Steilacoom people facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| extinct as a tribe | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
United States  United States(Washington  Washington) |
|
| Languages | |
| one of the Salish languages | |
| Religion | |
| Indigenous religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Cowlitz people |
The Steilacoom were a group of Native American people who lived in the Puget Sound area of Washington state in the United States. They were part of the larger Coast Salish group, which includes other tribes like the Nisqually and Puyallup peoples, who also lived in the Puget Sound region.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The Steilacoom people were also known by other names. These included Steilacoomamish and Stelakubalish.
Where Did They Live?
The Steilacoom people lived along a waterway called Chambers Creek. This creek is also known as Steilacoom Creek. Their home was in the area that is now the town of Steilacoom, Washington.
An archaeologist named Carrol L. Riley wrote that the Steilacoom's land included Anderson Island, McNeil Island, and Fox Islands. These islands are located near Puget Sound. Their territory also stretched along Chambers Creek and Sequalitchew Creek.
Scientists have found an old summer camp of the Steilacoom people. This camp is on the north side of Chambers Creek in Pierce County, Washington. An archaeologist from Western Washington University confirmed it was a Steilacoom site.
Steilacoom History and Daily Life
The Steilacoom people spoke a special kind of the Salish language. They mostly got their food from the ocean, like fish and shellfish. However, they also traveled inland to hunt animals for food.
Before Europeans arrived, it's thought that about 500 Steilacoom people lived in the area. Sadly, by 1853, a terrible sickness called smallpox greatly reduced their numbers. Only about 25 people were left.
In 1854, the remaining Steilacoom people signed an agreement called the Medicine Creek Treaty. But unlike some other tribes, they did not receive a permanent reservation (a special area of land set aside for them).
Modern Steilacoom Heritage Group
Today, there is a group called the Steilacoom Tribe of Indians. This group is based in Steilacoom, Washington. They say they are descendants of the historic Steilacoom people. However, the United States government does not officially recognize them as a tribe. They are also not recognized by the state.
Since 1929, members of this group have tried to get official recognition from the U.S. government, but they have not been successful. In the early 2000s, the group claimed to have about 600 members.
In 2008, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) looked into their claims. The BIA found that only three members could show they were direct descendants of people known as Steilacoom Indians in old documents. The other members had Native American family history from different tribes.
In 2019, this heritage group started the Steilacoom Tribal Museum Association. This is a nonprofit organization that works to preserve their history and culture.
