In the mid-1850's, the federal government wanted to make the Washington Territory a state. The federal government determined that the tribes were sovereign nations with title to the land. The United States government approached individual tribes, in the same manner that it would approach another sovereign nation, and negotiated treaties to acquire the lands held by the tribes. Under the terms of the treaties, the tribes ceded millions of acres of land to the federal government. However, the tribes retained certain rights that would enable them to provide for themselves.
All tribes prohibit hunting for commercial purposes.
Deer and elk meat are elements of feasts that are part of tribal ceremonies and other cultural events such as potlatches, funerals and naming ceremonies. These occur throughout the year. Tribes harvest only a small number of animals for ceremonial purposes. Tribes also depend on hunting to feed themselves. On some reservations unemployment reaches 80 percent.