Cowlitz Tribe of Washington: A Story of Resilience and Tradition
Hey there, history buffs and culture enthusiasts! Ever heard of the Cowlitz Tribe? These fascinating people have a rich history in Washington State, and their story is definitely worth a deep dive. Let’s take a laid-back stroll through their past, present, and traditions.
Who Are the Cowlitz, Anyway?
The Cowlitz Tribe is a group of indigenous people who originally spoke their own unique language, part of the Salishan family of languages. Think of it as their special dialect within a bigger language family tree. Over time, some of the Cowlitz, especially those living in the upper regions, picked up Sahaptin, a language spoken east of the Cascade Mountains.
Historically, you’d find the Cowlitz hanging out along the Cowlitz and Lewis Rivers. They were even regulars at Fort Vancouver back in the day.
Life Before… Well, Everything Changed
Imagine life before smartphones, cars, and even modern borders. The Cowlitz lived in villages scattered along the rivers that flowed into the Columbia River watershed. These rivers weren’t just pretty scenery; they were superhighways! The Cowlitz were master canoe builders, crafting efficient vessels to navigate these waterways.
They were also resourceful AF! From the mountains to the lowlands, they harvested everything they needed from nature: trees, plants, stones, animals—you name it. These resources were turned into homes, canoes, clothing, food, tools, and even weapons. Talk about living off the land!
Because their territory was so vast, different dialects popped up. But, get this, the Cowlitz were total language pros. They intermarried between villages, which meant they were constantly exchanging languages. This made them awesome traders, fluent in multiple tongues. They’d cruise the rivers in their snub-nosed canoes (perfect for those tricky rapids) and barter stuff like slaves, horses, food, animal skins, and cool handmade baskets. They also traded through games, horse racing, and pow-wows. Pretty lively, right?
Traditions and Beliefs: More Than Just Rituals
The Cowlitz had a deep spiritual connection to the world around them. Each village had its own religious practices and ceremonies for harvests and special events. These weren’t just empty rituals; they involved heartfelt prayers (spoken, sung, or meditated), dances, and songs, all aimed at ensuring a good food supply and warding off bad vibes.
Harvest ceremonies were big celebrations with storytelling, drumming, prayer songs, and even games for the kiddos. Potlatch ceremonies, like weddings, births, and naming ceremonies, often featured pow-wow dances. It was all about community and connection.
They also used sweat lodges to cleanse their bodies and minds. These sessions were made even more sacred with sage and cedar, accompanied by songs and prayers. Talk about a spiritual detox!
Becoming a Cowlitz Adult: The Vision Quest
When Cowlitz youths hit adolescence, they embarked on fasting quests to find a spirit guide. These quests were all about self-discovery and connecting with the spirit world. They’d head out into the wilderness to seek visions. The signs they encountered were seen as messages from the spirits, and how they responded was considered a crucial part of the journey.
People also sought individual spiritual guidance for a good life, family, and village. These quests were a way to gain personal insight and spiritual connection through fasting, prayer, and meditation. Any insights or skills gained were seen as gifts from the spirit world. Pretty cool, huh?
Unique Practices: Head Flattening and Basket Weaving
Here’s a couple of unique things the Cowlitz were known for: head flattening and basket weaving. Head flattening was seen as a mark of freedom and intellect. Basically, they’d place an infant on a wooden board and apply pressure to the forehead, resulting in a distinctive head shape.
And let’s talk about those baskets! The Cowlitz were skilled weavers, creating coiled baskets with strong geometric designs. They used materials like bear grass, cedar root, and cedar bark. These baskets weren’t just pretty; they were used to gather berries and fruits. They even used natural dyes from fruits and veggies like beets and blackberries to add pops of color.
The Arrival of Outsiders: A Turning Point
The first recorded encounters between the Cowlitz and Europeans happened around 1811 with agents from the Pacific Fur Company. Things got more intense when the Canadian-owned North West Company (which bought out the Pacific Fur Company) sent hunters and trappers, including Iroquois Indians, up the Cowlitz River.
Enter Simon Plamondon, a French-Canadian dude from Quebec. He arrived in 1813 and ended up working for the North West Company. In 1818, he explored the Cowlitz River and was captured by the Lower Cowlitz band. But here’s where the story gets interesting: Chief Scanewa decided to make Plamondon his slave.
