Paloos (Pä-lus;) A Shahaptian tribe formerly occupying the valley of Palouse river in Washington and Idaho, and the north bank of Snake river as far as its junction with the Columbia. They were found by Lewis and Clark in 1805 on the Clearwater in Idaho. Their closest connection was with the kindred Nez Percé and they still hold close relations with that tribe. They were included in the Yakima treaty of 1855, but have never recognized the treaty obligations an have declined to lead a reservation life. They have 4 villages, all on Snake river, as follows: Almotu, Palus, Tasawiks, and Kasispa. They are active adherents of the Smohalla doctrine (Ghost Dance). Lewis and Clark estimated their number in 1805 at 1,600; in 1854 they were said to number 500; at present (1905) the population is unknown.
