Not to be confused with the Squamish people, the Suquamish are a Coast Salish people of the Pacific Northwest, specifically the Central Puget Sound Region in what is now the State of Washington.
Most contemporary Suquamish people are enrolled in the federally recognized Suquamish Indian Tribe, which owns the Port Madison Indian Reservation. Consisting of 7,657 acres, some of which are owned by individual members of the Suquamish Tribe, the reservation is in northern Kitsap County, Washington.
The reservation was authorized under the terms of the 1855 Point Elliott Treaty for the Suquamish people, and established under executive order in 1864. Other Coast Salish peoples, including Duwamish and Sammamish, also moved to the reservation.
The traditional language of the Suquamish people is a dialect of Lushootseed, within the Salishan family of languages.
Historically, the Suquamish lived in longhouses assembled into small villages. While villages were autonomous, they were affiliated with other tribes through family relationships, trade, language, and political agreements.
The Suquamish inhabited the western shores of Puget Sound, from Apple Tree Cove in the north to Gig Harbor in the south, including Bainbridge and Blake islands. During the warm months, they traveled while hunting and gathering food.
The traditional diet of the Suquamish people was heavy in salmon, clams, and oysters, as well as berries, roots, and other edible plants. Deer, birds, and other game were also hunted for food.
On the Port Madison Reservation, the Suquamish continue to fish and harvest in their traditional territory, albeit smaller than in the past.
The Tribe's economy includes fishing and harvesting. Port Madison Enterprises, the development arm for the Suquamish Indian Tribe, is the second-largest private-sector employer in Kitsap County. The Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort, White Horse Golf Club, Kiana Lodge, PME Retail, and Property Management are among its ventures.
The tribal government supports programs and services that work to continue the traditions of the Suquamish people into the next generation and beyond, funding comprehensive language programs, education, and various cultural activities. It also supports local artists, and its business arm contributes to local organizations and charities.
This portion of our web guide to American Indian and First Nations people and communities focuses on the Suquamish people. Websites representing the tribal government or any of its programs, facilities, businesses, enterprises, schools, medical facilities, or events are appropriate for this category, as are those owned and operated by Suquamish individuals.
Recommended Resources
Chief Kitsap Academy is a grade 6-12 school in Suquamish, in unincorporated Kitsap County, Washington, operated by the Suquamish Tribe Department of Education. It is housed in the former Northwest College of Art & Design. This website features the school's athletic program, including its fall, winter, and spring schedules, game schedules, a calendar of events, a photo gallery, and a page for videos. A student and parent handbook, school calendar, and athletic handbook may be downloaded.
https://ckabears.com/
Owned by the Suquamish Indian Tribe and operated through Port Madison Enterprises, the tribe's economic arm, the casino resort is located in Suquamish, Washington. The casino's hours of operation, slots, table games, sportsbook betting, keno, and its Players Club programs are featured, while the resort includes hotel rooms and RV spaces, which are highlighted here, with available packages, special offers, spa, private event spaces, dining options, and a list of amenities.
https://www.clearwatercasino.com/
Formed by the Suquamish Tribe in 2008 to generate revenue for the tribal government, to facilitate the development of Suquamish community resources, and to increase economic opportunities for enrolled members of the tribe. Chartered as a subsidiary of Port Madison Enterprises, the company's history, mission, and vision are stated, along with its services, projects, aggregates, trucking rates, information, employment opportunities, and contacts posted on the site.
http://pme-cc.com/
The federally recognized Suquamish Indian Tribe is based on the Port Madison Reservation in northern Kitsap County, Washington. The official tribal website introduces the tribal council, boards, and committees, as well as the Suquamish tribal code, enrollment policies, investment reports, and departmental contacts. Other resources include an overview of the Suquamish Museum, Fort Madison Enterprises, and the businesses operated through FME. News, announcements, photos, and videos are available.
https://suquamish.nsn.us/
Established by tribal charter in 1996, Suquamish Seafood Enterprises was created to develop seafood markets for tribal fishermen, as well as to market the harvests of geoduck clams that populate the waters surrounding the Suquamish Indian Tribe. SSE is a fully-chartered business entity of the Suquamish Tribe Port Madison Indian Reservation, which borders the west side of Central Puget Sound and is home to many fish and shellfish species that are harvested by tribal members.
https://suquamishseafoods.com/
