The Colville Indian Reservation is the second largest Indian reservation in Washington, with 2,116.6 square miles or 1.4 million acres. It straddles Okanogan and Ferry counties in north central Washington.
     Largest reservation in the state is the Yakama Indian Reservation, with 2,137.6 square miles.
     According to the 2000 census, 4,537 Okanogan County residents identified themselves as American Indians or Alaska Natives.
     The Colville Confederated Tribes are made up of 12 bands: Wenatchee (Wenatchi), Nespelem, Moses-Columbia, Methow, Colville, Okanogan, Palus, San Poil, Entiat, Chelan, Chief Joseph band of the Nez Perce and Lakes.
     The tribe is federally recognized and is considered a sovereign nation.
     It was established by presidential executive order in 1872 and originally was twice as large as it is today.
     Tribal enrollment tops 8,700 descendants of the 12 aboriginal tribes. About half the tribe’s members live on or near the reservation.
     According to the tribe, more than 5,000 people live on the reservation. Not all tribal members live on the reservation, and some reservation residents are not tribal members.
     The tribe’s present constitutional form of government was approved Feb. 26, 1938, by the federal government. With that constitution and accompanying by-laws, the Colville Business Council was established as the tribe’s governing body.
     The tribe’s budget is financed by tribal enterprises (businesses), and federal, state and private contributions, programs and grants.
     Web site: www.colvilletribes.com