Nisqually Indian Tribe of the Nisqually Reservation facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 650 enrolled members | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( Washington) |
|
| Languages | |
| English, Nisqually | |
| Religion | |
| traditional tribal religion, Indian Shaker Church | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Nisqually people |
The Nisqually Indian Tribe is a group of Nisqually people officially recognized by the U.S. government. They are part of the Coast Salish people, who are Native Americans from the Pacific Northwest region. Their home is in the state of Washington.
Some people with Nisqually heritage also belong to the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation. However, a person cannot be a member of both tribes at the same time.
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The Nisqually Reservation: A Tribal Home
The Nisqually Reservation is a special area of land that belongs to the Nisqually Tribe. It covers about 1,000 acres. This land is located in Thurston County, Washington, about 15 miles east of Olympia. All of the land the tribe currently owns on the reservation was bought by them in the last 25 years.
The reservation was first set up by the Treaty of Medicine Creek in 1854. It was originally much larger, about 5,105 acres. Most of this land was east of the Nisqually River. In 1884, the tribal lands were divided into smaller pieces for individual families. Later, in 1917, Pierce County took about 3,370 acres of the reservation. This land was used to create Fort Lewis, a military base.
Nisqually Language and Communication
Today, most members of the Nisqually Tribe speak English. However, their traditional language is called the Nisqually language. This language is part of the Southern Puget Sound Salish language family. It is an important part of their heritage and culture.
Growing the Nisqually Economy
The Nisqually Indian Tribe works to create jobs and support its community. They own and run several businesses. These include the Red Wind Casino, which has different restaurants like the Blue Camas Buffet and the Squalli-Absch Grille. They also operate The Medicine Creek Deli and Pealo's Landing.
In 2017, the tribe started buying empty land in northern Lacey. They plan to build a new business area there. This large property, about 260 acres, was fully transferred to the tribe in 2020. The tribe plans to build a new casino, a convention center, and an entertainment area. This new development will be called Quiemuth Village. It is located north of Interstate 5.
Important Nisqually Tribal Members
- Billy Frank Jr. (1931-2014) was a famous Nisqually tribal member. He was an important activist who fought for Native American rights. He also worked hard to protect the environment.
