Sahewamish facts for kids
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| United States (Washington) | |
| Languages | |
| English, Lushootseed | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Salishan Twana peoples |
The Sahewamish are a group of Native American people from the Northwest. They are part of the larger Coast Salish family and speak a language called Lushootseed. The Sahewamish were skilled fishermen and hunter-gatherers. They lived in permanent villages along the southwestern shores of Puget Sound, in what is now Washington. Their territory stretched from Shelton, Washington to the Nisqually River. They had about six main villages.
Today, many Sahewamish descendants live on the Nisqually Reservation near Olympia. Others live on the Squaxin Island Tribe reservation, which is close to Shelton.
Contents
History of the Sahewamish People
The Sahewamish people have a long history in the Puget Sound area. For thousands of years, they lived off the land and water, building a rich culture.
Early European Contact
European explorers began to arrive in the late 1700s.
- In 1787, the Strait of Juan de Fuca was first seen by Europeans.
- A year later, in 1788, a British explorer named John Meares visited the area.
- In 1790, Manuel Quimper from Spain explored both sides of the strait.
- Then, in 1792, Captain George Vancouver from Britain created detailed maps of the region. These early visits marked the beginning of big changes for the Sahewamish.
Changes and Treaties
As more Europeans arrived, new settlements and trading posts were built.
- In 1827, the Hudson's Bay Company, a large fur trading company, built Fort Langley. This brought more trade and interaction to the region.
- Starting in 1841, many settlers began to arrive from the east, traveling along the Oregon Trail. This led to more people moving into the Sahewamish lands, and sometimes, conflicts happened.
- A very important event was the Treaty of Medicine Creek in 1854. This treaty was signed between the United States government and several Native American tribes, including some Sahewamish leaders. Treaties like this often changed how Native American lands were owned and used, and they created reservations for the tribes.
Their Language: Lushootseed
The Sahewamish people speak a dialect of the Lushootseed language. Lushootseed is part of the larger Salishan language family.
In 1990, there were about 60 older adults who still spoke the Sahewamish dialect of Lushootseed. Learning and keeping their traditional language alive is very important for the Sahewamish people. It helps them connect with their history, culture, and ancestors. Many efforts are being made today to teach Lushootseed to younger generations.
