The story of the Columbia River Basin's ethnic groups has been relatively hidden, and museums, libraries, and scholars have only just begun to gather the records, images, recollections, and artifacts of these groups and to write about their histories. This project brings together selected highlights of the ethnic collections from leading repositories in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. In addition to the digital archive, there are tutorials on how to research and interpret library and museum resources.

A project of Washington State University Vancouver, the Idaho State Historical Society, Oregon Historical Society, Washington State Historical Society, and Washington State University Pullman.

The African American civil rights-related materials in the collection include photographs of African American organizations and integrated events, pictures of the African American men and women who were the first of their race in various positions, interviews with local African Americans, and reports on local conditions.