History
Nestled
between the rugged mountain peaks of the Olympic Peninsula and the snow-capped
volcanoes of the Cascade mountains, the inland sea stretches forth in
mystery and enchantment, and clasped within the palm of her hand is a
pearl of great beauty; a small island known as Squaxin. Squaxin Island
is centered near the entrances to the seven inlets of southern Puget Sound
which surround it like the crosspoles of a sacred hoop. This is where
our lifeblood begins and flows. This tiny island of sea fog and rain,
salmon and cedar, is undaunted by the ebb of time. One with the sea that
surrounds her, the pulse of the island is rhythmic and primal; it has
become the very soul of the tribe that bears its name.
We are descendants of the maritime people who lived and prospered along
the shores of the southernmost inlets of Puget Sound for untold centuries.
Because of our strong cultural connection with the water, we are also
known as "The " People of the Water.
Pre-historically, Squaxin Island was a place of gathering. Songs sailed
out across the waterways as our ancestors paddled their magnificent cedar
canoes on their way to gather, trade, or attend a family potlatch there.
The waterways were our highways, and our people traveled extensively along
them, as far north as Vancouver Island and south along the Pacific Coast.
As our ancestors traveled by canoe, they listened the elders tell stories
that were passed down through many generations and taught important lessons
about life.
Our ancestors also traveled the extensive trade routes of the North American
continent, taking well-established trails across the Cascades into Yakama
Country, the Columbia River Basin and far beyond. One familiar route ran
from the Pacific Ocean, up the Chehalis River, into Black Lake and across
the Black Hills to Steh-Chass at the head of Budd Inlet and Squi-Aitl
at the head of Eld Inlet. Many of today's highways were built along existing
trail routes, worn deep by years of continuous use.
In 1853 the county surrounding the narrow inlet of Big Skookum, now known
as Hammersley Inlet, was named Sa-He-Wa-Mish in honor of our people who
were living there. However, in 1864 the name was changed to Mason County
in honor of Charles Mason, acting Governor in the absence of Isaac Stevens.
On Christmas Day, 1854 the Treaty of Medicine Creek was negotiated in
Chinook Jargon, a trade language inadequate to convey the complex issues
of treaty making. This treaty, signed on December 26, was the first in
Washington Territory. Approximately 600 people attended the negotiations,
although it was raining and miserably cold. Out of thousands of square
miles encompassing the ceded area of our people, the small island, four
and a half miles long and one-half mile wide, was retained as the main
area for all of our people to reside. The island was given the name of
the Squawksin of Case Inlet, and became known as Squaxin Island.
In our Lushootseed language, Squawksin means "in between," or
"piece of land to cross over to another bay" signifying the
location of the village site on the isthmus between Hood Canal and Puget
Sound. It is also said to have meant, "split apart." A legend
recounts a force of water entering and creating the bay that inundated
the land there.
Along with our people, the neighboring tribes of Nisqually and Puyallup
were also signatories to the Treaty of Medicine Creek. The Indian war
of 1856-57 erupted after the tribes became fully aware of the terms of
this treaty and fought to secure a more suitable landbase. During the
war hundreds of Indian people were confined on Squaxin Island which subsequently
became the local area Indian agency headquarters. A school, blacksmith
station and church were built there.
The Indian agency wanted to make farmers of our people, trying unsuccessfully
to force them to settle down in one place and raise crops. However, this
was not a productive way of life for people oriented to the rich resources
of the sea. When the war ended in 1857, our people resumed their traditional
way of life, harvesting berries and roots such as camas during the summer
and returning to the salmon runs in the fall.
Gradually our people began to leave the island to take up permanent residence
near their original homes. By 1862 the number of island residents had
dwindled to 50. With so few tribal members remaining on the island, the
Indian agency headquarters was moved to Puyallup. By 1959 only four-year-round
residents continued to live on the island.
Those who remained on the island lived in cedar shake houses or in float
houses, which they pike-poled from one place to another with the tide
and moored in sheltered coves. This provided easy access to their oyster
beds. Float houses were often stranded on the beach in the summer months,
and afloat during high winter tides.
When the "Indian War" ended, men worked as loggers, and many
families earned their living in the hop and berry fields. However, they
continued to harvest salmon, smelt, herring, clams, and oysters, and
the women made baskets and cedar dolls for sale in Olympia.
An Indian basket-collecting fad created a profitable, although time-intensive,
occupation around the turn of the century. Steamer ships drew near to
the island each Saturday morning, picking up the Squaxin Island women
who stood on floats loaded with their goods to sell in Olympia. Saturday
became known as "Indian Day" and was eagerly awaited.
Those who had moved to the mainland would often return to the island for
a potlatch with family and friends.
There are no year-round residents on Squaxin Island today, yet it is looked
upon by our people as the bond that unites our past, present, and future
generations. Squaxin Island is used for fishing, hunting, shellfish gathering,
camping, and other activities. Only tribal members are allowed on the
island, but permits can be obtained through the tribe's natural resources
department for tribal members to take friends on the island with them.