np̓əšqʷáw̓səxʷ | |
|---|---|
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States (Washington) | |
| Languages | |
| English,Salishan,Interior Salish | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Colville,Sanpoil,Nespelem,Palus,Sinixt,Entiat,Methow,Southern Okanagan,Sinkiuse-Columbia, and theNez Perce of Chief Joseph's band |
TheWenatchi people orŠnp̍əšqʷáw̉šəxʷi / Np̓əšqʷáw̓səxʷ ("People in the between") areNative Americans who originally lived near the confluence of theColumbia andWenatchee Rivers in CentralWashington state. Their language isInterior Salish (a variant ofSalish). Traditionally, they ate salmon, starchy roots likecamas andbiscuitroot, berries, deer, sheep and whatever else they could hunt or catch. The river that they lived on, theWenatchee River, had one of the greatest runs of salmon in the world prior to numerous hydroelectric dams being put in on the downstream Columbia, pollution and other issues, and was their main food source.
The tribal name "Wenatchi" is of Yakama-Sahaptin origin, the neighboring Yakama named the "Wenatchapam Fishery"Winátsha and the particular Wenatchi Band at this placeWinátshapam ("People at Winátsha"), the Wenatchi called this BandSinpusqôisoh. Therefore they were called in historic times also "P'squosa/Pisquouse". The individually distinct Wenatchi bands, are the following:
They are closely related by language with the Entiat and Chelan peoples and through marriage and culture with Upper Yakima bands.
Sometimes theChelan (Ščəl̕ámxəxʷ - "People at the Deep Water, i.e. Lake Chelan") andEntiat were considered simply as another Wenatchi Bands; the Entiat (also known as:Inti-etook, Intietooks) - which called themselvesŠntiyátkʷəxʷ (Sintia'tkumuk/Sintiatqkumuh) ("People from the place of grassy water/Gras in Water, i.e. Entiat River") and theSinialkumuh Band of Entiat were often classed as "Wenatchi" or "P'squosa". Moreover, the Chelan people also described themselves asŠntiyátkʷəxʷ ("People from the place of grassy water/Gras in Water, i.e. Entiat River").[1]
In 1931, aPowwow was held on the land of Mary Felix, a Wenatchi woman living in Yaksum Canyon inCashmere, Washington. It's estimated that nearly 700 Native Americans attended, including 250 Wenatchi, many traveling from the Colville and Yakama reservations.[2]
In 2024, theColville Confederated Tribes acquired 11 acres of land near Cashmere along theWenatchee River as part of an effort to reclaim ownership of ancestral lands.[3]
The Wenatchapam Fishery is an important cultural site for the Wenatchi people. The land is currently incorporated intoWenatchee National Forest at the confluence of the Wenatchee River and Icicle Creek nearLeavenworth. The fishery was named as a reservation site in the Yakama treaty from theWalla Walla Council (1855), and the boundaries were surveyed and designated by Army personnel in subsequent years. Following the establishment and reallocation of lands of theColville Indian Reservation, Wenatchi Chief John Harmelt was supported byChief Joseph of theNez Perce people in lobbying for federal protection of Wenatchi rights to the fishery. More white settlers moved to the area, infringing on the Wenatchi's claim to the land, and theGreat Northern Railway was approved to build a route through the reserved land.[4]
Another survey was commissioned in 1893, but federal agent L.T. Erwin, who was aligned with the settlers and railroad company, intervened in the process. He attempted to offer Chief Harmelt individual allotments in the mountains to the remaining Wenatchi people, however Harmelt insisted on consulting with his people before entering into a decision. In his absence, Erwin told theYakama tribal leaders that the Wenatchi had sold their land rights, and the Yakama sold their share for $20,000.[5][4]
