The Northwest Plateau culture area is located in the north-central portion of Western North America, nestled among five other culture areas.  
This area varies from semi desert to dense forests and snow covered mountains.  
The Native Americans in this area practiced democracy and peacefulness in their loosely organized villages and lived in harmony with neighboring tribes.  
The NW Plateau groups and Euro-Americans experienced first contact in 1805, when the American expedition led by Lewis and Clark passed through the region.