| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
 United States (Washington) | |
| Languages | |
| English, Columbia | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Colville, Sanpoil, Nespelem, Sinixt, Wenatchi, Entiat, Methow, Southern Okanagan, Palus, Nez Perce of Chief Joseph's band, and Pisquow |
The Sinkiuse-Columbia are a Native American tribe so-called because of their former prominent association with the Columbia River. They belong to the inland division of the Salishan group, with their nearest relatives being the Wenatchis and Methows. The Sinkiuses call themselves .tskowa'xtsEnux, or .skowa'xtsEnEx (meaning has something to do with "main valley"), or Sinkiuse. They apply the name to other neighboring Interior Salish peoples, potentially originating from a band that once inhabited the Umatilla Valley.[1]
Other names the Sinkiuse-Columbia people were known by include:
- Bo'tcaced, by the Nez Percé, probably, meaning "arrows" or "arrow people."
- Papspê'lu, another Nez Perce name, meaning "firs," or "fir-tree people."
- Isle-de-Pierre, name conferred by the French Canadian employees of the fur companies, meaning "rock island", perhaps for a band of the tribe.
- Middle Columbia Salish, so called by Teit (1928) and Spier (1930 b).
- Sa'ladebc, probably the Snohomish name.
- Suwa'dabc, Snohomish name for all interior Indians, meaning "inland people," or "interior people."
- swa'dab.c, Twana name for all interior Indians, meaning "inland people."
- swa'namc, Nooksack name for all interior Indians, meaning "inland people."
- Ti'attluxa, Wasco Chinook name.
- ^ "Columbia or Sinkiuse-Columbia Indians". okanogan-county-guide.com. September 25, 2005. Retrieved October 3, 2007.