Kutenai/Kootenay/Kootenai Tribe

The Kootenai Tribe, also known as Kootenay, Kutenai and Ktanaxa, lived in an area around the Columbia and Kootenay Rivers. Part of the tribal areas are in present day Idaho and Montana in the United States and most of the tribal areas are in present day British Columbia, Canada.

The Kootenai Tribe was relatively undisturbed by settlers until the early 1800s. At that time, exposure to the settlers brought diseases and large amounts of tribal populations died from small pox and other epidemics. The Kootenai continued to be otherwise undisturbed by the settlers, although the buffalo is hunted to near extinction and the availability of salmon is minimal. With two staples of the Kootenai diet being eliminated the Kootenai have to rely on other alternatives for food.

Between 1830 and 1870, changes in the tribal structure were drastic. Trading houses were set up near tribal lands. The availability of guns and ammunition replaced traditional weapons. Processed flours, salt, sugar and fatty processed/preserved meats replaced traditional foods contributing to poor diets in many. Heart disease and diabetes is common. Alcohol is readily available. The Kootenai social structure begins to collapse under the weight of these changes. The male roles of protecting and providing for the family disappear.

The establishment of the 49th parallel as the boundary between the United States and Canada further disrupts the Kootenai tribe, as it splits the tribe and, in some instances, families between American tribe and Canadian tribe. Canadian tribal members access to resources in the southern portion of traditional tribal lands is limited by the establishment of customs houses.

The bands located at Bonners Ferry, Idaho and Elmo, Montana are forced on reservations. Those members of the tribe in Canada find that their traditions are forbidden. Speaking their language can cause children to be removed from their parents. Women of the tribe who marry whites are no longer considered "Indian", while white women who marry into the tribe are now considered part of the tribe. Censuses are taken in the Canadian areas, but exclude large numbers of those who are part of the tribe, for assorted reasons.

Between 1900 and 1920, tuberculosis claimed a number of lives. In Canada, tribal members were not considered Canadian citizens and could not vote. Veterans from World War II were forced to give up their tribal association in order to receive veterans benefits.

In Idaho, residents on the tribal lands near Bonners Ferry were forced to live in substandard housing. In 1974, one man froze to death in a structure, which led to the tribe declaring war on the United States on 20 Sep 1974. There were 67 members remaining of that band at the time of the declaration. Although treaties prevent tribes from declaring war, the Kootenai Tribe had never signed any treaty. As such, they were unable to get help for sufficient housing and medical care. There weren't sufficient roads through the town. Members of the tribe stood along the road at both ends of the "reservation" and collected tolls for those wishing to drive through. The toll charged was $.50, however, most people gave more. Donations came from far and near. The money was destined to help establish a clinic in the area.

The Chief of the Tribal Council at the time, Amy Trice, didn't see any alternatives to declaring war, as the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, and other agencies told her that they couldn't help because there were less than 125 people in the tribe. After three days of "peaceful war" results came.

Today, the tribe has a 12.5 acre reservation with paved roads, a medical clinic and sufficient housing. In 1986, the tribe built the Kootenai River Inn which is wholly owned and operated by the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho. The inn caters to tourism, which in turn, helps support the tribe.

Biographies:

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Legends:

Treaties:

No Treaties were ever signed by any representative of the Kootenai Tribe

Censuses:

Books: