Cowlitz Indian Tribe facts for kids
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Traditional Cowlitz territory
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| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 3500 + enrolled members | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( Washington) |
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| Languages | |
| English, Cowlitz | |
| Religion | |
| traditional tribal religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Cowlitz people |
The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is a group of Cowlitz people. They are officially recognized by the United States government as a federally recognized tribe. This means they have a special relationship with the government.
The Cowlitz are a type of indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest. They come from the Southwestern Coast Salish and Sahaptan groups. Today, they live in the state of Washington.
Other Cowlitz people are also part of different tribes. Some are members of the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation. Others belong to the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakima Nation. You can also find Cowlitz people in the Quinault Indian Nation.
Cowlitz Indian Reservation
The Cowlitz Reservation is a special area of land. It was officially created in 2010. This land is set aside for the Cowlitz Indian Tribe.
The reservation is about 152 acres in size. It is located near a town called Ridgefield. This area is in Clark County, Washington.
Building for the Future: Economic Development
The Cowlitz Indian Tribe has worked hard to create new opportunities. They built the Ilani Casino Resort. This large resort has ten different restaurants. It also includes a hotel for visitors. The resort is located close to Ridgefield, Washington.
The History of the Cowlitz Tribe
The Cowlitz people have a long and interesting history. For many years, they traded goods with other tribes. Later, they also traded with European Americans.
In the 1800s, the United States made agreements called treaties with tribes. However, the treaties made with the Cowlitz were not approved by the U.S. government. Some of these agreements were also not fair to the Cowlitz people.
In 1906, the tribe started formal talks with the United States. This was led by their chief, Chief Atwin Stockum. Since 1950, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe has had its own government. This government has an elected tribal council.
The tribe worked for many years to be officially recognized by the U.S. government. This "federal recognition" was confirmed in 2000. It was then confirmed again in 2002. This recognition is very important for the tribe.
