Cowlitz people
Traditional Cowlitz territory | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| >4,700+ | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Washington, United States | |
| Languages | |
| English, Cowlitz, Sahaptin, Chinook Jargon | |
| Religion | |
| traditional tribal religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Lower Cowlitz: Other Salish peoples Especially Upper Chehalis, Lower Chehalis, and Quinault Mountain Cowlitz: Kwaiailk and Willapa Taidnapam: Nez Perce and other Sahaptin peoples Especially Klickitat and Yakama |
The term Cowlitz people covers two culturally and linguistically distinct indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest; the Lower Cowlitz or Cowlitz proper, and the Upper Cowlitz / Cowlitz Klickitat or Taitnapam. Lower Cowlitz refers to a southwestern Coast Salish people, which today are enrolled in the federally recognized tribes: Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Quinault Indian Nation, and Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation. The Upper Cowlitz or Taitnapam, is a Northwest Sahaptin speaking people, part of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation.
Their traditional homelands are in western Washington state in the United States.