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Chehalis Indian Language

There are actually two distinct Chehalis languages, Upper Chehalis and Lower Chehalis. These two Salishan languages of Washington State are about as different from each other as English and German. Today only a few semi-fluent speakers of either language remain, and Lower Chehalis language revival advocates are working to merge their language with the neighboring Quinault language, so it is usually Upper Chehalis that is referred to by the name Chehalis today.

˜Chehalis Language Resources –

Lower Chehalis Vocabulary
Our list of vocabulary words in Lower Chehalis, with comparison to words in other Salishan languages.

Upper Chehalis

Lower Chehalis
Demographic information about the Chehalis languages from the Ethnologue of Languages.

Upper Chehalis Dictionary
Dictionary of the Upper Chehalis language for sale online (out of print)

˜Chehalis Culture and History Links –

Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis
Official website of the Washington Chehalis tribe.

Lucky Eagle Casino
Homepage of the Chehalis casino.

The Chehalis:
Curtis' early 20th-century ethnography of the Upper Chehalis, Shoalwater Bay, and Lower Chehalis Indians.

Hazel Pete
Biography of a Chehalis elder.

Chehalis Indians
History of the Chehalis tribe's interactions with the Lewis and Clark expedition.

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