Cayuse History

       The Cayuse Indians occupied an area of northeastern Oregon in between the Umatilla and Nez Perce tribes. The Cayuse language is considered to be a language isolate within the Penutian language phylum, but the tribe was culturally very similar to the Nez Perce tribe to the east.
       The Cayuse, like their Nez Perce neighbors, were noted horsemen and today a sturdy breed of horses bears the name of 'Cayuse.' Horses were used extensively by the Cayuse as a sign of wealth, power, and prestige. Described by early Americans as an "imperial tribe," the Cayuse would use their horses to intimidate neighboring tribes and force them into submission. (Ruby:13-15)