What was the status of smaller tribes trying to maintain their independence in the Pacific Northwest?

The status of smaller tribes trying to maintain their independence in the Pacific Northwest reflects their efforts to navigate the complex political landscape of the time. Many smaller tribes aimed to remain neutral in conflicts as a strategy to protect their sovereignty and avoid alignment with either colonizing powers or larger tribes. This neutrality allowed them to minimize conflict and maintain their cultural practices and territorial rights amidst the pressures of encroachment from settlers and the United States government. Neutrality could also serve as a way for these tribes to engage selectively in diplomacy, without fully committing to the agendas of larger nations or tribes that might compromise their autonomy.

While some tribes may have sought alliances or even engaged in warfare at different times, the emphasis for many smaller tribes was on finding a way to coexist peacefully without losing their independence. This contextual understanding highlights the delicate balance smaller tribes sought to maintain in the face of significant external pressures.