In this section of our guide on American Indians, we will be covering the Lummi (Xwlemi) people.
Also known as Lhaq'temish, or "People of the Sea," the Lummi are a Native American tribe related to the Coast Salish, and based in the coastal area of the Pacific Northwest region of Washington State. While the historic territory of the Lummi ranged from the San Juan Islands to the interior foothills of the Lummi River watershed, today, they are concentrated on or around the Lummi Indian Reservation, just west of Bellingham, which includes most of the Lummi Peninsula and Portage Island, along with western Whatcom County, twenty miles south of the Canadian border
The ancient villages of the Lummi people were known as Hutatchl, Lemaltcha, Statshum, and Tomwhiksen. In pre-colonial times, the Lummi migrated seasonally among several sites in their territory, including Point Roberts, the Lummi Peninsula, Portage Island, and sites in the San Juan Islands, including Sucia Island. They lived near the sea and in the mountain regions for 12,000 years, returning to their longhouses seasonally, located in areas included in their current reservation, in western Whatcom County and the San Juan Islands, which has a land area of just under twenty-one square miles, and includes the Lummi Peninsula and the uninhabited Portage Island.
The traditional Lummi religion was based on pantheism, which is the belief that everything in nature has a spirit and is sacred. This was a common characteristic among American Indians throughout the continent. The Lummi honored their ancestors, viewing them as spiritual guides.
Influenced by missionaries of the Catholic Oblate Order, large numbers of Lummi converted to Christianity. Today, members of the Lummi Nation still practice some aspects of their traditional religion, particularly the ceremonies, dances, and songs, although they incorporate Christian values and beliefs.
In the late 20th century, the Lummi began a campaign to revive elements of traditional culture, such as the potlach, a gift-giving feast practiced by several tribes along the Pacific Northwest Coast. The potlatch involves giving away or destroying wealth or valuable items in order to demonstrate a leader's wealth and power. The practice was illegal in Canada from 1885 to 1951, although it continued underground.
The Lummi language, known as Xwlemi Chosen, is a dialect of the North Straits Salish language. The language is still spoken on the Lummi reservation and is taught at Ferndale High School, Lummi Nation School, Vista Middle School, Horizon Middle School, Skyline Elementary School, Eagleridge Elementary School, and the Northwest Indian College. NWIC was established by the Lummi Nation in 1973 as the Lummi Indian School of Aquaculture, but it was chartered as a post-secondary institution (Lummi Community College) in 1983 and was accredited by the Northwest Commission on College and Universities in 1993 when it took its current name. It is an open-enrollment school.
Approximately 6,500 people reside on the Lummi Reservation; although the majority of them are neither tribal members nor affiliated with any member of the Lummi Nation, more than 40% of them identified as whites.
The Lummi Nation owns a large oyster farm and aquaculture facilities on the reservation, and they were among the first tribes to open a casino in Washington after the passing of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. It closed a few years later, but a new casino (Silver Reef Casino) opened closer to the Interstate in 2002. The Lummi Commercial Company, a privately-held company wholly owned by the Lummi Nation, generates revenue for the tribal government and helps to develop, maintain, and operate Lummi tribal retail and commercial operations, as well as supporting entrepreneurship and business among tribal members.
The tribe also has a K-12 tribal school (Lummi Nation School), which is supplemented by a boarding facility for teenage students.
The tribe operates a monthly newspaper, Sqol Quol, which is available online.
Online resources representing the Lummi Nation tribal government or any of its entities, as well as schools, places of worship, libraries, medical facilities, businesses, or industries closely associated with the Lummi tribal government or individual Lummi people, are appropriate for this topic, as are Lummi organizations and events.
