Umatilla people facts for kids
The Umatilla are a group of Native American people. They traditionally lived in the northwestern United States. Their home was near the Umatilla River and Columbia River in the Columbia Plateau area. They speak a language called Sahaptin.
The Umatilla people call themselves Imatalamłáma. A single Umatilla person is called Imatalamłá. The word Umatilla might come from imatilám-hlama. Hlama means 'people of' or 'those living at'. The meaning of imatilám is still discussed. Some say it refers to an island in the Columbia River. Others say it was a village at the mouth of the Umatilla River. The Nez Perce people call the Umatilla hiyówatalampoo.
Contents
History of the Umatilla People
Early Life and Neighbors
The Umatilla nation lived near several other tribes. To their west were the Teninos. To the north, across the Columbia River, were the Klickitats and the Palouse. Also to the north were the Wasco-Wishram people.
The Umatilla had friendly relationships with the Cayuse and Walla Walla tribes to their east. However, their homeland did not have strong natural defenses. This meant they were sometimes attacked from the south by groups like the Bannocks and Paiutes.
Language and Culture
The Umatilla language is called Imatalamłaamí Sɨ́nwit. It is part of the Sahaptin language family. This family is a branch of the larger Penutian language group. The Umatilla language is closely related to the languages of other tribes. These tribes lived in what is now Eastern Oregon, Eastern Washington, and the Idaho panhandle.
These related tribes included the Nez Perce, Cayuse, Walla Walla, Palouse, and Yakama. In the early 1800s, many of these people became sick. They caught diseases like smallpox from European colonists. These diseases greatly affected their populations.
In 1855, the Sahaptin-speaking nations were asked to give up their traditional lands. They signed a treaty with the United States government. In return, they received special areas called reservations.
Life on the Reservation
Today, the Umatilla people share land and a government. They are part of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. This group also includes the Cayuse and Walla Walla tribes. Their reservation is located near Pendleton, Oregon. It is also close to the Blue Mountains.
Many places and natural features are named after the Umatilla tribe. These include the Umatilla River and Umatilla County. The Umatilla National Forest also carries their name. A part of the Columbia River, created by the John Day Dam, is called Lake Umatilla.
Notable Umatillas
- Donald McKay – A scout and leader of the Warm Springs Indians during the Modoc War.
- Shoni Schimmel – A player in the WNBA.
- Acosia Red Elk – A World Champion Jingle Dress Dancer and yoga instructor.
See also
In Spanish: Umatilla para niños
