Sinkiuse-Columbia facts for kids
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
 United States (Washington) |
|
| Languages | |
| English, Columbia | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Colville, Sanpoil, Nespelem, Sinixt, Wenatchi, Entiat, Methow, Southern Okanagan, Palus, Nez Perce of Chief Joseph's band, and Pisquow |
The Sinkiuse-Columbia are a Native American tribe. They are named for their strong connection to the Columbia River. This group is part of the Salishan language family. Their closest relatives are the Wenatchi and Methow tribes. The Sinkiuse people call themselves Sinkiuse. They also use names like .tskowa'xtsEnux or .skowa'xtsEnEx. These names might mean something about a "main valley."
The Sinkiuse-Columbia Indians were known by several other names, including:
- Bo'tcaced: This name was given by the Nez Perce. It likely means "arrows" or "arrow people."
- Papspê'lu: Another Nez Perce name, meaning "firs" or "fir-tree people."
- Isle-de-Pierre: This French name means "rock island." It was given by French Canadian workers in the fur trade.
- Middle Columbia Salish: This name was used by researchers Teit and Spier.
- Sa'ladebc: This was probably the name used by the Snohomish.
- Suwa'dabc: A Snohomish name for all tribes living inland. It means "inland people."
- swa'dab.c: The Twana tribe used this name for all inland groups. It also means "inland people."
- swa'namc: The Nooksack used this name for inland tribes. It means "inland people."
- Ti'attluxa: This name came from the Wasco Chinook people.
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Where the Sinkiuse-Columbia Lived
The Sinkiuse people lived along the Columbia River. Their homeland stretched from Crab Creek up to the Wenatchee River. A main part of their territory was around Moses Coulee. In the 1870s, they were described as living on the east and south sides of the Columbia River. This area went from the Grand Coulee down to Priest's Rapids.
How Many Sinkiuse-Columbia People Were There?
In 1905, about 355 Sinkiuse people were counted. This number changed over time. In 1908, there were 299, and by 1990, about 540 people were counted. Some experts believe there were many more Sinkiuse people long ago. One estimate suggests around 10,000 Sinkiuse and Pisquow people lived together. This was before diseases like smallpox reached them.
Sinkiuse-Columbia Family Groups
The Sinkiuse-Columbia tribe had different family groups or bands. Here are some of them:
- .nkee'us or .s.nkeie'usox: This group lived in the Umatilla Valley.
- Stata'ketux: These people lived near White Bluffs on the Columbia River.
- .tskowa'xtsEnux or .skowa'xtsFnEx: This group was also known as the Moses-Columbia or Moses Band. They were named after their leader, Chief Moses.
- Other bands included the Sinkumkunatkuh and SinkolkolumInuh. There were also the Stapi'sknuh, Skukulat'kuh, Skoáhchnuh, Skihlkintnuh, and Skultagchi'mh. These groups lived along Crab Creek and up to the Wenatchee River.
- The Sinkowarsin, a group met in 1811, might have been another Sinkiuse band.
Life on Reservations
When reservations were first created, the Sinkiuse people lived on the Columbia Reservation. After this reservation closed, they moved. They were then overseen by the Colville Agency. Today, the Moses-Columbia Band lives in the southern part of the Colville Indian Reservation.
Sinkiuse-Columbia Language
The Sinkiuse-Columbia people traditionally spoke a language called Columbia-Moses. This language is a Southern dialect of the Interior Salish language family. Other tribes, like the Pisquow, Wenatchi, and Methow, also spoke similar Interior Salish Southern dialects.
