Idaho, as part of the Oregon Country, was claimed by both the United States and United Kingdom until the United States gained undisputed jurisdiction in 1846. Although white people had already begun to settle in Idaho before, after gold was discovered in 1852 on the Pend Oreille River settlement greatly increased. This led to conflict with local Indian populations, and Idaho has the unfortunate history of hosting the west's worst slaughter of Native Americans at the Bear River Massacre (fought near present day Preston) in 1863. Idaho is perhaps the only state that was likely named as the result of a hoax. In early 1860s, when the United States Congress was considering organizing a new territory in the Rocky Mountains, eccentric lobbyist George M. Willing suggested the name "Idaho," which he claimed was derived from a Shoshone language term meaning "the sun comes from the mountains" or "gem of the mountains." Willing later claimed that he had made up the name himself. Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state. Idaho is nicknamed the Gem State because of its abundance of natural resources and pristine landscapes. The area that is today Idaho has been the home to Native Americans for thousands of years, these people have always seen the value of the land in Idaho. Its mountain peaks, fertile valleys, and deep lakes and rivers have always provided a home and sustenance to the Indians. Native Americans may have inhabited Idaho as long as 14,500 years ago. Excavations at Wilson Butte Cave near Twin Falls in 1959 found arrowheads and other human evidence that rank among the oldest dated artifacts in North America. Native American tribes predominant in Idaho include the Nez Perce in the north and the Northern and Western Shoshone tribes in the south. Today, in Idaho, there exist four Indian reservations, they are: the Coeur d’Alene Reservation which is the home to the Coeur d'Oreille (Skitswish), Kutenai, Pend d'Oreille (Kalispel), and Spokan Native American nations; the Fort Hall Reservation which is home to Indians of the Bannock and Shoshoni nations; the Lapwai Reservation home of the Nez Perce people; and the Lemhi Reservation where Bannock, Sheepeater (Tukuarika), and Shoshoni Native Americans call home. KWABLA has partnered with Native American artisans of the Nez Perce nation in Idaho. To browse KWABLA's catalogue of cultural goods or listing of cultural artisans from Idaho, click on the links below. |
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| Catalogue of Cultural Goods from Idaho, USA | | | Listing of Artisans from Idaho, USA | ||
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