What Kind of Homes Did the Yakima Indian Tribe Live In?
In the 1800s, the Yakima Indian tribe established their main village near the narrows of the Yakima River in present-day Washington State. Yakima means "people of the narrows."
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Dwellings
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The Yakimas, also called Plateau Indians, resided in partly underground homes in winter. The hotter months of the year found the tribe living in houses consisting of mats made from reedy plants positioned across cottonwood tree frames.
Earth Lodges
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In preparation for cold weather, the tribe dug earth lodges, or "pit houses," into the ground. Bent wooden poles formed a dome framework overhead that was packed with dirt. Yakima family members entered and exited through the center of the roof by ladder. Longhouses, which held multiple families, made of wooden poles and rush matting were also used.
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Portable Tepees
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Yakima families carried animal hide tepees from place to place during hunting and gathering trips in the summer.
Assimilation
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Built on the Yakima Indian Reservation in 1855, Fort Simcoe, originally a United States military post, became a boarding school for Yakima children. While residing there, the children were indoctrinated and educated, resulting in physical and mental abuse that still affects generations of today. Despite these assaults on their culture, art, language and other traditions have returned.
Name Reversion
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In 1994, the The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, which consists of 13 other tribe recognized by the Treaty of 1855, resolved that the spelling of their name was "Yakama" not "Yakima." They also resolved to remove the word "Indians" from their confederacy title. "Indian" is an offensive word to many Native Americans.
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