Nisqually
The Nisqually are a Coast Salish tribe native to the region of western Washington State, with a contemporary population of around 650 members. Historically, they lived in permanent winter villages characterized by rectangular split-planked houses and relied on a mix of marine and terrestrial resources for sustenance, adhering to a seasonal subsistence pattern and a structured division of labor. The tribe faced significant challenges in the mid-19th century due to the encroachment of settlers and the consequences of treaties such as the 1855 Medicine Creek Treaty, which led to the loss of much of their land, including two-thirds of their reservation by 1917.
Despite these historical challenges, the Nisqually have made considerable strides in the 21st century, becoming one of the largest employers in Thurston County through various business endeavors, including a casino and dining establishments. They also prioritize the preservation of their cultural heritage and environmental stewardship through dedicated programs. The Nisqually community today is a testament to resilience and adaptation, reflecting a commitment to both their traditions and contemporary economic development.
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Nisqually
- CATEGORY: Tribe
- CULTURE AREA: Northwest Coast
- LANGUAGE GROUP: Salishan
- PRIMARY LOCATION: Washington
- POPULATION SIZE: 650 (2024 Nisqually American Indian Tribe); 639 (2020 Nisqually Reservation Decennial US Census)
A Coast Salish people of what is now western Washington state, the socially stratified Nisqually lived in permanent winter villages of split-planked rectangular houses. They depended on both marine and land resources for food, practiced a definite yearly subsistence round of travel, and observed a strict division of labor.
The 1850 Donation Act of Oregon allowed settlers to acquire and settle on lands belonging to the Nisqually and others. The 1855 treaties of Point No Point, Point Elliott, and Medicine Creek reserved small tracts of land that eventually became reservations, including the Nisqually Reservation. Chief Leschi, who incited unrest among numerous groups, refused to accept the 1855 Medicine Creek Treaty. The US Army occupied and eventually expropriated two-thirds of the Nisqually Reservation in 1917, forcing some inhabitants to relocate to other reservations. Other nations lost valuable waterfront property to the expanding city of Tacoma. In the twenty-first century, many Nisqually live on the Chehalis Reservation, along with some Clallam, Muckleshoot, Quinault, and Chehalis. In the twenty-first century, the Nisqually became one of the largest employers in Thurston County, Washington, operating several businesses including the Red Wind Casino, Blue Camas Buffet, Squalli-Absch Grille, The Medicine Creek Deli, and Pealo's Landing. Through the nation's Culture Program, they remained committed to preserving their cultural heritage and protecting the environment.
Bibliography
Blee, Lisa. Framing Chief Leschi: Narratives and the Politics of Historical Justice. U of North Carolina P, 2014.
"Culture Program." Nisqually Indian Tribe, www.nisqually-nsn.gov/index.php/administration/tribal-services/community-services/culture-program. Accessed 28 Oct. 2024.
Heffernan, Trova. "Billy Frank: Fish, Roots, and Perseverance." Columbia: The Magazine of Northwest History, vol. 26, no. 3, 2012, pp. 2–3.
"Heritage." Nisqually Indian Tribe, www.nisqually-nsn.gov/index.php/heritage. Accessed 28 Oct. 2024.
Kluger, Richard. The Bitter Waters of Medicine Creek: A Tragic Clash between White and Native America. Knopf, 2011.
"Nisqually Reservation, WA." US Census Bureau, data.census.gov/profile/Nisqually‗Reservation,‗WA?g=2500000US2460. Accessed 28 Oct. 2024.
"The Profile." Thurston Regional Planning Council, Dec. 2023, www.trpc.org/391/The-Profile-Thurston-County-Statistics-D. Accessed 28 Oct. 2024.
Ruby, Robert H., John A. Brown, and Cary C. Collins. A Guide to the Indian Tribes of the Pacific Northwest. 3rd ed., U of Oklahoma P, 2010.