History
Origins
Native Americans are believed to be descended from Asian people. About 30,000 years ago land migrations occurred at the Bering Strait between Siberia and Alaska. It was believed that nomadic hunters were following game herds that crossed over from Siberia to Alaska. At that time the water level was lower than present day so it was possible to cross on foot. It was also possible that they crossed over with boats and ice bridges.
Map showing the Bering Strait theory
First Contact
Because the people of the plateau lived on the West side of North America, they were contacted by the Europeans later than the natives on the East side of North America. As early as 1750 European explorers have been in North America. When the explorers from Spain, France and England first came to the plateau area, most of the natives welcomed them and gave them food, help and supplies. When the Europeans arrived in North America they brought three major things that had a great impact on the Natives : Rifles, Christianity, and Diseases which killed of 90% of the native population. When the European army came to take over the land, the natives of the plateau were given two choice: give up their land and move to reservations or be destroyed by war. When the Natives gave up their land in exchange for sometihng else, they were tricked and what was promised usually turned out to be much less then expected. Some of the native tribes such as the Nez Perce fought back when they were forced from their land, but was only defeated by the Europeans later on. When the Europeans cutting down forests to make houses and slaughtered herds of animals just for the entertainment, the Natives could not understand why the Europeans see the earth as it is something to be bought and sold.
Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce who led his people into war with the Europeans
Current situation and recent history
The natives today are living among us and doing the same things that we do today, but there are also natives who are living in reservations. The reservations have their own laws and are not subjected to the U.S or state laws with a sovereign nation status. The Thompson, Shuswap and Lilloet have reservations in British Columbia, The Warm Springs and the Umatilla have reservations in Oregon, and the Nez Perce and Caeur d'Alene have reservations in Idaho. The natives familys have been coming together in powwows to maintain their cooperation and their closeness. Many natives have also been perserving their heritage by making traditional items and learning how about native songs, dances, and ceremonies. There are some such as the Coeur d'Alene who consider lakes, rivers, and plants as "family" are cleaning up mine polutions and the Klamath are working to restore the forests and fish that sustained their people.