Recommended Resources
Born and raised in the Lhaq'te'mish territory, otherwise known as the Lummi Reservation, Cyaltsa (Creative Cuzzin) grew up commercial fishing and then became an ironworker in Seattle before receiving an AA in Multimedia from the Art Institute of Seattle. As an artist, he uses different mediums, including acrylic and oil painting on canvas or wood, sketching with pen or pencils, clay, cedar bark, and metal. A portfolio of his work is presented, along with a schedule of upcoming art shows.
https://creativecuzzin.com/
The Lhaq'Temish Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports the Lummi Nation, an American Indian tribe in Washington State. The foundation's goals include improving the health, quality of life, culture, and education of the Lummi people and their community. Its projects have included supportive housing, youth wellness, art and culture, veterans services, and environmental stewardship. Leadership contacts are provided, and its programs, funding opportunities, and events are noted.
https://lhaqtemishfoundation.org/
Founded in 2000, LCC is a privately-held company, fully owned by the Lummi Nation. Its purposes are to develop, maintain, and operate Lummi tribal retail and commercial enterprises; generate revenue for the tribal government; develop business expertise in the management and administration of tribal retail and commercial enterprises; enhance employment opportunities for tribal members; and support tribal member entrepreneurship and businesses. Contacts are posted.
https://www.lcc-lummi.com/
Accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, the Lummi Tribal Health Center offers direct healthcare services provided at the Lummi Tribal Health Center, as well as Purchased and Referred Care (previously known as Contract Health) for approved healthcare services not provided at or by the Lummi Tribal Health Center. An introduction is provided, along with an overview of its services, fitness center, and behavioral health, dental, medical, and physical therapy services.
https://www.lummihealth.gov/
The Lummi Nation primarily resides on and around the Lummi Indian Reservation, west of Bellingham, Washington. The Lummi are the original inhabitants of Washington's northernmost coast and southern British Columbia. The tribal government police department, court, health services, human resources, economic development, and education department are discussed, along with the Lummi Indian Business Council, and elected and appointed tribal government personnel.
https://www.lummi-nsn.gov/
LNS is a K-12 tribal school for the Lummi people. Affiliated with the Bureau of Indian Education, the school offers in-person and online education. This site highlights the school's on-site and online learning resources and applications for students, parents, and staff, as well as a library catalog and a newsletter, as well as information about the school's mission, vision, values, and culture, as well as its academic programs, activities, sports, events, and family and student services.
https://www.lns-onlinelearning.org/
Established by the Lummi Nation, NIC is the only accredited tribal college or university serving reservation communities of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. An open-enrollment institution, the college now serves several other American Indian people, and non-native students as well. Its admissions policies, educational pathways, institutional effectiveness programs, student life programs, and Lummi Library are featured, along with an online application and contacts.
https://www.nwic.edu/
Pacific Northwest Tribal Lending
Originally known as Lummi CDFI, PNTL is a non-profit tribal Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides access to education, financing, and asset growth for American Indian families. The corporation is based on indigenous values and principles created by the first peoples of the Pacific Northwest and serves the tribal small businesses and entrepreneurs within the Lummi Nation and beyond. Its services, team, and contacts are provided.
https://www.lummicdfi.org/
Owned by the Lummi Nation, the casino resort is situated on the reservation, east of Ferndale, Washington, twenty minutes south of the Canadian border, with easy access from I-5. Its location is shown on a map, and its rooms are highlighted, along with hotel packages; its spa, gift shop, and golfing facilities are featured, along with casino promotions, table games, slots, and sports betting. Its restaurants and bars are spotlighted, and online booking is available.
https://www.silverreefcasino.com/
The Squol Quol is the official online publication of the Lummi Nation. Published monthly by Lummi Communications, it includes news, announcements, public notices, and reports of activities and events relevant to members of the Lummi Nation at the local, state, or national levels. The contents of the Squol Quol may be viewed through PDFViewer, allowing it to be accessed through a web browser. An archive of past issues is available, and readers may subscribe to be alerted to new issues.
https://www.squolquol.com/
Swil Kanim is a U.S. Army veteran, a classically trained violinist, a Native storyteller, an actor, and a member of the Lummi Nation. Due to his ability to inspire, he is a sought-after keynote speaker for conferences, workshops, school assemblies, and rehabilitation centers. Information about his availability for assemblies and classroom visits is set forth, along with schedules, testimonials, a blog, and an online shopping area offering various branded materials.
https://www.swilkanim.com/
