By the end of the 18th century, European trade goods formed part of an existing Chinookan trade system extending from the Pacific Ocean to the Columbia Plateau. Indigenous people from Fairview Lake to the Willamette River relied on fish and wapato both as food staples and for trade. Dentalium shells provided the economic trade standard.

"Hiqua" or dentalium was obtained from Vancouver Island, then strung in fathoms that determined their value. These dentalia number eighty to the fathom, whereas the standard, high value dentalia numbered forty to the fathom. Photo by Norma Lee Kayler. Courtesy of Dr. Robert H. Ruby