Upper Chinook in United States

Introduction / History

The Upper Chinook (Chinookan) peoples lived along the Columbia River from the river mouth up to The Dalles and Celilo Falls and were central players in a wide regional trade network long before Euro-American contact.

In the 1800s these people started interaction with explorers, traders, and settlers, who brought disease, major population decline, and pressure that led to treaties and relocation onto reservations. Celilo Falls was a major cultural and trade center until it was inundated in the 1950s by dam construction.

The Upper Chinook language –offten called Kiksht or Wasco-Wishram– is critically endangered and was declared nearly extinct with the passing of last fluent elders; revitalization efforts (recordings, teaching programs) are ongoing at tribal and university partners. Language loss and revitalization are central cultural issues.

The Chinook Nation gained federal recognition in 2001, but that recognition was revoked a year later.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Many Upper Chinook descendants are members of larger confederations (Warm Springs, Yakama, Confederated Tribes) and live on reservations or in nearby towns. Contemporary life blends traditional practices (salmon fishing, ceremonies, arts) with modern employment, education, and economic challenges.

Their cultural activities are tied to the Columbia River — salmon fishing, seasonal gatherings (historically at Celilo), to keep their identity and to fight for ecological restoration and co-manage fishery in the area.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Traditional beliefs emphasize close relationships with salmon and river life. Salmon are often seen as gifts with spiritual importance; ceremonies such as first-salmon rites mark respect and reciprocity. Spiritual life also included ancestor respect, place-based stories, and rituals tied to seasonal cycles.

Today spiritual life often combines traditional practices with Christianity and tribal religious expression; many ceremonies and cultural protocols continue and are being revitalized.

What Are Their Needs?

One of their main concerns for the Chinook people is the restoration of fish migration routes, the improvement of passage and habitat upstream and downstream of dams; protection of traditional fishing grounds. Funding and programs for Kiksht/Wasco language teaching and archiving oral histories so that the youth preserve their culture is also important for them. There are also high rates of poverty and unemployment on many reservations as well as little access to healthcare, education and housing.

The Chinook are also needing support to defend their fishing rights, respect to treaty obligations, and participation in regional resource management.

Prayer Points

Pray that the Chinook people have an encounter with the real God to heal around historical trauma and provide the resilience and dignity to overcome economic and health challenges.
Pray for tribal leaders and negotiators as they work to protect treaty rights, natural resources, and community welfare, and that they understand this can be done if they accept the salvation in Jesus Christ.
Pray that youth are given opportunities for education, jobs, and that they hear about God´s love.
Pray that Chinook Christians will put Christ first, and disciple those without hope.
Pray that the Lord provide the elders and language teachers with energy, resources, and success in passing the Kiksht/Wasco language to younger generations.

Text Source:   Joshua Project