The Tulalip tribes are a confederation of Native American peoples in Washington state who traditionally hunted, gathered, and fished. They signed a treaty with the US government in 1855 and were later impacted by boarding schools. In the 1930s, they reorganized and today, they preserve their language and culture.
The Tulalip tribes are a confederation of Native American peoples originating in the northern Puget Sound region of Washington state. Others included in this confederation are the Snohomish, Salish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish, Skagit, Suiattle, Samish, and Stilaguamish groups. The Tulalip tribes generally shared some characteristics, such as salmon fishing and living in gable-roofed longhouses or simple sheds. They also share a common language called Lushootseed.
Historically, the different Tulalip tribes were non-agrarian. Rather, they followed a pattern of hunting, gathering, and fishing according to the seasons. They caught salmon during its spring and summer runs and stored it for use during the rest of the year. They supplemented their diet with game and also gathered berries and roots.
The Tulalips often traveled in handcrafted cedar canoes. Tribes moved frequently, following food sources. In the warmer months they generally lived in temporary structures while fishing. These were often made of cattail mats.
As the Tulalip tribes came into contact with Europeans and Americans, their traditional way of life was threatened. The first contact appears to have been with Captain George Vancouver in 1792. In 1855, many new non-Native settlers made their homes in the Puget Sound area, forcing the Tulalip tribes to relocate from their traditional homelands. In that year, the tribes signed a treaty with the US federal government granting them protection, land in reserve, and monetary compensation.
In the late 1800s, the Tulalips were in danger of losing their inheritance due to the education required by the US government. This education of Tulalip children was usually conducted in boarding schools, located away from reservations. It was designed to assimilate Native Americans into the primarily English culture that dominated the United States at the time. The Tulalip children did not learn much about their native language and history because they spent a lot of time away from their tribal elders.
In the 1930s, the Tulalip tribes reorganized under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. This legislation gave more rights to Native American tribes. With the reorganization, the Tulalip established a charter and charter governing members of the tribe.
Today, the Tulalip Reservation is home to approximately 3,600 people. Provides educational opportunities for members, in partnership with the local school district. Leaders are also active in preserving and teaching the Lushootseed language and keeping cultural traditions and celebrations alive.
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