Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation

Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation: Twelve Sovereign Bands Protecting Lands, Culture, and Natural Resources in the Columbia Plateau

Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation

Twelve Bands, One Nation: Honoring the Past, Protecting the Future

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (CTCR) represent twelve distinct bands of Indigenous people who have long inhabited the Columbia Plateau. United through shared culture, history, and resilience, the Colville Tribes continue to serve as stewards of their ancestral lands in northeastern Washington. Today, they manage more than 2,100 square miles of tribal government and member-owned lands, rich in natural resources, cultural heritage, and opportunity.

Brief Tribe History

Before colonization, the ancestors of the Colville Tribes lived a nomadic lifestyle—following seasonal cycles to fish, gather plants, and hunt across a vast territory. Their deep relationship with the land was disrupted in 1872, when the U.S. government issued a Presidential Executive Order to create the original Colville Indian Reservation. Just months later, a second order reduced its size and relocated it west of the Columbia River.

Despite multiple federal actions—including the 1887 Allotment Act and the 1892 cession of the reservation’s northern half—the Colville Tribes persisted. Through decades of land loss, political decisions, and cultural suppression, they held onto their sovereignty and identity.

Today’s Colville Reservation spans approximately 1.4 million acres and is home to vibrant communities who continue to maintain their connection to the land. In 1997 and 1998, the Tribes commemorated 125 years of survival and reaffirmed their prayer to the Creator: that one day, all Colville lands will again be held in trust for the benefit of their people.

Key Programs & Partnerships

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation are deeply invested in managing and protecting their vast natural resources. The Fish & Wildlife Department plays a leading role in sustaining native and desired non-native species, maintaining habitat health, and supporting the Tribe’s cultural, subsistence, and recreational needs. Their programs address species restoration, forest management, water quality, and invasive species control across their diverse landscape of rivers, lakes, forests, and grasslands.

The Tribes also collaborate with federal and state agencies to manage conservation areas, protect endangered species, and preserve cultural resources. Their interdisciplinary approach merges traditional ecological knowledge with modern science to ensure long-term ecological balance and tribal sovereignty.

Beyond natural resource management, the Colville Tribes prioritize economic development, healthcare, education, and cultural programming that uplifts tribal youth and strengthens intergenerational connections. Their leadership continues to inspire regional solutions for sustainability, justice, and community well-being.