named Tomeo and Tomomolow (also called Tomolio).
Colestah: A Warrior and Healer
Colestah was not just a medicine woman; she was also a fierce warrior. On September 5, 1858, she joined Chief Kamiakin in a big fight. This battle was called the Battle of Four Lakes, or the Battle of Spokane Plains. They were fighting against Colonel George Wright and his soldiers.
Dressing for Battle
Colestah went to the battle armed with a stone war club. She promised to fight right beside her husband, Chief Kamiakin. She even dressed up for the battle in her "finest" buckskin dress. Her hair was braided tightly, showing her readiness to fight.
Healing Chief Kamiakin
During the battle, Chief Kamiakin was badly hurt. A large tree branch, knocked loose by a powerful cannon shell, hit him. Colestah quickly carried him away from the fighting. She took him back to their family camp, which was located near the Spokane River. There, she used her special skills as an "Indian doctor." She used traditional tribal medicine to help him heal and get better.
Later Life and Passing
After the battle, Colestah and Kamiakin moved their home. In 1860, they went to a camp near the Palouse River. This area is between what are now the towns of St. John and Endicott in Washington state. Their family followed the traditional ways of life. They would move with the seasons to dig for roots, gather berries, and fish for salmon.
In 1864, Colestah and Kamiakin had another son, whom they named Tomolow. Sadly, Colestah became sick the next year. She passed away in 1865.
See also
In Spanish: Colestah para niños
