Twana is a collective name for a group of nine Salish peoples in the northern-mid Puget Sound region of Washington State.
The nine groups are the Dabob (čttaʔbuxʷ), Quilcene (sqʷul̕sidəbəš), Dosewallips (čtduswaylupš), Duckabush (čtduxʷyabus), Hoodsport (čtslal̕aɬlaɬtəbəxʷ), Skokomish (squqəʔbəš), Vance Creek (čtq̓ʷəlq̓ʷili), Tahuya (čttax̌uya), and Duhlelap (čxʷlələp)
These nine groups were historically autonomous, joined only by a shared language, culture, and geographical location. The same land area was shared freely by these Twana groups, although they resided in separate villages. The village for the Dabob was at Long Spit, at the head of Dabob Bay, while the Quilcene were at the mouth of Donovan Creek, the Dosewallips at the mouth of the Dosewallips River, the Duckabush at the mouth of the Duckabush River, and the Hoodsport were at the mouth of Finch Creek. More numerous, the Skokomish had villages at the confluence of the forks of the Skokomish River, the mouth of McTaggert Creek, on a flat on the Skokomish River, below the falls at Lake Kokanee, and at the former end of Lake Cushman. The Vance Creek village was in the upper part of Vance Creek, while the Tahuya were at the mouth of Tahuya Bay, and the Duhlelap were at the mouth of Mission Creek, where Belfair State Park is now.
The ancestral origins of the Twana include the Proto-Salish people, who migrated into Washington, where they eventually split into twenty-three distinct groups. The traditional lands of the Twana people included the Hood Canal drainage basin in western Washington State.
Like other Coast Salish people, the Twana lived in semi-permanent villages, generally moving between summer and winter locations to follow fishing and crop seasons. Traditionally, the Twana hunted, fished, and gathered edible foods. Their primary diet resources included salmon, herring, smelt, seals, sea otters, deer, elk, black bear, and game birds, as well as shellfish, and edible plant species.
Twana men practiced woodworking that included planks, houses, canoes, utensils, and containers. They also carved bones, antlers, and stones.
Traditional Twana culture and religion included a belief in the heart and life souls that occupy each person, with the loss of one being associated with illness and death. Deities included the Sun and the Earth, and shamans possessed the power to cause or cure illness.
Today, most of the Twana population are members of the Skokomish Indian Tribe, a federally recognized tribe of Skokomish, Twana, Klallam, and Chimakum people. Others reside on the Chehalis Indian Reservation as members of the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation.
The Skokomish Tribe operates a tribal hatchery, a casino, and a grocery and deli. The tribe also publishes a newspaper, and conducts a language resource center within the Twana Language Project.
Although traditional Twana ceremonies were dormant for nearly a century, several of them were reestablished in the late 1970s, early 1980s, and ongoing. These include traditional basketry, carving, and dance projects.
This portion of our guide to American Indian and First Nations people examines the Twana people, including the Skokomish and other groups.
Recommended Resources
Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, The
The federally recognized tribe consists of Upper and Lower Chehalis, Klalla, Muckleshoot, Nisqually, Quinault, and Twana people, among the indigenous peoples of the Northwest Coast. The reservation consists of 4,438 acres, and the tribe is headquartered in Oakville, Washington. Its history, member information, member services and programs, businesses, employment opportunities, and contacts are provided. A resource directory and newsletter are also included.
https://www.chehalistribe.org/
Acquired by the Skokomish Tribe in 2015, The Glen Ayr Resort offers a variety of guest accommodations, including cottages, townhouses, kitchenettes, king and queen hotel rooms, and recreational vehicle sites. It also has a spa, dock, and beach along the Hood Canal. Located in Hoodsport, Washington, the resort map, online reservations for lodging and boat slips, and policy information are included. Dive charters and boat cruises are also available. A resort map and customer reviews are featured.
https://www.garesort.com/
Also known as the Skokomish Tribal Nation, the federally recognized tribe includes the Skokomish, Twana, Klallam, and Chimakum people. The Skokomish Reservation is located north of Shelton, Washington, and is headquartered at Skokomish, a census-designated place. Its website includes a tribal directory, tribal council members, committees, member programs and services, and fishing regulations pertaining to the Skokomish Reservation. "The Sounder," a. tribal newspaper, is available in PDF format.
https://skokomish.org/
The Twana Language Program of the Skokomish Indian Tribe is a cultural and educational initiative aimed at reviving and teaching the Twana language, which is a Salishan language. Although the last native speaker of Twana passed away in 1980, efforts are underway to bring the language back into use within the community. The website serves as a platform for the program, offering resources and information related to the language and culture, including an e-dictionary, the alphabet, and sounds.
https://skokedu.org/
