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5 / Inchelium A fter the bands dispersed from their traditional areas, our family spent time in areas north and south of Kettle Falls. We and many others tried to live the Way of the People and carry on our traditions, but it was becoming impossible to do. The salmon runs wereallbutfinished,andweweregraduallylosingtheknowledgeof roots, plants, and herbs. Only the elder women seemed to know how and where to find them. I saw the women at times, out in the fields digging or bringing in bundles of plants from the hills. The elders told us that the land we were forced to live on now was not as good as our original homeland. They said that Kettle Falls and the land in British Columbia up to Revelstoke was the best land. They said the roots and herbs were more abundant and of higher quality there. Because of food shortages, the People were dependent on commodities , or food provided by the U.S. government. The traditional practice of fishing and gathering had changed. Over time, only the stories shared at night by the elders helped us remember the good times enjoyed by those who had passed before us. Every year, our family went to visit those who had crossed over to the spirit world and were buried at Pia. On Memorial Day, the People assembled to pay their respects to friends and relatives at Pia. James 51 Bernard and his friends built the small Catholic church, which still provides a place of worship for those who are Catholic. About forty miles south of Pia, several Colvilles and Lakes banded together to form a small community. The community grew into a town, and because of its location it was called Inchelium. The small town derived its name, which means “where small waters meet the big water,” from its location between Hall Creek and Stranger Creek. Specifically, it is located where Hall Creek and Stranger Creek flow into the Columbia River. The People settled there to escape the avarice and injustice of the white people who had taken their land in the Colville Valley and the northern half of the original Colville Reservation. This land is the beautiful area of a million and a half acres directly north of the Colville Reservation . Eventually, more of the People moved to Inchelium, including our family. Twin Lakes is about thirteen miles west of Inchelium. The area is mountainous, with an elevation of 3,000 feet. At Twin Lakes, the People could fish for large rainbow, go boating, enjoy swimming, or hunt for deer, rabbit, or grouse. The lakes were a favorite retreat and escape for the People. During the summer, almost the whole town of Inchelium took time o¤ and gathered at North Twin Lake to visit and recount tales of the old days. Food was cooked over campfires, and the aroma spread throughout the campsite and forest. The People slept in tepees or tents during the night. While adults and elders sat and visited beneath the trees near the beach, the young swam, went boating, or fished. Some walked the trails in the nearby mountains and hunted for deer. At least 350 people attended those gatherings, which sometimes lasted from three to five days. The participants were like a big family as most were related to one another in some way. When the sun went down and darkness came, several people gathered and enjoyed themselves playing the stick games. These games of gambling went on late into the night and early morning. inchelium 52 There was always activity at Twin Lakes. It became a favorite place afterthePeoplemovedfromKettleFalls.Duringthewintermonths,some people chopped through the ice with axes and fished by dropping hooked lines into the holes. They caught many rainbow by this method, adding to their food supplies until the weather became warmer. Twin Lakes was surrounded by forests and mountains, and four- and two-legged beings abounded. Deer and black bear were always seen, and coyotes howled their songs into the night. If you were alert and quiet, you might even see cougar silently stalking prey. Ospreys fished during the day, diving into the lake and bringing up large rainbow. Bald eagles appeared from time to time to hunt in a similar way. In other areas, redtailed hawks glided with the wind, searching for rodents or other small game. Horned owls appeared at night as they winged through the trees looking for prey. Squirrels chattered continuously, and the drumming of grouse was heard from time to...

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