Cathlamet Indians. Significance unknown. Also called:
- Guasámas, or Guithlamethl, by the Clackamas.
- Kathlamet, own name.
- Kwillu’chini, by the Chinook.
Cathlamet Connections. The Cathlamet belonged to the Chinookan stock. The dialect to which they have given their name was spoken as far up the Columbia River as Ranier.
Cathlamet Location. On the south bank of Columbia River near its mouth, claiming the territory between Tongue Point and the neighborhood of Puget Island, and on the north bank from the mouth of Grays Bay to a little east of Oak Point.
Cathlamet Villages.
- Ika’naiak, on the north side of the Columbia River at the mouth of Coal Creek Slough just east of Oak Point.
- Ilo’humin, on the north side of Columbia River opposite Puget Island and near the mouth of Alockman Creek.
- Kathla’amat, on the south side of Columbia River about 4 miles below Puget Island.
- Ta’nas ilu’, on Tanas Ilahee Island on the south side of the Columbia River.
- Wa’kaiyakam, across Alockman Creek opposite Ilo’humin.
Cathlamet Population. Mooney (1928) estimated 450 Cathlamet in 1780. In 1805-6 Lewis and Clark gave 300. In 1849 Lane reported 58. They are now extinct as a separate group.
Connection in which the Cathlamet have become noted. The capital of Wahkiakum County, Washington, perpetuates the name of the Cathlamet.