Suquamish Foundation

The Suquamish Tribe, whose name means "People of the Clear Salt Water" in their traditional Lushootseed language, has inhabited the central Puget Sound region of what is now Washington State since time immemorial – for over 10,000 years. Their traditional territory spanned the Kitsap Peninsula, Bainbridge Island, and extended into parts of what is now Seattle. They are a Coast Salish people, part of a larger cultural and linguistic group connected by marriage, trade, and shared traditions.

The Suquamish are renowned for their connection to the water, their expert skills as fishers, canoe builders, and basket makers, and their deep spiritual reverence for the natural world. Their history is intertwined with the iconic Chief Seattle (siʔaɫ), a pivotal leader known for his diplomacy, eloquence, and powerful advocacy for his people and the environment during the challenging period of early European settlement and treaty negotiations. His gravesite is located in the Suquamish Memorial Cemetery.

Historical Context and Treaty Rights:

The Suquamish's history with the United States government is defined by the Treaty of Point Elliott, signed in 1855. This treaty established the Port Madison Indian Reservation for the Suquamish and Duwamish tribes, while ceding vast ancestral lands to the U.S. government. Crucially, the treaty reserved their inherent rights to hunt, fish, and gather in their "usual and accustomed" areas, rights that have been consistently affirmed by federal courts and remain central to their cultural, economic, and sovereign identity today. Despite periods of significant cultural disruption due to disease, forced assimilation policies (like boarding schools), and the destruction of sacred sites (like the Old Man House, their large winter communal longhouse), the Suquamish people have maintained their cultural resilience and fought to uphold their treaty rights.

Governance: A Strong, Self-Governing Nation

The Suquamish Tribe operates as a sovereign nation, led by a democratically elected seven-member Tribal Council. This Council consists of four officers (Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary) and three at-large members, elected by the Tribe's General Council. This self-governance allows the Tribe to manage its own affairs, develop laws, and provide services tailored to the unique needs and values of its citizens.

The Tribal Council oversees numerous departments and enterprises that contribute to the well-being and economic development of the community.

Suquamish Tribe - A Healthy Culture

Key Pillars of Work and Services:

The Suquamish Tribe provides a comprehensive array of programs and services to its members and the broader community, reflecting its commitment to cultural preservation, economic development, and environmental stewardship:

1. Cultural Preservation & Education:

   • Suquamish Museum: A vital institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing Suquamish history, art, and culture. It serves as a hub for cultural, educational, and language programs, offering exhibits, a gift shop, and an outdoor learning area.
   • House of Awakened Culture: A modern longhouse-style building used for traditional gatherings, ceremonies, language teaching, and community events, symbolizing the revitalization of their cultural heart.
   • Language Revitalization: Efforts to preserve and teach the Lushootseed language.
   • Traditional Practices: Continuing and teaching traditional skills like basket weaving, canoe carving, and storytelling.
   • Historic Preservation: The Fisheries Department has an Archaeology and Historic Preservation Program dedicated to protecting cultural resources, responding to discoveries of ancestral remains, and working for their repatriation.

2. Environmental Stewardship & Natural Resources:

   • Fisheries Department: Central to their identity and treaty rights. They engage in co-management of fisheries with state and federal agencies, focusing on sustainable harvest, habitat restoration, and salmon recovery. This includes operating their own salmon hatchery.
   • Environmental Program: Dedicated to protecting Treaty-reserved fishing rights and resources. They work on:
     • Shellfish Bed Recovery: Actively working to upgrade shellfish growing area classifications and improve water quality by addressing pollution sources (e.g., wastewater treatment plants, agricultural runoff). They perform water quality testing and work with state agencies.
     • Combating Pollution & Cleanup: Involved in Superfund cleanup projects and natural resource damage assessments and restoration.
     • Fish Passage Barriers: Working to eliminate culverts and other barriers that prevent salmon from accessing spawning areas.
     • Ocean Acidification Research: Developing innovative tools and educational materials to understand and address the impacts of ocean acidification on marine life, particularly zooplankton, which form the base of the food web.
     • Land Use Review: Reviewing development and environmental permit applications to ensure protection of habitat and water quality.

3. Community Development & Social Services:

   • Health Division: Providing holistic and comprehensive health services including community health, nutrition, primary care (Healing House), and mental health/chemical dependency services (Wellness Center).
   • Education Department: Offering innovative educational opportunities that embrace cultural values, including the Marion Forsman Boushie Early Learning Center, Chief Kitsap Academy (their K-12 school), and Higher Education support services.
   • Human Services: Providing benefits and services to promote the health and welfare of individuals and families.
   • Housing Department: Managing housing programs to address the need for safe, decent, and affordable housing on the reservation.
   • Youth Center: Offering culturally appropriate recreational activities and support for youth.
   • Tribal Child Welfare: Supporting families with Native children and providing family support services.

4. Economic Development:

   • Port Madison Enterprises (PME): The Tribe's economic development arm, which manages various commercial enterprises including the Clearwater Casino Resort, Suquamish Clear Creek RV Park, and Suquamish Seafoods. PME generates revenue to support tribal government services and economic self-sufficiency.
   • Suquamish Seafoods: Oversees commercial seafood activities, including harvesting, processing, marketing, and sales of shellfish and fish.

5. Law and Justice:

   • Suquamish Tribal Courts: Providing a legal forum for conflict resolution consistent with Tribal laws, rights, customs, and traditions.
   • Suquamish Police Department: Serving and protecting all community members on the Port Madison Indian Reservation.

Impact and Significance: A Living Sovereignty

The Suquamish Tribe represents a powerful example of Indigenous resilience, self-determination, and effective governance. Their impact is seen in:

• Protection of Treaty Rights: Their ongoing vigilance and legal actions ensure the continued recognition and enforcement of their treaty-reserved hunting and fishing rights, which are vital for their culture and economy.
• Environmental Leadership: They are at the forefront of protecting and restoring the ecological health of Puget Sound, demonstrating a deep stewardship ethic. Their efforts on shellfish bed recovery and ocean acidification are particularly notable.
• Cultural Revitalization: Successful efforts to bring back and teach their language, ceremonies, and traditional practices, ensuring the continuity of Suquamish identity.
• Community Well-being: Providing comprehensive and culturally relevant services that significantly improve the quality of life for their citizens.
• Economic Self-Sufficiency: Through their enterprises, they generate revenue that supports their government and programs, reducing reliance on external funding.
• Intergovernmental Relations: Maintaining strong government-to-government relationships with federal, state, and local entities, advocating for their interests and collaborating on shared goals.

The Suquamish Tribe's commitment to their ancestral heritage, their inherent sovereignty, and the well-being of their people and the environment makes them a pivotal voice in the Pacific Northwest and a model for Indigenous governance.