Kalispel

The Kalispel (also spelled Kalispell or Ktunaxa in their own language) are an Indigenous people of the Plateau cultural region, primarily residing in the inland Pacific Northwest of North America. Their traditional territory spans parts of present-day Montana, Idaho, and British Columbia, Canada, encompassing the Flathead Valley, the Kootenay River region, and the Selkirk Mountains.

The Kalispel language belongs to the Salishan language family, closely related to languages spoken by neighboring tribes such as the Kootenai and Flathead (Salish). Historically, they were semi-nomadic, relying on fishing, hunting, and gathering to sustain their communities. Salmon was a dietary staple, and they also cultivated camas and other root crops. Their social structure was organized around extended families, with leadership roles often passed down through matrilineal lines.

European contact began in the late 18th century, with fur traders and explorers entering their territory. Disease, displacement, and conflicts with settlers led to significant population decline. By the mid-19th century, the Kalispel were forcibly relocated to reservations, including the Flathead Reservation in Montana and the Ktunaxa Nation Reserve in British Columbia. Today, the Kalispel people are recognized as the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in Montana and the Ktunaxa Nation in Canada, both of which maintain distinct cultural and political identities.

Culturally, the Kalispel preserved traditions such as potlatches, storytelling, and ceremonial dances, though these were suppressed during periods of colonization. Efforts in recent decades have focused on language revival, cultural education, and economic development. The tribes operate businesses, schools, and healthcare facilities, while also advocating for land rights and environmental conservation within their ancestral territories.