The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, formerly known as the Stillaguamish Tribe of Washington, is a federally recognized tribe of Stillaguamish people. They are a tribe of Southern Coast Salish indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest located in Washington.
Other Stillaguamish people are enrolled in the Tulalip Tribes.
Name
The name has been used since 1850 to refer to indigenous peoples living along the Stillaguamish River. In 1855, they used the name Stoluck-wa-mish, which is how they sign the Point Elliott Treaty.
Reservation
The Stillaguamish Tribe's trust lands are located in Snohomish County, Washington. The tribe was granted a reservation by the federal government in 2014.
Government
The Tribe's constitution, approved by the Tribal Council on January 31, 1953, provides for the administrative responsibilities of Tribal government to be handled by the popularly elected six-member Stillaguamish Tribal Council. The Tribal Council is composed of a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, and two Members.
As of June 2023, the Stillaguamish Tribal Council/Board of Directors is as follows: Chairman: Eric White Vice Chairman: Jeremy Smith Treasurer: Gary Tatro Secretary: Kadi Bizyayeva Member: Joshua Wells Member: Stacy White.
The Tribe petitioned the US Federal Government for federal recognition in 1974; it was granted on October 27, 1976.
Language
English is commonly spoken by the tribe. Formerly tribal members spoke Lushootseed, a Central Salish language. The language is written in the Latin script and a dictionary and grammar have been written in the Lushootseed.
Economic Development
The Stillaguamish Tribal Business Development Department develops and works in partnership with the Board of Directors for the tribe's businesses that include River Rock Tobacco & Fuel and the Angel of the Winds Casino Resort, all located in Arlington.
Notes
References
Pritzker, Barry M. A Native American Encyclopedia: History, Culture, and Peoples. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. .
External links
Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, official website
Esther Ross and the Struggle for Stillaguamish Identity, review by Carter Jones Meyer
Coast Salish governments
Native American tribes in Washington (state) Geography of Snohomish County, Washington Federally recognized tribes in the United States Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast