About

Our Common Voice

The Upper Columbia United Tribes (UCUT) takes a proactive, collaborative, and science-based approach to promoting fish, water, wildlife, diverse habitat, and Indian culture in the Northwest.

We provide a common voice for our region through the collaboration of five area tribes: the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho and the Spokane Tribe of Indians.

Together, we manage and influence nearly two million acres of reservation land, and we influence at least 14 million acres of aboriginal territories, 500 miles of waterways, 40 interior lakes, and 30 dams and reservoirs. Formed in 1982, we came together to ensure a healthy future for the traditional territorial lands of our ancestors. As sovereign nations, we are charged with the protection and enhancement of our natural resources. UNITED FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL Image: Seneacquateen Mat Lodge, Credit: Kalispel Tribe of Indians

 

By The Numbers

Established 1982

5 Member Tribes:

Coeur d'Alene Tribe of Indians, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Kalispel Tribe of Indians, Kootenai Tribe of Idaho & Spokane Tribe of Indians

Actively managing about 2 million acres


Image Credit: Kalispel Tribe of Indians

Our Mission

To unite Upper Columbia River Tribes for the protection, preservation, and enhancement of Treaty/Executive Order Rights, sovereignty, culture, fish, water, wildlife, habitat and other interests and issues of common concern in our respective territories through a structured process of cooperation and coordination for the benefit of all people.

Protecting Our Ancestral Lands

The territory that UCUT protects, preserves and works to enhance includes some of the most valuable and diverse natural resources in our region from Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and into Canada.


Our territories feature unique and stunning landscape including forested mountains, grass-covered hills, and river habitat like the great Columbia River, the Kootenai River, the Spokane River, Priest Lake, Lake Coeur d'Alene, and Lake Pend Oreille.