Mourning Dove, 1888-1936

Christine Quintasket or Hum-ishu-ma, better known by her author name Mourning Dove, was a Native American (Okanogan (Syilx), Arrow Lakes (Sinixt), and Colville) author best known for her 1927 novel Cogewea, the Half-Blood: A Depiction of the Great Montana Cattle Range and her 1933 work Coyote Stories. Cogewea was one of the first novels to be written by a Native American woman and to feature a female protagonist.

She was born Christine Quintasket circa 1884 or at some time between 1884 and 1888 near Bonners Ferry, Idaho.. Quintasket was a surname her father had taken from his stepfather. She also was given an indigenous name, Hum-Ishu-Ma.

Early in her life, Quintasket was forced to give up her language while attending the Sacred Heart School at the Goodwin Mission in Ward, near Kettle Falls, Washington. As a child, she could not remember the meaning of her Native name,but thought it meant Mourning Dove. She realized that she at first spelled it incorrectly in English as “Morning Dove” after seeing a bird labeled as a mourning dove in a museum; she then changed the spelling to 'Mourning' Dove. But she later in life she said, "The whiteman must have invented the name for it," after realizing that her people did not give women bird or animal names.

Her mother Lucy Stukin was of Sinixt (Lakes) and Colville (Skoyelpi) ancestry. Lucy was the daughter of Sinixt Chief Seewhelken and a Colville woman. Christine spent much time with her maternal Colville grandmother, learning storytelling from her.

Christine's father was Joseph Quintasket, a mixed-race Okanagan. His mother Nicola was Okanagan and his father was Irish. He grew up with his mother and stepfather. While living at the Colville Reservation, Christine Quintasket was enrolled as Sinixt (Lakes), but she identified as Okanogan. The tribes shared related languages and some culture.

Hum-Ishu-Ma learned English in school. After reading The Brand: A Tale of the Flathead Reservation by Theresa Broderick, she was inspired to become a writer. She wanted to refute Broderick's derogatory view of indigenous people. Her command of the English language made her valued by her fellow Natives, and she advised local Native leaders. She also became active in Native politics. She helped the Okanogan tribe to gain money that was owed them.