The story of the Sinixt, also known as the Lake Indians, is a complex narrative of resilience, adaptation, and the struggle for recognition. This indigenous people, whose ancestral lands straddled the border between what is now Washington State in the United States and British Columbia in Canada, have faced immense challenges, including displacement, cultural disruption, and even official declarations of extinction. Today, while many Sinixt individuals reside within their traditional West Kootenay territory, particularly the Slocan Valley, the primary body of the Sinixt people are recognized as part of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation in Washington State. This article delves into the history, culture, and current status of the Sinixt, shedding light on their journey and their ongoing efforts to preserve their heritage.
A Legacy Etched in the Landscape
The Sinixt’s connection to the land is deeply rooted in their name itself. "Sinixt" translates to "Place of the bull trout," a testament to the importance of fishing and the natural environment in their traditional way of life. For countless generations, they inhabited the upper Columbia River region, a landscape characterized by its waterways, mountains, and forests. Their villages dotted the banks of the Kootenay, Slocan, and Columbia Rivers, while hunting parties ventured into the Monashee and Selkirk Mountains in search of game.
Their traditional territory encompassed the Slocan Valley, the Lower Arrow Lakes region, the lower Kootenay River, and the Columbia River from the "Big Bend" north of Revelstoke to just above Kettle Falls in Washington State. The Kettle River, a tributary of the Columbia, also fell within their domain. The Sinixt people possessed an intimate knowledge of this land, its resources, and its rhythms.
The People of the Lakes: Names and Identities
Over time, the Sinixt have been known by a variety of names, reflecting their relationship with other tribes, interactions with European settlers, and the evolving political landscape. Some of the alternate names by which they are known are: Sinixt Nation, Sin-Aikst, Sin Aikst, Lower Sin Aikst, Upper Sin Aikst, Lower Sinixt, Upper Sinixt, Arrow Lakes Band, The Lake Indians, Sinixt tribe, Arrow Lakes Indians, Interior Salish, Northwest Salish, Mother tribe of the Pacific Northwest Salish, Colville Confederated Tribes, Colville Confederacy, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Colville Indians, Plateau Indians, and Colville tribe.
The term "Lake Indians" gained prominence after the formation of the Colville Reservation when the US government requested that the name Sinixt or Sin Aikst was dropped in favor of Lakes. The wide array of names speaks to the fluidity of identity and the impact of external forces on how the Sinixt were perceived and categorized.
The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation: A United Front
The Sinixt are one of twelve bands or tribes that comprise the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, a federally recognized tribe in the United States. The confederation includes the Chelan, Nespelem, Sanpoil, Palus, Wenatchi, Entiat, Methow, southern Okanagan, Sinkiuse-Columbia (also known as Moses-Columbia), and the Nez Perce of Chief Joseph’s Band. This union represents a strategic alliance formed in response to historical pressures and the need to protect their collective rights and interests.
The Colville Reservation, located in Okanogan and Ferry Counties, Washington, spans approximately 1.4 million acres. The tribal headquarters are located at PO Box 150, Nespelem, WA 99155-0150. The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation’s official website is https://www.colvilletribes.com/. The Sinixt, as a constituent tribe, contribute to the overall governance and cultural richness of the Colville Reservation.
A Glimpse into Sinixt Culture
The Sinixt culture, like that of other Plateau tribes, was deeply intertwined with the natural world. Fishing, particularly for salmon and bull trout, was a central activity, providing sustenance and shaping their social structure. The annual salmon runs were a time of communal gathering, celebration, and spiritual renewal. The Sinixt people constructed specialized canoes, known as Sturgeon-nosed canoes, for navigating the rivers and accessing fishing grounds.
Their diet also included a variety of other foods, including huckleberries, camas root, bitterroot, serviceberries, gooseberries, hazelnuts, wild carrots, peppermint, and various game meats such as deer, elk, moose, caribou, rabbit, mountain sheep, mountain goat, and bear. After the arrival of the horse, they also ventured east to hunt bison.
Historically, the Sinixt were a semi-sedentary people, residing in warm, semi-subterranean pithouses during the winter months. These dwellings provided protection from the harsh elements and served as centers of family and community life. During the summer, they utilized lighter, more mobile structures made of tule matting over wood frames, allowing them to follow seasonal resources.
Trials and Tribulations: A History of Dispossession
The arrival of European settlers and the subsequent imposition of colonial policies had a devastating impact on the Sinixt. The fur trade, while initially fostering economic exchange, also introduced diseases that decimated their population. The establishment of the US-Canada border disrupted their traditional territory and restricted their movement.
The creation of the Colville Reservation, while intended to provide a homeland, also resulted in the loss of ancestral lands and the forced assimilation of diverse tribes. White settlers continued to encroach on reservation lands, and more tribes were brought in to share the Colville reservation lands. In 1900, Aropaghan, over James Bernard’s objection, agreed to have the land divided into individual allotments rather than held in common; he also agreed to include “half breeds” equally in the allocation.
Perhaps the most egregious act was the Canadian government’s official declaration of the Sinixt as "extinct" in 1956. This declaration, based on the absence of individuals on a remote reserve allotment, effectively erased the Sinixt from the Canadian historical record and denied them their rights as an indigenous people.
The construction of hydroelectric dams along the Columbia and Kootenay Rivers further exacerbated their plight, flooding ancestral villages, burial grounds, and fishing sites. The Grand Coulee Dam, in particular, had a catastrophic impact on salmon runs, a vital resource for the Sinixt.
Resilience and Reclamation: The Sinixt Today
Despite the immense challenges they have faced, the Sinixt have never given up on their identity or their connection to their ancestral lands. In recent decades, they have actively worked to reclaim their heritage, assert their rights, and challenge the injustices of the past.
The Sinixt are fighting to reclaim their traditional status in Canada. One of the most significant achievements has been the overturning of the "extinct" declaration in Canada. Through legal challenges, cultural revitalization efforts, and community organizing, the Sinixt have demonstrated their continued existence and their determination to regain their rightful place in Canadian society.
They are actively involved in protecting their sacred sites, advocating for environmental stewardship, and promoting cultural education. The repatriation and reburial of ancestral remains near Vallican in the Slocan Valley stands as a powerful symbol of their commitment to honoring their ancestors and preserving their cultural heritage.
The Future of the Sinixt
The story of the Sinixt is far from over. As part of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, they continue to navigate the complexities of contemporary life while striving to maintain their cultural identity and protect their ancestral lands. Their ongoing efforts to achieve recognition in Canada, preserve their language and traditions, and advocate for environmental justice demonstrate their unwavering resilience and their commitment to a brighter future for generations to come. The Sinixt people have a rich history and the Sinixt continue to advocate for their rights. The Sinixt, or Lake Indians, remind us of the importance of remembering the past while working towards a just and equitable future.