British Columbia First Nations: Difference between revisions

==== Brief History of the Interior Salish  ====

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; “Interior Salish” is a designation for culturally related tribes and bands rather than the name of a specific tribe. The traditional lands occupied by the Interior Salish peoples are the Fraser River valley, the Pemberton valley, the Plateau, and the Okanagan valley. The territory overlaps the international boundary with the United States. The traditional area is large, occupied by several different tribes who, although culturally related, were often enemies.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Arrow Lakes tribe is no longer recognized by the Canadian government. The members of this tribe are primarily associated with the Colville Confederated Tribe in the state of Washington, United States.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Population estimates before first contact are unreliable. The diseases introduced to the native races by the Europeans traveled across the continent and afflicted these tribes before first contact. Smallpox outbreaks in the 1770’s greatly reduced the population, as did other outbreaks in the 1800’s.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Fur traders were the first European contacts with the Interior Salish tribes. Some of these tribes, however, already traded furs with the Coast Salish. Because of this trade, the fur traders who traveled overland found these people already using metal tools and other materials of European origin.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Native women often married fur traders. <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Interior Salish First Nations are currently organized into tribal councils to more efficiently provide services to their members.