Snoqualmie Indian Tribe facts for kids
| sdukʷalbixʷ | |
|---|---|
Snoqualmie Tribal Government Campus,
Snoqualmie, Washington |
|
| Total population | |
| approximately 650 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| City of Snoqualmie City of North Bend Greater Seattle Area  Washington United States |
|
| Languages | |
| English, Southern Lushootseed | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity, traditional tribal religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Snoqualmie people |
The Snoqualmie Indian Tribe (called sdukʷalbixʷ in their native Lushootseed language) is a federally recognized tribe in the United States. This means the U.S. government officially recognizes them as a sovereign nation. They are Coast Salish Native American people. Their ancestral lands are in the Snoqualmie Valley in eastern King and Snohomish Counties in Washington state. People have also known the Snoqualmies by names like Snoqualmu, Snoqualmoo, Snoqualmick, Snoqualamuke, and Snuqualmi.
The Snoqualmie Tribe: A Rich History
The Snoqualmie people have a long and important history in the Pacific Northwest. In 1855, some Snoqualmies moved to the Tulalip Reservation. This happened after they signed the Point Elliott Treaty with the Washington Territory. A treaty is an official agreement. However, many Snoqualmie people chose to stay in their traditional homelands. These areas included the Snoqualmie Valley and Lake Sammamish.
At that time, the Snoqualmie were one of the largest tribes in the Puget Sound region. Their population was around 4,000 people. For a period, the tribe lost its official recognition from the federal government in 1953. This meant they lost certain rights and support. But in October 1999, the Bureau of Indian Affairs officially recognized the Snoqualmie Tribe once again.
After regaining recognition, the tribe worked to secure land for their community. They purchased land near Snoqualmie, Washington, for a reservation. A reservation is land set aside for Native American tribes. On this reservation, the tribe opened the Snoqualmie Casino in 2008. This casino helps create jobs and fund important services for tribal members.
The tribe also worked hard to get back more of their ancestral lands. In late 2021, the Snoqualmie Tribe purchased the Snoqualmie Tribe Ancestral Forest. These 12,000-acre ancestral forestlands (4,900 ha) are in East King County. This land is very important for the tribe's environment, economy, and history. The forest, which was once used for industrial timber, is now managed sustainably. This means the tribe carefully harvests timber while also protecting native plants and wildlife.
How the Tribe is Governed
The Snoqualmie Tribe governs itself as a sovereign nation. This means they have the right to make their own laws and manage their own community. Their government follows a Tribal constitution. An elected Council leads the tribe.
The Tribal Council makes decisions for the community. Their government structure includes important functions. These include creating building codes and health codes. These rules help ensure the safety and well-being of all tribal members.
