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What kind of government did they have?
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Before the introduction of the horse and the influence of Plains culture, the
village always formed the sociopolitical unit. There was no nation or state
that ruled over the villages. The forms of government varied over time,
as well as from one tribe to another.
But the rule of the village differed from tribe to tribe.
The Thompson Indians had informal village meetings for decision making, and in matters of general interest the consent of all the villagers had to be obtained.
The Sanpoil had a more structured form of government - the village had a chief, a subchief, and a general assembly in which every adult had a vote (except for young men who were not married).
The Nez Percé had a similar organization until the buffalo hunts on the Plains started.
Each village had a chief whose office was hereditary, except in the case of poorly qualified sons.
Sometimes groups from several villages came together at certain fishing sites or camas (edible lily) meadows, and on these occasions the leading men of the villages constituted an informal council.
Early in the 19th century this organization was overruled when families from different villages joined to form bands for the autumn hunts on the Plains. The authority of the village chiefs lapsed as good hunters and fighters became band chiefs.
As a result of pressure from missionary and governmental agencies, a tribal head chief was appointed in the 1840s, but he was unable to win any influence over the people.
A truly tribal political organization existed among the Flathead, who had a head chief of great power and band chiefs under him. The head chief decided on matters of peace and war and was not bound by the recommendations of his council.
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