412 
INDIAN TRIBES OF WASHINGTON TERRITORY. 
nation. These may bo divided for the present purpose into the following: the Pisquouse, Okina- 
kane, Schwo-yelpi or Kettle Falls, Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, upper and lower Pend d’Oreilles, and 
Selish or Flathead proper. 
The country of the Pisquouse lies immediately north of that of the Yakimas, and we entered 
it next upon our route. Under this appellation are here included the Indians on the Columbia 
between the Priest’s and Ross rapids, on the Pisquouse or Winatshapam river, the En-te-at-kwu, 
Chelan lake, and the Methow or Barrier river. The name of Pisquouse, however, properly 
refers to a single locality on the river, known to the Yakimas as Winatshapam. 
The Pisquouse themselves, as has before been remarked, are so much intermarried with the 
Yakimas that they have almost lost their nationality. These bands were formerly all united 
under one principal chief, Stal-koo-sum, who is said to have been a man of great note among them. 
Fie was killed a few years since in a fight with the Blackfeet, since when there has been no 
head of the tribe. Stal-koo-sum’s son, Quil-tan-ei-nok, or Louis, was an aspirant for his father’s 
throne, and came over to Ivetetas to recommend himself to Captain McClellan’s patronage, under 
the tuition of Ow-hai, who seemed to be interested in his promotion. It was considered desirable 
to unite the scattered fragments of the empire under one head, if possible, and he was therefore 
engaged as a guide, the better to ascertain his character. It should be remarked, that though 
the chiefdom of the petty bands, or villages, seems to be hereditary, it does not always follow 
that one who has placed himself at the head of the tribe, or confederacy, transmits his power. 
Quil-tan-ei-nok had, as we learned, used great efforts to succeed in this object of his ambition 5 
having gone to the Sound, and even to the Willamette valley, to procure a paper from some 
agent recognising his rights, on the strength of which he might silence all cavillers. In this he had 
been hitherto unsuccessful, and he was doomed to further disappointment. On reaching the mouth 
of the Pisquouse, Captain McClellan informed the Indians that it would be well for them to 
choose, in concert with their neighbors, a head chief, who would represent them all, and who 
might talk for them with the chief of the whites; that if they would agree among themselves 
upon a proper person, the Governor would give him a great writing, signifying his consent. In 
the mean time some presents were distributed; that to Quil-tan-ei-nok being the largest, that he 
might have honor among his own people at least. When the election came off, however, he was 
beaten, and by a candidate whose name had never previously been mentioned. At this place we 
were offered the entertainment of a horse-race, and on promising a yard of red cloth as the piize 
of victory, a general enthusiasm seized upon the whole tribe. Horses were sought in every direc¬ 
tion, that would stand a chance of winning, and in a short time a dozen of the best came up to 
the starting-point. A goal was fixed on the plain, at some distance, which they were to turn 
around and return ; and at a signal from the chief they stripped—not the horses, but the riders; 
doffing their blankets and other inconvenient articles, and appearing in costumes of primitive 
simplicity. One rider wore a pair of moccasins, and another sported a shirt; while with a third 
a streak or two of red paint, judiciously disposed, gave every requisite distinction. There was 
some very pretty running, and still better jockeying; but as the distance was unmeasured, and 
nobody took note of the time, an official report cannot be given. The winner, who rode a hand¬ 
some gray gelding, carried off a prize that a few years before was worth as much as his horse. 
The Okinakanes comprise the bands lying on the river of that name as far north as the foot 
of the Great lake. They are six in number, viz: the T’Kwuratum, at the mouth; Konekoni’p, 
on the creek of that name; Kluckhaitkwu, at the falls; Kinakanes, near the forks; and Mila- 
kitekwa, on the west fork. With them may be classed the N’pockle, or Sans Puelles, on the 
Columbia river; though these are also claimed by the Spokanes. The two bands on the forks 
are more nearly connected with the Schwoyelpi than with the ones first named. The country of 
the Pisquouse and Okinakanes may be described together, and briefly. It is mountainous and 
sterile, the valleys narrow, and affording here and there spots susceptible of cultivation. For 
