Salishan

[ sey-lish-uh n, sal-ish- ]

/ ˈseɪ lɪʃ ən, ˈsæl ɪʃ- /

a family of American Indian languages including Coeur d'Alêne, Kalispel, and other languages of British Columbia and the northwestern U.S.

of, relating to, or characteristic of this language family or its speakers.

Origin of Salishan

First recorded in 1885–90; Salish + -an

Billechola belongs under Salishan, a family name of Gallatins of 1836.

Indian Linguistic Families Of America, North Of Mexico |John Wesley Powell
Of the above tribes the Okinagan are now known to be Salishan.

Indian Linguistic Families Of America, North Of Mexico |John Wesley Powell
The tribe here referred to belonged to the Salishan stock; see Franchre's Narrative, in our volume vi, p. 340, note 145.

Early Western Travels 1748-1846, v. 27 |Various
Of the Bellacoola (Salishan family) and Haeltzuk, of the present family, there are 2,500 who are not under agents.

Indian Linguistic Families Of America, North Of Mexico |John Wesley Powell

This may also be said of some of the Salishan tribes, though others of the same stock have complicated systems.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 14, Slice 4 |Various