The Traditional Salish

The Salish are a large group of Native Americans who speak dialects belonging to the language family known as Salish.

When did the Salish live?

40,000 B.P. is the earliest known date for Indian presence in America.

Where did they live?

The Salish people were dispersed throughout the Northwestern states of America and parts of Canada. States included Washington, Idaho, and Montana.

What did the Salish leave behind?

The Salish language

What did the Salish wear?

The Salish wore. Animal hides Beaded necklaces Beaded moccasins Furs Headdresses And much more depending on what materials were available

What kind of homes did they have?

The Salish lived in homes called tipis. The average tipi was approximately 9 x 6 feet and was made up of 9-10 buffalo hides. (Fewer hides were needed to make the cone shaped lodge) The traditional tipi door would face the East, toward the rising sun.

Tipi and the importance of its cone shape

The cone shape used less hides. The tipi was easy to heat because of the surface area. The shape allowed protection from wind. The cone shaped top acted as a chimney to draw out smoke. Snow and rain ran down the sides of the structure more easily.

What did they eat?

The Salish were known to eat Salmon Big game such as deer and moose Berries Case roots Lichen And buffalo

What means of transportation did the Salish use?

Travois Horses Canoes Foot

What did they do for recreation?

The Salish always made time during the week to visit and play games. -Shinny and hoop and dart were two favorite games for the Salish. -Song and dance were also an important part of the Salish lifestyle.

Family patterns
The Salish were a group of close knit families

How did the Salish educate their young?

Before boarding schools, Salish children learned lessons through everyday routines of the tribal village.
Salish learned as they played. They Learned by helping their parents with chores and work. Children were taught the history of their ancestors through stories passed down.

Salish education of youth

Boys Make arrows Shoot the bow and arrow Hunt Ride horses without a saddle Steal horses from enemies Girls Set up and take down tipis Start a fire and prepare meals Skin and tan hides- sew them into useful articles Prepare and dry meat for storage Recognize plants and there uses Ride horses without a saddle

Boarding Schools
Native language was forbidden Students did much of the work that kept the school running. Boarding schools created a separation from culture.

How did the Salish govern and control their society?

The Salish tribe had a leader or leaders who were advised and guided by a number of respected elders. These chiefs were chosen for qualities such as wisdom, compassion, courage, and intelligence.

What customs and beliefs did the Salish hold?

Yearly cycle of life The Salish believed in a deep spiritual connection to the land and with the plants and animals. They had Intimate knowledge of its fluctuating cycles across seasons and years and even centuries.

What events are the Salish known for?

The Salish were documented in the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

The Hellgate Treaty 1855

What problems did the Salish run into?

Disease Hellgate Treaty 1855 The Blackfeet receive fire arms Hellgate Allotment Act 1904

How did Salish deal with these problems?

The Salish were able to renegotiate the Hellgate Treaty. They started anew by establishing farms, ranches, and worked to rebuild their lives.