Nespelem people facts for kids
Nespelem woman, photo by Curtis, 1911
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| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
 United StatesUnited States (Washington) |
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| Languages | |
| English, Salishan, Interior Salish | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Colville, Sanpoil, Sinixt, Palus, Wenatchi, Entiat, Methow, Southern Okanagan, Sinkiuse-Columbia, and the Nez Perce of Chief Joseph's band |
The Nespelem people are one of twelve Native American tribes that are part of the Colville Indian Reservation in eastern Washington. They used to live mainly along the Nespelem River, which flows into the Columbia River. This area is now called Nespelem, Washington, and it's on the Colville Indian Reservation. Sometimes their name is spelled Nespelim or Nespilim.
Contents
Who Are the Nespelem People?
The Nespelem people are part of a larger group called the Interior Salish. This group also includes many other tribes. Some of these are the Okanagan, Sinixt, Wenatchi, Sanpoil, Spokan, Kalispel, Pend d'Oreilles, Coeur d'Alene, and Flathead peoples.
Meeting European Explorers
In 1811, a British explorer named David Thompson traveled along the Columbia River and the Sanpoil River. He was working for the North West Company. Thompson wrote about the Native American tribes he met in what is now Canada and Washington State.
He mentioned the "Inspaelis," which was the Nespelem tribe. Thompson said that the Nespelem people welcomed him and his group warmly. He used two Sanpoil scouts as interpreters, who spoke a similar language.
Daily Life and Traditions
Thompson wrote in his journal about the Nespelem people's customs. They wore shells as decorations on their clothes. Their clothing was made from buffalo robes and skins from muskrats and black-tailed deer. If these were not available, they wore less clothing.
Nespelem women painted their faces and wore shells in their hair. Some also wore copper jewelry. Their neighbors, the Sanpoil, lived in huts made from light poles covered with mats woven from rushes. The Nespelem likely had similar homes.
When a group was leaving for a journey, the whole tribe would gather. The Chief would ask them to dance. They would perform a special dance, throwing their arms in the air and clapping. This dance was done three times, with a chanted song. The Chief would then give a blessing before the group left.
What They Ate
Like other Native American tribes in the Northwest, the Nespelem ate a variety of foods. They often caught salmon by building a weir (a type of fence) in the river. They would roast or dry the salmon.
Their diet also included boiled roots from plants like bitterroot (Lewisia spp), white root, and "Ectooway" (Helianthus tuberosus). They also ate arrow wood berries. Sometimes, they hunted marmots or other small animals to add to their meals.
Nespelem Villages
The Nespelem people lived in several villages. Here are some of them:
- Haimisahun: This was a summer village for the Suspiluk group. It was on the north bank of the Columbia River, about half a mile above the mouth of the Nespelem River.
- Masmasalimk: This was home to the Smasmasalimkuwa group. It was about a mile and a half above Skik.
- Nekuktshiptin: This village was home to the Snekuktshiptimuk group. It was located where Condon's Ferry is now, on the north side of the river.
- Nspilem: This was the main home of the Snspiluk group. It was along the lower Nespelem River, from the falls to where the river meets the Columbia.
- Salkuahuwithl: This village was home to the Wallakazam group. It was across the river from where the town of Barry is today.
- Skik: This village was about a mile above Salkuahuwithl, on the same side of the river.
- Skthlamchin: These were fishing grounds for the Salkuahuwithlau group. They were across the river from the mouth of the Grand Coulee.
