OKANAGON INDIANS IN CANADA

OKANAGON IS DERIVED FROM THE OKANAGON RIVER NEAR OKANAGON FALLS, WHICH IS THE PLACE OF ORIGIN OF THE TRIBE. THEY BELONGED TO THE INTERIOR DIVISION OF THE SALISHIAN STOCK. THEY ARE THEY ARE LOCATED ALONG THE OKANAGAN LAKE. THEY HAVE THREE BANDS. THE HISTORY OF THE OKANAGON DIFFERED LITTLE FROM THE NEIGHBORING TRIBES. DURING THE LAST TWO CENTURIES, HOWEVER, THERE HAS BEEN A STEADY MOVEMENT OF THE TRIBE NORTHWARD WHERE THEY HAVE DISPLACED THE SHUSWAP. THERE ARE ABOUT 2200 OKANAGON IN 1780. BECAUSE OF THE SMALLPOX THEIR NUMBERS DECREASED AND BY 1906 THERE WERE 825.

THEY LIVED IN EARTHEN LODGES SOMETIMES KNOWN AS PITHOUSES. THESE HOMES ARE PARTIALLY UNDERGROUND. THEIR LODGES WERE SMALL AND ONLY A SINGLE FAMILY. TODAY THEY ONLY PUT UP A TEEPEE FOR FUN.

THEY WORE LEGGINGS WITH BUCKSKIN AND LEGGINGS., AND MOCCASINS. THEY MADE SOCKS WOVEN FROM TULE RUSH AND BLANKETS MADE OF MOUNTAIN GOAT WOOL. THEY MADE LIGHTWEIGHT BIRCHBARK CANOES ON THE RIVER.

THEIR TRADITIONAL FOOD WAS SALMON. THE MEN ALSO HUNTED ELK, BUFFALO, SMALL MAMMALS, AND MOUNTAIN SHEEP. THE WOMEN GATHERED ROOTS, AND BERRIES TO ADD TO THEIR FOOD. THEY MADE BASKETS AND WOODEN CRAFTS. THEY TRADED WITH TRIBES. THEY INTERMARRIED AND THEY WERE NOT WARLIKE. STORYTELLING IS VERY IMPORTANT TO OKANANGAN CULTURE.

BIGORRIN.ORG
ACCESSGENEOLOGY.COM