Before the influx of British and Americans in the mid-1850s, the ancestors of the 12 aboriginal tribes followed seasonal cycles to gather their food sources.

Their traditional territories were grouped primarily around waterways, such as the Columbia, San Poil, Nespelem, Okanogan, Snake, and Wallowa rivers.

For a while, Great Britain and the United States disputed the territory of what the latter called the Oregon Country and the former the Columbia District.

Both claimed the territory until they agreed on the Oregon Treaty of 1846, which established United States title south of the 49th Parallel.

The report said, "contrary to natural rights and usage," the United States should grant lands that would become reservations to the Indians without purchasing from them.

"[citation needed] During this time, continued American settlement created conflicts and competition for resources with the native tribes.

White squatters are constantly making claims in their territory and not infrequently invading the actual improvements of the Indians.

The state of things cannot but prove disastrous to the peace of the country unless forestalled by a treaty fixing the rights of the Indians and limiting the aggressions of the white man.

The fact that a portion of the Indians refused all gratuitous presents shows a determination to hold possession of the country here until the government makes satisfactory overtures to open the way of actual purchase.

The remainder of the communal reservation land was allotted to households, in the same 80-acre amounts, and tribal authority ended, by act of Congress in 1906.

The government declared the land not allotted to be excess to tribal needs and opened it for settlement in 1916 by Presidential proclamation.

The Dawes Act enacted a US policy of terminating reservations and tribal government, and did not require any consent by or compensation to Indians.

In the face of loss of lands and considerable social distress, President Franklin D. Roosevelt changed federal policy toward the tribes.

Tribes were encouraged to re-establish their tribal governments and establish constitutions based on democratic electoral models.

In 1956, Congress restored tribal control to the Colville Tribes over all land in the south half that was not yet privately owned.

Elections are held mid-June, with votes cast in person at polling sites at a predesignated location (usually the local community center) or by absentee ballot.

The tribe is governed by a Chairman and the Colville Business Council, the latter consisting of members elected from tribal legislative districts.

Members of the United Columbia Upriver Tribes Committee are collaborating on ways to restore runs above the Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams, using new technology that eases the passage of fish.

Due to historically negative perceptions about Native Americans, students from Keller seldom attend the school in the predominantly European-American town of Republic, Washington.

Students sometimes encounter discrimination and poor perceptions also in Wilbur, Coulee Dam, and other towns neighboring the reservation.

Heritage College also offers some courses and degrees in Omak at the Wenatchee Valley College-North Campus building.