Photograph of Chehalis woman courtesy MSCUA, University of Washington Libraries, NA1157
Chehalis Indians (Chilwitz, Chiltz)
While wintering at Fort Clatsop, November 1805 to March 1806
The Chehalis were expert watermen who lived north of the mouth of the Columbia River. They were frequent visitors to the Corps of Discovery at Fort Clatsop.
Already in decline by the early 1800s, these Salish-speaking Indians suffered further from smallpox and measles epidemics, influenza, and other diseases.
Today the remaining Chehalis share the Quinault Reservation in Washington State with the Chinook.
WILLIAM CLARKNovember 21, 1805
"the Chiltz Nation who reside on the Sea Coast near Point Lewis. ..."
