Kathlamet facts for kids

The Kathlamet people were a Native American tribe who lived a long time ago in what is now southwestern Washington state. Their homeland was along the big Columbia River. They spoke a special language called Kathlamet, which was part of the larger Chinookan language family. Other tribes sometimes called them by different names, like "Guasámas" or "Kwillu'chini."

Who Were the Kathlamet People?

The Kathlamet people were a Native American tribe with a rich history. They lived in the area that is now southwestern Washington state. Their homes were built along the mighty Columbia River. The Kathlamet spoke their own language, which was a dialect of the Chinookan language. This language was unique to their people.

Life Along the Columbia River

The Kathlamet people lived along the Columbia River. They had villages on both sides of the river. On the south side, they lived between Tongue Point and Puget Island. On the north side, their homes stretched from the mouth of Grays Bay to a bit east of Oak Point.

Meeting Lewis and Clark

In 1805, the famous explorers Lewis and Clark met the Kathlamet people. They reported that about 300 Kathlamet lived in nine large plank houses on the south side of the Columbia River.

One of the explorers, Clark, wrote about meeting some Kathlamet people on November 11, 1805. He described how five of them came down the river in a canoe. The wind was very strong, and huge waves crashed against the shore. Clark was amazed by their skill. He wrote that these people were "certainly the best canoe navigators I ever saw." They even crossed the wide river, which was about 5 miles across, through very high waves. The explorers bought 13 red char fish from them, which they found to be very tasty.

A Glimpse into Their Villages

The Kathlamet people had several villages along the Columbia River. Here are some of the places they called home:

• Ika'naiak: This village was on the north side of the Columbia River. It was located near the mouth of Coal Creek Slough.
• Ilo'humin: This village was also on the north side of the Columbia River. It was across from Puget Island and near the mouth of Alockman Creek.
• Kathla'amat: This village was on the south side of the Columbia River. It was about 4 miles below Puget Island.
• Ta'nas ilu': This village was on Tanas Ilahee Island, also on the south side of the Columbia River.
• Wa'kaiyakam: This village was across Alockman Creek from Ilo'humin.

Changes Over Time

In early January 1806, the Kathlamet Chief Shahharwarcap visited Fort Clatsop with 11 other men. Around 1810, the Kathlamet people moved across the Columbia River. They joined another tribe called the Wahkiakums in a village. This village was located where the town of Cathlamet is today. By 1849, about 50 to 60 Kathlamet people remained.

Land and Legacy

On August 9, 1851, the Kathlamet people made an agreement with the United States. They gave up some of their lands. In return, they received money, clothing, and other goods. They were allowed to keep two small islands in the Columbia River. Later, on August 24, 1912, the Kathlamet people were given $7,000 for the loss of their lands.

Sadly, the last people who spoke the Kathlamet language passed away in the 1930s. Today, the Kathlamet tribe is no longer separate from the larger Chinook people. However, their history and legacy live on. For example, Queen Sally's Spring in Cathlamet, Washington is named after a former leader of the Kathlamet people. She used to share stories about her memories of Lewis and Clark when she was a young girl.