Methow
The Methow are a Native American group belonging to the Salishan language family, primarily located along the Methow River and Chelan Lake in eastern Washington. Historically, they engaged in a nomadic lifestyle, relying on hunting, fishing, and gathering seasonal foods, particularly salmon, while avoiding heavy agriculture. Their communities were relatively small, as their food-gathering practices required frequent movement. In the late 19th century, they faced displacement due to colonization efforts, resulting in their resettlement on the Colville Reservation in 1872 alongside the Colville nation. Today, the Methow are part of the federally recognized Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and have adapted to modern livelihoods through ranching, farming, and logging, while striving to maintain their Indigenous culture and language. They actively participate in initiatives for cultural preservation and environmental stewardship, supported by institutions like the Shafer Historical Museum. The Methow community emphasizes the importance of their history and identity as they navigate contemporary challenges.
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Methow
- CATEGORY: Tribe
- CULTURE AREA: Plateau
- LANGUAGE GROUP: Salishan
- PRIMARY LOCATION: Colville Reservation, Washington State
The Methow, a branch of the Salishan language family, lived along the Methow River and Chelan Lake in eastern Washington. A detached band, the Chilowhist, spent the winters on the Okanogan River. The Methow were related to another group called the Moses Columbia band. The name they called themselves is not known. “Methow” (pronounced Met how) was given to them by Whites after their location. Evidence suggests they migrated to Washington from Montana and Idaho in prehistoric times. The Methow lived in villages of varying sizes. Because they relied on hunting and fishing—salmon was a chief staple of their diet—as well as on gathering roots and berries, they moved throughout the year to find food in different seasons. This prevented the villages from growing and developing as political or social centers. The Methow do not seem to have relied too heavily on agriculture. They were skilled with horses and used them in their travels after food. Generally, Salishan nations enjoyed relatively peaceful lives and were involved in no protracted struggles with their neighbors. In the late nineteenth century, the Methow were pushed out by Whites who wanted their land. They were resettled on the Colville Reservation in Washington in 1872 with the Colville nation.
By the end of the twentieth century, the Methow lived much like their non-Indigenous American neighbors and made their living by raising cattle, farming, and logging. The Methow people remained committed to preserving their Indigenous culture and managing natural resources in the Methow Valley with the help of institutions such as the Shafer Historical Museum in Winthrop, Washington. These efforts continued into the twenty-first century. Most people who identify as Methow live primarily on the Colville Indian Reservation in Washington and are part of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. This nation is federally recognized. The Methow have undertaken myriad initiatives to preserve their language, history, and culture. As a nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation provide services to its members, including healthcare, education, and economic development through logging, ranching, and tourism. As part of the Confederated Tribes, the Methow have also participated in environmental programs to protect their ancestral lands.
Bibliography
"Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation." ArcGIS StoryMaps, storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/bb31cd48d0284fa59d6f454cafabe962. Accessed 21 Oct. 2024.
"Introducing: First Peoples of the Methow Map." Methow Valley Interpretive Center, www.methowvalleyinterpretivecenter.com/learn/methow-mapping-project. Accessed 21 Oct. 2024.
"The Methow People and their Lost Homeland." Shafer Historical Museum, www.shafermuseum.org/learn/lost-homeland-methow-valley-natives. Accessed 21 Oct. 2024.