This section of our web guide to American Indian and First Nations people focuses on the Snoqualmie people.
The Snoqualmie are a Southern Coast Salish people native to the Snoqualmie Valley in east King and Snohomish counties in Washington State.
Today, descendants of the Snoqualmie people are enrolled in the federally recognized Snoqualmie Indian Tribe and the Tulalip Tribes of Washington.
After signing the Point Elliott Treaty in 1855, some Snoqualmie people settled onto the Tulalip Reservation, while others chose to remain in their homelands in the Snoqualmie Valley and Lake Sammamish. They were one of the largest tribes in the Puget Sound region at the time.
The federal government proposed creating a reservation for those who remained in 1937, but it was not done. In 1953, the tribe lost federal recognition, but it was reinstated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1999. The Snoqualmie purchased land near Snoqualmie, Washington, and were granted a reservation on that land. After initially failing to secure a reservation on ancestral lands along the Tolt River, a tributary of the Snoqualmie River, they were able to purchase the Snoqualmie Tribe Ancestral Forest in 2021.
The Tulalip Tribes of Washington reside on the Tulalip Reservation on Port Susan in western Snohomish County, adjacent to Marysville. The federally recognized tribe includes Duwamish, Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skagit, Suiattle, Samish, and Stillaguamish people, all of whom are South or Central Coast Salish people of the Pacific Northwest Coast.
The Tulalip Indian Reservation was established by the Treaty of Point Elliott in 1855, and granted by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1873. Communities within the reservation include Cathan, John Sam Lake, Priest Point, Quil Ceda Village, Shaker Church, Stimson Crossing, Tulalip Bay, and Weallup Lake.
Historically, Snoqualmie has been spelled several ways on various documents, including Snoqualmie, Snoqualmu, Snoqualmoo, Snoquelolmi, Snoqualmick, Snoqualamuke, Snoqualmi, and Snuqualmi.
Not much is known of the early history of the Snoqualmie people, prior to European contact, as the name was originally the name of the Snoqualmie River and a group of related villages on it, rather than the name of a united ethnic group, as it is today.
Near the beginning of the colonial period in the early 19th century, the Snoqualmie were targeted by northern tribal groups who were taking the Snoqualmie people as slaves. In response, the Snoqualmie began to expand their military capabilities.
Patkanim, a prominent Snoqualmie leader, created several defense systems for the Snoqualmie and centralized his power. He later led the tribe on several raids against the United States government in resistance to American colonization of tribal lands.
As the American military presence intensified, the Snoqualmie were signators to the Point Elliott Treaty, although those who signed were arbitrarily chosen and left out several of the traditional tribal leaders.
Under the terms of the Point Elliott Treaty, the Snoqualmie were to be removed to the Tulalip Reservation, situated along the coast.
Although some Snoqualmie did move onto the Tulalip Reservations, and their descendants remain there today, the majority did not. For one thing, the amount of land assigned to the reservation could not support the number of people who were supposed to be moved onto it. For another, the Snoqualmie people were not saltwater people, and many did not consider themselves suited to a saltwater lifestyle.
As a result, those who remained in their homeland were landless, working in logging camps and sawmills. Eventually, they purchased land for a separate reservation on a portion of their homeland.
This category highlights the Snoqualmie people and tribes in which Snoqualmie people are enrolled, as well as tribal governments, programs, enterprises, schools, medical facilities, and other entities, as well as activities and events. Businesses owned by individual Snoqualmie people would also be appropriate for this category.
Recommended Resources
The Seattle-based art and lifestyle brand is owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe, which partners with community-based Native artists around the country to design, manufacture, and market wool blankets and gifts for sale here. Featured Native artists are introduced, and online shoppers can shop by artist, view available products by browsing product categories, or use a keyword search. A physical store location in downtown Seattle is also an option. Also included is a blog.
https://eighthgeneration.com/
Hibulb Cultural Center and Natural History Preserve
The Hibulb Cultural Center and Natural History Preserve is charged with reviving, restoring, protecting, interpreting, collecting, and enhancing the history, traditional cultural values, and spiritual beliefs of the Tulalip Tribes. Located in Tulalip, Washington, the Center is about 23,000 square feet and has a 50-acre natural history preserve. Its location, directions, general admission costs, and hours are published on the site, which includes several photographs.
https://www.hibulbculturalcenter.org/
Operated by the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe, the Salish Lodge & Spa features views of Snoqualmie Falls and the Snoqualmie River. Its restaurant serves Pacific Northwest cuisine made from local and homegrown ingredients. Eighty-six guest rooms and suites are available, and shown here in photographs, a list of amenities, and options. Spa treatments, along with the facility's meeting spaces and packages, a calendar of events, special offers, gift cards, and online bookings, are discussed.
https://www.salishlodge.com/
The Snoqualmie Indian Tribe owns the casino in Snoqualmie, Washington. It features 1,700 slot machines, 59 gaming tables, sportsbook betting, and dining venues such as Vista Prime Steaks & Seafood, 12 Moons, Falls Buffet, Snoqualmie Cafe and Deli, and Drip, a coffee shop. The casino also hosts top-tier entertainment talent throughout the year. Its location, contacts, promotional offers, transportation options and reservations, meeting facilities, and expansion plans, are included.
https://www.snocasino.com/
The Snoqualmie Indian Tribe is a sovereign tribal nation with its own constitution and laws governing tribal citizens. This site celebrates the tribe's sovereignty and highlights significant dates and events along the way. It also features a Snoqualmie Rights Song, with the lyrics stated and videos of the song being performed. Recognition documents may be viewed on the site, and the website solicits members to share their thoughts and reflections on federal re-recognition.
https://snoqualmierightsday.snoqualmietribeweb.us/
Created and maintained by Mark Lauzon, son of Ronald Lauzon (Quil-A-Hud), a descendant of John Kanim, and a member of the Snoqualmie Family, the website is dedicated to members of the Snoqualmie Tribe and intended to inform, teach, and inspire its readers. Included are contemporary and historic photos representing Snoqualmie people, places, and Native American art, as well as blog articles on several topics relating to the Snoqualmie people, events, and issues.
https://snoqualmietalk.com/
The Snoqualmie Indian Tribe is a federally recognized tribe of Coast Salish people from the Snoqualmie Valley in east King and Snohomish counties in Washington. The tribal council and department directory are set forth, and community services, tribal enrollment policies, and tribal law are described. Other resources include tribal businesses, employment opportunities, upcoming events, an overview of tribal programs and services, and administrative contacts.
https://snoqualmietribe.us/
Situated in the mid-Puget Sound region of Washington, the federally recognized American Indian tribe is made up of Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skagit, Suiattle, Samish, and Stillaguamish people. The tribal website highlights the tribal government and introduces its board of directors and leadership, and presents the history of the tribes, information about heritage, land acknowledgment, and sovereignty. Visitor information, career opportunities, and member services are included.
https://www.tulaliptribes-nsn.gov/
