In 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant issued an executive order establishing the Colville Reservation for the Salish-speaking Indian nations in north central Washington. These tribes had traditionally occupied the tributaries of the upper half of the Columbia River. The people spoke closely related Interior Salish languages, with the Lakes, Colviles, Sanpoils, Nespelems, southern Okanogans, and Met-hows forming one dialect chain and the Chelans, Entiats, Peskwaws (Wenatchis), and Columbians forming a second dialect chain.
The original intent was to include the Salish-speaking Spokans, Coeur d’Alenes, and Kalispels in this reservation, but they refused to be removed and eventually were given their own reservations. Later, two Sahaptian-speaking groups—Nez Perce and Palus—were also placed on the Colville Reservation.
The Lake Chelan Historical Society Museum in Chelan, Washington, includes a collection of historica American Indian photos provided by the Colville Tribal Museum. Shown below are some of the photographs of Colville women from this collection.
Indians 101
Twice each week—on Tuesdays and Thursdays—this series presents American Indian topics. More from this series—
Indians 101: Plateau Women's Gathering Bags (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: Plateau Horse Regalia (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: The Plateau Indian Longhouse (museum tour)
Indians 101: Methow Indian Exhibit (photo diary)
Indians 101: Bitterroot Salish Encampment (photo diary)
Indians 101: A Plateau Indian Art Collection (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: Plateau Indian Baskets (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: Plateau Indian Tourist Trade (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: Plateau Women's Clothing in the High Desert Museum (Photo Diary)