During 19th century settlement, when a few reservations were created in Western Washington, many Chinook people were pushed off their lands. With no Chinook reservation, some became affiliated with other tribes. Some Chinook people moved north to join the Quinault Reservation, while others joined the Shoalwater Reservation, on the north side of Willapa Bay. Some chose to stay home, and continue fishing. Their descendants in the area are the people now working for tribal recognition. These Chinook people have maintained a tribal identity, despite many having moved away. Tribal leaders working for federal recognition believe that with a land base, some of the scattered Chinook families would return.

The Corps of Discovery noted about 400 Chinook people living near Cape Disappointment in the early 1800’s. Their population had already dwindled during the previous dozen or so years from smallpox and other infectious diseases they had caught from traders. During the following 25 years, the people were truly decimated by disease, with perhaps only 30 to 40 survivors.