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| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
 United States ( Idaho) | |
| Languages | |
| Kutenai language, English | |
| Religion | |
| traditional tribal religion, Sun Dance religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Kootenai people, Flatheads, Kalispel people |
The Kootenai Tribe of Idaho is a federally recognized tribes of Lower Kootenai people. They are an Indigenous people of the Northwest Plateau.
Reservation
The Kootenai Reservation was first established in 1896. After subsequent land loss, the reservation was re-established in 1974. The reservation is 3,985-acres large and located in Boundary County, Idaho, along US Route 95.
Government
The tribe's headquarters is in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. The tribe is governed by a democratically-elected, nine-member tribal council. The current administration is as follows:
- Chairman: Jennifer Porter
- Gary FX. Aitken Jr.
- Gary Aitken Sr.
- Ronald Abraham
- Sheila David-Michaels
- Middle Row: Duane E. Saunders
- Cecille Abraham
- Velma Bahe
- Veronica Abraham.
Language
Traditionally, Kootenai people have spoken the Kutenai language, a language isolate. It has a dictionary and grammar and is written in the Latin script.
History
The Kootenai people lived along the Kootenai River in Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia. They were hunter-gatherers, and salmon was an important staple to their diets. They have permanent winter villages of cone-shaped houses made from wooden poles and rush mats.
In 1855 the tribe signed a treaty with the US government. The Dawes Act broke up tribal land holdings into individual allotments. Due to illegal land loss, the tribe was awarded $425,000 in a land claims settlement in 1960.
On 20 September 1974, the 67 members of the Kootenai Tribe formally declared war on the United States. They did not engage in violence, and, by calling attention to their situation, the tribe was deeded 12.5 acres.
Economic development
Since 1986, the Kootenai Tribe has owned and operated the Kootenai River Inn. Located in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, it is now the Kootenai River Inn Casino and Spa, also has the Springs Restaurant, Casino Deli, the Kootenai Day Spa, and gift shop.
Reservation industries include timber, tourism, and selling sand and gravel. The tribe also owns a sturgeon hatchery.
See also
Notes
- ^ "Kutenai." Ethnologue. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- ^ "Kootenai Tribe." Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- Pritzker 263
- ^ Pritzker 262
- "Tribal Directory." National Congress of American Indians. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- "Government." Kootenai Tribe of Idaho. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- "Kootenai River Inn Casino & Spa." 500 Nations. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
References
- Pritzker, Barry M. A Native American Encyclopedia: History, Culture, and Peoples. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. ISBN 978-0-19-513877-1.
External links
- Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, official website
- "The Kootenai Tribe’s Forgotten War," by Jack McNeel, Idaho Public Television