What Language did Plateau People Speak?

The Plateau people, a diverse group of Indigenous peoples living in the interior plateau region of North America, spoke a variety of languages. It's important to note that "Plateau People" is not a single linguistic or cultural group. It encompasses many distinct nations, each with their own language and traditions.

Here are some examples of language families and individual languages spoken by Plateau peoples:

* Salishan: This family includes languages like Ntlakapamux, Sechelt, Squamish, and Shuswap, spoken in the southern interior of British Columbia and parts of Washington State.

* Wakashan: Kwakiutl, a Wakashan language, is spoken on the northern coast of Vancouver Island.

* Interior Salish: This includes languages like Okanagan, Thompson, and Lillooet, spoken in the interior of British Columbia.

* Athabaskan: Carrier, Sekani, and Chilcotin are spoken in the northern interior of British Columbia.

* Algonquian: Blackfoot is spoken in Alberta, Montana, and Saskatchewan.

It's important to remember that many Plateau languages are endangered and some have even become extinct. Efforts are underway to revitalize these languages and preserve their cultural heritage.

Instead of speaking about "the Plateau language," it's more accurate to talk about specific languages and the cultures they represent.