NISQUALLY TRIBE

THIS TRIBE LIVES ON THE NISQUALLY RIVER, 15 MILES FROM THE OLYMPIA. IN 2005 THEY HAVE 5700 POPULATION, 600 OF WHOM ARE ENROLLED IN THIS TRIBE. THE ADDITIONAL 5100 ARE SERVICE POPULATION WHO LIVE OFF RESERVATION WHO LIVE OFF THE RESERVATION. THE RESERVATION IS 500 ACRES. THE PART LOCATED EAST OF THE RIVER, 3300 ACRES IS CONTROLLED BY FORT LEWIS, MILITARY BASE.

THEY HAVE LIVED THEY HAVE LIVED HERE LONG BEFORE 1833 WHEN THE ANGLOS ESTABLISHED THE FIRST WHITE SETTLEMENT ON PUGET SOUND. THEY WERE A RICH FISHING PEOPLE. IN 1854 THE GOVERNMENT MOVED THEM TO ANOTHER RESERVATION OF 1280 ACRES IN THURSTON COUNTY. BY 1856 THEY ENLARGE IT BY EXECUTIVE ORDER BY EXECUTIVE ORDER TO 4700 ACRES BY NISQUALLY RIVER. THEY LIVED IN PEACE FOR A WHILE HARVESTING THEY LIVED IN PEACE FOR A WHILE HARVESTING FISH FROM THE RIVER AND SHELLFISH, CRABS, OYSTERS, AND SEAFOOD. IN 1917 THE ARMY BOUGHT THEIR LANDS AND ORDERED THEM TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES. THEIR LANDS WENT TO FORT LEWIS. TODAY ABOUT 650 LIVE NEAR THE RESERVATION. TODAY THEY ARE ONE OF THE LARGEST EMPLOYERS IN THE COUNTY, BUILDING A STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM FOR PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT.

THE NISQUALLY CULTURE PROGRAM WAS CREATED TO ORGANIZE AND REVITALIZE THE NISQUALLY, TRADITIONAL VALUES, BELIEFS, AND PRACTICES TO KEEP THEIR CULTURE ALIVE AND MAKE THE WORLD A DIFFERENT PLACE. THEY HOPE TO DEVELOP CULTURAL FACILITIES, CULTURAL CENTER, A CANOE CENTER, NATIVE ART CLASSES, WITH SONGS AND DANCE. INVOLVE THEIR ELDERS IN TEACHING ABOUT FISHING AND HUNTING TO THE YOUTH. ORAL HISTORIES OF ELDERS, CONSTRUCTING A LONG HOUSE, AND A CANOE LANDING. AS OF 2005 THE HAD A SERVICE AREA TRIBAL LAND HOLDINGS THAT EXCEED 1000 ACRES THAT WERE ACQUIRED IN THE LAST 25 YEARS.

ACCORDING TO THEIR LEGEND THE "SQUALL 1 - ABSCH" THEIR ANCESTORS CAME NORTH FROM THE GREAT BASIN AND ERECTED THEIR FIRST VILLAGE IN A BASIN NEAR SKATE CREEK. THEY CURRENTLY OPERATE 2 FISH HATCHERIES ON CLEAR CREEK AND ONE ON THE KLAMATH.

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