How did trade make the Plateau a crossroads of cultures?

The Plateau region served as a cultural crossroads primarily due to its strategic geographic location, situated amidst four other distinct culture areas: the Northwest Coast, the Plains, the Great Basin, and California.12

An expansive trade network facilitated this interaction, allowing for the movement of goods, people, and ideas. This constant exposure to external influences enabled Plateau peoples to excel at material innovation and the adaptation of foreign technologies for their own purposes. Key examples of this cultural diffusion include:12

• Northwest Coast Influences: Trade-based interactions and migrations, such as that of the Chinook-speaking Wishram, introduced innovations like mat-covered houses, pit houses, specific animal motifs in wood and bone carving, and distinct burial practices.1
• Plains Influences: Following the acquisition of horses from the Shoshone in the 18th century, many Plateau groups adopted elements of Plains material culture. This included the use of tepees, beaded dresses, and feathered war regalia, particularly among groups like the Sahaptin, Flathead, and Kutenai.12

While some groups adopted these external practices, others, such as the northwestern Salishan peoples, maintained traditional Plateau customs, highlighting the region's role as a dynamic site of both exchange and cultural preservation.1