Methow (tribe)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Methow |
|---|
| Total population |
| Regions with significant populations |
 United States (Washington) |
| Languages |
| English, Salishan, Interior Salish |
| Related ethnic groups |
| Colville, Sanpoil, Nespelem, Palus, Wenatchi, Entiat, Sinixt, Southern Okanagan, Sinkiuse-Columbia, and the Nez Perce of Chief Joseph's Band peoples |
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- For other uses, see Methow.
The Methow (pronounced like "met-tau"), a Native American tribe historically lived along the Methow River, a tributary of the Columbia River in northern Washington State. The tribe's name for the river was Buttlemuleemauch, meaning "salmon falls river".[1] The river was named after the tribe.
According to Chelan legend, the beaver's heart, taken across the mountains, became the Methow tribe.[2]
In 1780, there were approximately 800 Methow and Columbia-Moses Native Americans, but by 1907, the number had dropped to 324.
Today, the Methow live primarily on the Colville Indian Reservation in Washington, where they form part of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, which is recognized by the United States government as an American Indian Tribe.
The Methow now speak English. Their endangered dialect, spoken only by older adults, is a part of the Southern Interior Salish linguistic branch.[3]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Phillips, James W. (1971). Washington State Place Names. University of Washington Press. ISBN 0-295-95158-3.
- ^ Creation of the First Indians. meta-religion.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-10.
- ^ Washington Indian Tribes. accessgenealogy.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-10.
