Wishram
The Wishram are a small tribe of Indigenous Americans from the Northwest Coast, primarily located along the Columbia River in the Oregon/Washington region. Historically, they inhabited the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains, particularly near the confluence of the Deschutes and Columbia Rivers. Evidence suggests that their culture has existed in the area for at least nine thousand years, with significant archaeological sites in the Hood River region. Following the construction of several dams, many traditional fishing and village sites were submerged, leading to the loss of some cultural landmarks, including ancient petroglyphs that are now hidden underwater.
Wishram culture is rich in storytelling and basketry, featuring a notable collection of Coyote tales that highlight their oral traditions. In the late 19th and 20th centuries, outside pressures, including settlement and federal policies, diluted their cultural identity as they were placed within larger reservations alongside other Indigenous groups. Today, many Wishram people may be found on the Confederated Warm Springs Reservation or as part of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. The Wishram's historical and contemporary experiences reflect the broader challenges faced by Indigenous communities in preserving their cultural heritage amidst external influences.
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Wishram
- CATEGORY: Tribe
- CULTURE AREA: Northwest Coast
- LANGUAGE GROUP: Chinookan (Penutian)
- PRIMARY LOCATION: Columbia River, Oregon/Washington coast
The Wishram, a small southern tribe of Northwest Coast Indigenous Americans, originally lived on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains along the Deschutes River, due south of the confluence of the Deschutes with the Columbia River at The Dalles. Archaeological evidence suggests that Wishram culture was present in the Hood River area toward the Willamette Valley at least nine thousand years ago.
Historic village sites and traditional fishing areas were flooded by the Bonneville, The Dalles, and John Day dams. Many rimrock petroglyphs are now underwater and visible only to scuba divers. Tsagaglalal, an elaborate and impressive Indigenous American petroglyph on the north side of the Columbia River, also remains visible. The site is commonly known simply as “Wishram” and is at the head of Five-Mile Rapids.
In addition to rock carving, Wishram culture was articulated through basketry and storytelling. The Wishram tell a full complement of Coyote tales, including the cycle of Coyote tales going east up the Columbia River. Linguist Edward Sapir collected many Wishram Coyote tales in the notable Wishram Texts (1909).
Wishram culture was diluted in the nineteenth century by the location of the group at the western terminus of the Oregon Trail. It was the poor luck of the Wishram to be situated in superior and coveted farmland. Wishram culture was diluted further in the twentieth century by the federal policy of creating reservations consisting of multiple Indigenous groups in areas where bands were small and varied. The Wishram, with nine other Indigenous groups, may live on the Confederated Warm Springs Reservation in north-central Oregon near the southern banks of the Columbia River. However, this group may be descendants of the closely-related Wasco Indigenous Americans. Other Wishram are believed to be enrolled members of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation in Washington state.
Bibliography
Banyasz, Malin Grunberg. "Columbia Hills Historical State Park, Washington." Archaeology Magazine, May/June 2017, archaeology.org/issues/may-june-2017/off-the-grid/trenches-washington-columbia-hills/. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.
“History of the Wishram Indian Tribe.” GorgeConnection.com, www.gorgeconnection.com/gorge/wishram-indian-tribe.php. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.
Lee, Kathyrn. “Indians of Eastern Oregon.” NPS History, 9 Jan. 2000, npshistory.com/publications/joda/lee.htm. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.
“Yakama Nation History.” Yakama Nation, www.yakama.com/about. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.
"Wasco and Wishram." Native Land Digital, 31 July 2022, native-land.ca/maps/territories/wasco-and-wishram. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.