Who Are the Kalispel?
The Kalispel Tribe of Indians (federally recognized) has approximately 500 enrolled members, headquartered near Usk, Washington. Their name means "Camas People," referencing the root that formed a dietary staple. They speak Kalispel-Pend d'Oreille, a Salish language closely related to Spokane and Flathead, with approximately 15-20 fluent speakers remaining. The Kalispel occupied the Pend Oreille River valley in northeastern Washington and northern Idaho. Unlike related tribes who accepted large reservations, the Kalispel's small land base (4,600 acres until recent expansion) has shaped their unique development path.
Camas Culture
The Kalispel name itself reflects the importance of camas—a starchy root that grows in wet meadows and was traditionally harvested, processed, and stored for winter. Women's camas processing was central to the seasonal round. The Kalispel also fished extensively in the Pend Oreille River, hunted deer and elk, and gathered berries and other plants. This mixed subsistence pattern, typical of Interior Salish peoples, required detailed environmental knowledge and seasonal movement. The camas meadows that defined Kalispel identity were later destroyed by dam-created flooding and agricultural development.
Minimal Land Base
The Kalispel reservation, established in 1914, was exceptionally small—just 4,600 acres for a people who had ranged across millions of acres. This tiny land base limited economic options for most of the 20th century. The Kalispel avoided the allotment that fragmented other reservations but faced extreme poverty. Federal recognition challenges and boundary disputes complicated tribal development. In recent decades, the tribe has acquired additional land through purchase, expanding their territory. The Kalispel case demonstrates how reservation size profoundly affects tribal capacity for economic and cultural development.
Contemporary Kalispel
Modern Kalispel have transformed from one of the poorest tribes to an economic success story. The Northern Quest Resort & Casino near Spokane generates significant revenue. The tribe has used gaming profits to expand services, purchase land, and restore natural resources along the Pend Oreille River. Language preservation is urgent—with only 15-20 speakers, the tribe works with Salish School of Spokane and other programs to train new speakers. Environmental restoration projects address mining contamination and dam impacts. How this small tribe balances rapid economic growth with cultural preservation shapes the Camas People's future.
References
- Fahey, J. (1974). The Kalispel Indians
- Teit, J. A. (1930). The Salishan Tribes of the Western Plateaus
- Ruby, R. H., & Brown, J. A. (1986). A Guide to the Indian Tribes of the Pacific Northwest