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Nisqually Indian Tribe of the Nisqually Reservation facts for kids

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Nisqually Indian Tribe
of the Nisqually Reservation
Squally-Absch
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 of the Nisqually Reservation is a federally recognized tribe of Nisqually people. They are a Coast Salish people of indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest. Their tribe is located in Washington.

Some of the people of Nisqually descent are enrolled in the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation but neither tribe allows a Nisqually to be enrolled in both tribes at the same time.

Reservation

The Nisqually Reservation is 1,000-acres large and located in Thurston County, Washington, 15 miles east of Olympia. All of the current reservation land was acquired by the tribe in the last 25 years. The reservation was established by the Treaty of Medicine Creek of 1854. Originally 5,105 acres, the reservation was mostly east of the Nisqually River in Pierce County, Washington. The tribal lands were broken into individual allotments in 1884. In 1917, Pierce County, through the process of condemnation proceedings (eminent domain), took 3,370 acres (14 km²) for the Fort Lewis Military Reserve.

Language

English is commonly spoken on by the tribe. Their traditional language is the Nisqually language, which is a Southern Puget Sound Salish language.

Economic development

The Nisqually Indian Tribe owns and operates Red Wind Casino, Blue Camas Buffet, Squalli-Absch Grille, The Medicine Creek Deli, and Pealo's Landing.

Notable tribal members

  • Billy Frank Jr. (b. 1931), Indigenous rights and environmentalist activist
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