Columbians. Applied by Bancroft 1 to the Indians of north west America dwelling between lat 42º and 55º and stated by him to be synonymous with the Nootka-Columbians of Scouler and others. The term Columbians, however, is evidently broader in its scope, as it includes all the tribes west of the Rockies from the Skittagetan group, in the north to south boundary of Oregon, while Scouler’s term comprises a group of languages extending from the mouth of Salomon River to the south of Columbia River, now known to belong to several linguistic stocks.
Citations:
- Bancroft, Native Races, i, 150, 1882[↩]