Last Updated on January 13, 2015 by Dennis
Kwaiailk Indians. Meaning unknown. Also called:
- Kwû-teh-ni, Kwalhioqua name.
- Nu–so–lupsh, by Sound Indians, referring to the rapids of their stream.
- Stak-ta-mish, a name for this and other inland tribes, meaning “forest people.”
- Upper Chehalis, common name.
Kwaiailk Connections. The Kwaiailk belonged to the coastal division of the Salishan linguistic family but a part of them were associated with the inland tribes by certain peculiarities of speech. Their nearest relatives seem to have been the Cowlitz and Chehalis.
Kwaiailk Location. On the upper course of Chehalis River.
Kwaiailk Villages: Cloquallum, on Cloquallum River.
Kwaiailk Population. In 1855, according to Gibbs (1877), the Kwaiailk numbered 216 but were becoming amalgamated with the Cowlitz. (See Chehalis Indians.)