Cowlitz
The Cowlitz are a Native American tribe historically situated in the Pacific Northwest, particularly around the region's streams, which were vital for their fishing practices. They primarily relied on local resources for sustenance, including the eulachon fish, which was dried for trade, and a variety of plants such as camas, berries, tubers, and nuts, all of which could be stored for future use. Cowlitz social structure was notably stratified, and they utilized canoes and rafts for transportation on water. Their dwellings were crafted from split hewn cedar and often housed multiple families, reflecting communal living practices. The tribe is part of the Salishan language family and has a rich cultural heritage that has faced significant challenges over time. European contact began in the early 19th century, and subsequent treaties in the mid-1800s led to a drastic decline in their population and land rights. Despite these historical hardships, the Cowlitz have persevered, and their story involves ongoing efforts for recognition and compensation related to their historical land loss.
On this Page
Cowlitz
- CATEGORY: Tribe
- CULTURE AREA: Northwest Coast
- LANGUAGE GROUP: Salishan
- PRIMARY LOCATION: Lower and middle course of Cowlitz River, Washington
- POPULATION SIZE: 4,100 (2017, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Cowlitz Tribe)
The socially stratified Cowlitz were dependent upon the local streams where they located their permanent villages for fishing. Eulachon, when dried, was a valuable trade fish. Inland game was also fully exploited for food and needed by-products. The Cowlitz harvested great amounts of camas, which stored well—as did numerous types of berries, tubers, and nuts. Canoes and rafts were utilized for water transport. Dwellings were of split-hewn cedar and housed as many as ten families. The Cowlitz spoke a language from the Salishan language family.
In 1812, the first fur traders, from Astoria, penetrated Cowlitz territory, and by 1833, the Hudson’s Bay Company regularly used the Cowlitz Trail. The company established the Cowlitz Farm in 1839. The 1850 Treaty of Washington and the Oregon Donation Act of 1850 permitted European Americans to enter and exploit the region. The estimated Cowlitz population of a thousand declined to 105 by 1910.
The Cowlitz were not compensated for the loss of their lands until hearings held by the Indian Claims Commission in 1960 and 1969. The Cowlitz award was held in trust until 1988. In the twenty-first century, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, which has its headquarters in Longview, Washington, provides services to its members and works to preserve its cultural heritage. The Cowlitz also operate the ilani Casino Resort, which provides revenue to support the Cowlitz programs.
Bibliography
“Cowlitz Indian Tribe.” BIA.gov, www.bia.gov/sites/default/files/dup/assets/as-ia/raca/pdf/44%20-%20Cowlitz%20Indian%20Tribe.pdf. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
Dupres, Christine. “Today She Sits among Them: Spiritual Leadership, Continuity, and Renewal in the Cowlitz Indian Tribe.” Wicazo Sa Review, vol. 21, no, 1, 2013, pp. 77-99. Project MUSE, muse.jhu.edu/article/506189. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
Dupres, Christine Joy. Being Cowlitz: How One Tribe Renewed and Sustained Its Identity. University of Washington Press, 2014.
Engdahl, Tanna. “Our Story.” Cowlitz Indian Tribe, www.cowlitz.org/our-story. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
Wiggins, Eugene A. "That the People May Live: The Cowlitz Tribe's Journey of Peace and Justice." Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology, vol. 1, no. 2, Sept. 2007, pp. 44–53. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=33646039&site=ehost-live. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.