Origin and History of GIDAGINCHI

Description:

Gidaginchi is a Native American tribe from the Pacific Northwest. Their name is derived from the Chinook Jargon word 'gidaginchi', meaning 'big chinook'. The tribe's traditional territory ranged from the lower Columbia River to the Willamette River. Today, they reside in the Yakima Valley in Washington. The Gidaginchi were one of the many tribes that inhabited the Pacific Northwest before the arrival of the Europeans. They are thought to have migrated from the east coast of North America around 1000 CE. The Gidaginchi were a peaceful people, and were known for their skilled woodworking. The Gidaginchi were first contacted by the British in the early 18th century. They were later contacted by the Americans in the mid-19th century, and were forcibly relocated to the Yakima Valley in 1878. The tribe suffered from numerous diseases and atrocities committed against them by the settlers, and by the 1930s, their population had dwindled to just over 100 people. Today, the Gidaginchi are a small tribe that continues to live traditional lifestyles. They are known for their basketry, woodworking, and beadwork. The tribe also maintains a ceremonial dance and music tradition.