To prove his loyalty, Plamondon traded goods for furs. Eventually, he gained the tribe’s trust and married Chief Scanewa’s daughter, Thas-e-muth. They had four kids and when Chief Scanewa passed away, Plamondon inherited a bunch of land and settled down on the Cowlitz Prairie. Talk about a plot twist!
Hudson’s Bay Company and the Epidemic
In 1821, the Hudson’s Bay Company absorbed the North West Company, and Plamondon continued working as a trapper and voyageur. This opened up Cowlitz country to trade with the natives.
But things took a dark turn in 1829 and 1830 when a devastating epidemic, likely a severe Asian influenza, swept through the region. Villages became scenes of sickness and death. The disease, brought in by an American ship, decimated the Cowlitz population.
Plamondon stayed with the Hudson’s Bay Company until 1837. In 1838, he oversaw the building of Cowlitz Farm under the Puget Sound Agricultural Company, a subsidiary of the Hudson’s Bay Company.
Missionaries and Land Conflicts
The first attempt to convert the Cowlitz to Christianity came from Herbert Beaver, an Anglican missionary who arrived at Fort Vancouver in 1836. He wanted to work with the Cowlitz tribe, but tensions with John McLoughlin, the head of Fort Vancouver, got in the way. Beaver and his wife eventually returned to London.
Later, Catholic missionaries, like François N. Blanchet, tried their hand at converting the Cowlitz. But they were discouraged when the tribe didn’t fully embrace Catholicism and held onto their traditional spirituality.
With the arrival of American settlers, conflicts over land claims exploded. The 1846 Oregon Treaty gave the U.S. government control over former British lands. Washington governor Isaac Stevens tried to negotiate treaties with the tribes, but his refusal to listen to the Cowlitz leader’s concerns led to the treaty never being signed.
Around this time, another fever hit the tribe, and Stevens’ assistant, George Gibbs, noted that the Cowlitz were "fast disappearing." Ouch.
Fighting for Their Rights
The Cowlitz chiefs wanted to cooperate with the federal government and establish a permanent territory. They negotiated two treaties in the mid-1800s, but Congress didn’t ratify the first one. In 1855, during a second treaty session, the Cowlitz refused to sign a document that would eliminate their rights to their homelands and relegate them to the Quinault reservation. This led to the U.S. government taking their territory and resources without their consent.
This sparked the Indian Wars of 1855-1856. The Cowlitz remained neutral because the government promised them reservation lands if they stayed peaceful. But when they returned home, they found their land destroyed and property stolen. Talk about a raw deal!
The Four Tribal Groups
The Cowlitz people were divided into four main groups:
- Upper Cowlitz: Mountain dwellers who lived in the upper meadows and prairies. They were skilled hunters of mountain goats and weavers of goat hair into blankets and clothing.
- Lower Cowlitz: Known as "The People Who Seek Their Medicine Spirit." They occupied villages along the Lower Cowlitz and Toutle Rivers.
- Lewis River Cowlitz: Considered a regional group of the Taidnapam, now part of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation.
- Mountain Cowlitz: Lived between the Upper Chehalis River and the Willapa Hills.
Modern Times: Recognition and Revival
In 1906, the tribe began formal political relations with the United States. In 1912, they reorganized and revived many cultural traditions. In 1924, Frank Iyall served as a delegate to Congress for the American Indian Citizenship Act and fought for the recognition of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe.
The Cowlitz Indian Tribe has had its constitutional elective tribal council system of government since 1950.
After years of struggle, the Cowlitz were finally federally acknowledged in February 2000, which was reaffirmed in 2002. They established the 152-acre Cowlitz Reservation in 2010 near Ridgefield, Washington. The tribe is headquartered in Longview, Washington, and is governed by an elected board of tribal council members. The Cowlitz Indian Tribe has also built the Ilani Casino Resort, with plans for a hotel.
Today, many Cowlitz people are also enrolled in the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakima Nation, and Quinault Indian Nation.
The Cowlitz Tribe Today
The Cowlitz Tribe’s story is one of resilience, adaptation, and a deep connection to their traditions. Despite facing incredible challenges, they’ve persevered and continue to thrive.
If you want to learn more, check out their website or pay them a visit in Longview, Washington!
So there you have it—a glimpse into the fascinating world of the Cowlitz Tribe. Their story is a reminder of the importance of preserving culture, honoring traditions, and fighting for what you believe in.