Most all languages in the world, except for English, pronounce phonetically every letter of the word.  Doing so stretches the words out but leads to clarity of speech and understanding.  All words are important and definitely mean specific things.  When a person comes to know the real meaning of words, he or she will carefully choose the words to be used to communicate a much clearer and precise communication.

Spoken words convey meaning, observation, instruction, and information.

The great communicators know their own language well and use it properly.

Lewis and Clark and their Corps of Discovery passed through the mountain country of Central Idaho Territory in 1805 headed west and then retraced their steps in 1806 when returning to the east.  They crossed the country without much scientific knowledge or technology.  They gathered and learned what was needed as they themselves gained knowledge about those things, people, and events they encountered.  These two explorers quickly found that they had many things in common with their Indian brothers without much previous knowledge, equipment, or experience.  For instance, the Indians possessed and used ropes which equalled the ropes made by the white man.  Apparently the explorers did not investigate to find out from what source the Indians obtained the material for their ropes.  Over the years since the Corps of Discovery there has been much spirited conversation and curiosity regarding exactly what type and kind of material was actually used to make their ropes and use them for their attendant purposes.  To the modern day Indian rope making is a lost art.  A few historians of the modern era have gone to great lengths and trouble to trace and identify the plants that were actually used in their rope-making efforts.  In his pioneering search and research for the truth, Mr. George M. Robertson, a resident of the time period involved from the actual townsite of Kamiah, Idaho Territory, discovered much very interesting information surrounding the truth about the Nez Perce Indian secrets dealing with their rope making activities.  This good man unraveled the mystery of the origin, spelling, and pronunciation of the name “Kamiah.”

“Kamo—a rope; also the plant from which rope and other useful articles were made by the Nez Perce Indians.”

“Kamiop—a place where kamo was gathered and made into many useful articles.”

“Kamia—(now spelled Kamiah), the litter and scraps left over from the manufacture of kamo into useful articles.”

On May 10, 1806, both Lewis and Clark experienced their very first view of the valley of Kamiah. Miss Kate McBeth, Christian missionary to the Nez Perces describes their reception of the explorers as follows:

“Of course, they were met at the foot of the hill by fine looking braves on spirited ponies, who then guided them to the entrance to their “long house” (which was the lodge of their chief, Black Eagle.  The structure was approximately 150 feet in length.  They were formally received in due form under the flag of the United States which had been sent to this location in the previous fall of the year to the great chief, Black Eagle.”

“The historian for Lewis and Clark describes this lodge as being located on Komearc Creek.  The use of an “r” in spelling the word Kamearc can be easily forgiven after they tell us their difficulties of communication.  The Nez Perce speaker delivered his message in his own language, a Shoshone Indian translated it into the Shoshone language, Sacajawea then delivered it to her husband in the French tongue, and he then gave it to the Lewis and Clark historian in English.  A misplaced “r” under such difficulties is certainly a small and insignificant matter, but the Indians, from time immemorial, have always pronounced the word Kamiop, ‘a’ as in at, ‘i’ as in it, ‘o’ as in not, accent on the first syllable, and it would be impossible for one of the older Indians to give effect to the letter ‘r’ in such a combination of phonetic sounds.

Nez Perce Indians relate that in and around the time of Lewis and Clark and their trek through the Kamiah Valley there used to be a plant growing naturally along this creek which was named  by the Indians,“kamo,”  ‘a’ as in at, ‘o’ as in note, accented on the first syllable from which the Indians in the golden days made ropes, fishing lines, and other useful items….the word kamo is also translated rope.  

After a thorough search for a specimen of this Kamo plant, several plants were discovered growing wild along the Salmon River between Slate Creek and John Day Creek as well as  along the lower reaches of the Grande Rhonde River near Lewiston, Idaho.  After a complete testing by the Botony Department of the University of Idaho, results of the analysis revealed that this plant was identified as “apocynum androsaemifolium,” more commonly known as “Indian Hemp.”

Over the years other reliable sources (men of great integrity) have provided statements announcing that the name “Kamiah” actually means “little pieces of broken sticks or broken weeds.  Other quality people of the area tell us that “Kamiah” means little pieces of broken sticks or grass,… litter.

So, the final results of research, tell us the following: Kamio(p) is a place name where kamo was assembled for manufacture; that Kamia(h), first ‘a’ as in at, ‘i’ as in it, second ‘a’ as in final, accented on the first syllable, was and is thus pronounced by all of the older Indians.  Mr.  A.W. Talkington, an early pioneer of the Clearwater country and personally well acquainted with Miss Kate McBeth, Missionary to the Nez Perce Indians stated that the word Kamiah has always meant just as it is disclosed above.  

The word Kamiah means “litter made in the process of manufacture of kamo into useful articles.

The Nez Perce Indians of 1806 used the word Kamiop for the name of their village and the name of the creek by the side of which their village was located.

So now you know.  The names given to people, places, events, and activities throughout the settling of our nation all have historical meaning and most usually provide meaningful understanding of their real meaning and purpose.

Peace and Love to All of You………………………….Poppa Bear