hu, ku ch-n’ułkhw.
The ancestral territory includes almost 5,000,000 acres of what is now north Idaho, eastern Washington and western Montana. Coeur d’Alene Indian villages were numerous and permanent, each village and the people there had a distinct name in the ancestral language. Collectively, members today call themselves, "Schitsu'umsh," meaning "Those Who Are Found Here."
to Coeur d'Alene welcome
Coeur d'Alene tribal path
We are the Natítayt (The People). We exercise our national sovereignty and preserve our cultural lifeways. We live in balance with the land as dictated by our traditional teachings. We acknowledge the wisdom of our elders and spiritual leaders. We are accountable to the Creator. As long as the earth shall last, there will be life. Our life is the land. We are the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla.
to Umatilla welcome
Umatilla tribal path
Yakamas have the largest land-base reservation and population of the Plateau tribes. Several Yakama headmen were treaty signers. Yakamas were autonomous peaceful people. They still gather medicine foods, hold first-food feasts, meet at the longhouses ceremonially, and keep the honor and social songs at contemporary gatherings.
to Yakama welcome
Yakama tribal path
Header photo used with permission from David Burton.