The nameSanpoil comes from theOkanagan[snpʕwílx], "gray as far as one can see". It has beenfolk-etymologized as coming from the Frenchsans poil, "without fur".[3] The Yakama people know the tribe asHai-ai'-nlma orIpoilq. The Sanpoil call themselvesNesilextcl'n,.n.selixtcl'n, probably meaning "Salish speaking," andN'pooh-le, a shortened form of the name.
The Sanpoil had a semi-democratic system of government with various chiefs representing each community within the tribe. Chiefs were not hereditary. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, United States government officials began recognizing one chief at a time.
The Sanpoil Tribe was incorporated into the Colville Confederation by executive order from the president of the United States after strong recommendation from the Indian agents noting the Sanpoil's relatively peaceful nature toward others, notably Euro-American settlers.
Enthlukaluk, about 1.5 miles (2 km) north of the mouth of the river.
Hahsulauk, home of the Shahsulauhuwa, near Plum.
Hulalst, home of the S-hulalstu, at Whitestone, about 8 miles (13 km) above Npuiluk.
Hwatsam, a winter camp, about 3 miles (5 km) above Snukeilt.
Kakamkam, on the islands in the Sanpoil River a short distance above the mouth.
Kathlpuspusten, home of the Kathlpuspustenak, about a mile above Plum, on the opposite side of the river.
Ketapkunulak, on the banks of the Columbia just east of the Sanpoil River.
Naak, home of the Snaakau, about a mile below Plum but on the north side of the river.
Nhohogus, fishing grounds of the S-hulalstu.
Npokstian, a winter camp, about 2 miles (3 km) above Hwatsam.
Npuiluk, home of the Snpuiluk, at the mouth of Sanpoil River, made up of the following camps:
Snkethlkukwiliskanan, near the present landing of the Keller ferry;
a branch of the last called by the same name, several hundred yards north of the first between the cliff and the Sanpoil River, on the west side;
Kethltselchin, on the first bench above the Columbia, west of the Sanpoil River.
Nthlahoitk, a winter camp of the Snpuiluk, about halfway between Skthlamchin and Naak.
Saamthlk, home of the Saamthlk, on the opposite side of the river from Kathlpuspusten.
Skekwilk, on the west side of Sanpoil River about a mile above the mouth.
Snputlem, on the east bank of Sanpoil River, about 15 miles (24 km) above the mouth.
Snukeilt, home of the Snukeiltk, on the west side of Columbia River about 2 miles (3 km) above the mouth of Spokane River.
Tkukualkuhun, home of the Stkukualkuhunak, at Rodger's Bar just across the river from Hunters.
Tsaktsikskin, a winter camp of the Snpuiluk, about a half mile below Naak. Wathlwathlaskin, home of the Swathlwathlaskink, 3 miles (5 km) up the river from Nthlahoitk.
Ray, Verne F.The Sanpoil and Nespelem: Salishan Peoples of Northeastern Washington, by Verne F. Ray. Seattle, Washington: Univ. of Wash. Press, 1932.
Watson, Ralph W.Appraisal of the Tribal Lands of the Colville Tribe, the San Poil and Nespelem Tribes, the Lakes, the Okanogans, and the Methows As Defined in the Decision of the Indian Claims Commission, Docket 181 on February 29, 1956 : All of Said Lands Being in the State of Washington and the Appraisal Being As of July 2, 1872. Library of American Indian affairs. New York: Clearwater, 1900.
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