Swinomish Indians of the Swinomish Reservation of Washington

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Swinomish Indian Tribal Community
Fidalgo Island 32034.JPG
Southeastern Fidalgo Island; the Swinomish Reservation is in the middle distance beyond Similk Bay.
Total population
(778 (ca. 2002)[1])
Regions with significant populations
 United States ( Washington)
Languages
Swinomish, English,[2] formerly Samish
Religion
traditional tribal religion
Related ethnic groups
other Salish peoples

The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, also known as the Swinomish Tribe, is a federally recognized Tribe located on Puget Sound in Washington.[3] They are an Indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest that includes the Central and Coast Salish peoples who lived in the Samish and Skagit River valleys, nearby coasts, and islands. The Tribe's population includes Swinomish, Lower Skagit, Upper Skagit, Kikiallus, and Samish peoples.[1]

The Swinomish Medical Center provides healthcare services for local Native Americans. Opened in 2000, the clinic building also houses a fitness center and diabetes program.[1]

Reservation

The Swinomish Reservation is located on Puget Sound, on the southeastern side of Fidalgo Island in Skagit County, Washington.[4] It was established in 1855 by the Treaty of Point Elliot. The reservation is 15 square miles in acreage, including 7,450 acres of upland and 2,900 acres of tidelands.[1] According to the 2000 census, the resident population of 2,664 persons, with 23% being fullblood Native Americans.[5]

Government

The Tribe's headquarters is in Swinomish Village. The Tribe drafted its constitution and by-laws in 1936, following the Indian Reorganization Act, which encouraged Tribes to re-establish self-government.

Swinomish is governed by a democratically elected, 11-member Senate; members serve staggered five-year-terms. Senate officers in 2015 are:

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  • Chairman: Brian Cladoosby
  • Vice chairman: Brian Porter
  • Treasurer: Barbara James
  • Secretary: Sophie Bailey.[3]

Language

English is commonly spoken by Tribal members. Some elders speak Swinomish (also known as Skagit), a Lushootseed language that is part of the Central Salish language family.[2] Some also spoke Samish, another Central Salish language.[6]

Economic development

The Swinomish Tribe owns and operates the Swinomish Casino & Lodge, overlooking Padilla Bay; Swinomish Golf Links, nearby on Highway 20; Swinomish RV Park, on Swinomish Channel; Swinomish Fish Co., which processes and cans salmon marketed worldwide under the "Native Catch" label; and two Chevron stations and convenient stores.[7] The gaming complex generates revenues that help support Tribal services, such as health and education.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Swinomish Tribe." Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board. Retrieved 16 Sept 2013. A dental clinic is located nearby.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Skagit." Ethnologue. Retrieved 16 Sept 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Who We Are." Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. Retrieved 15 Sept 2013.
  4. ↑ Pritzker 202
  5. ↑ Swinomish Reservation, Washington United States Census Bureau
  6. ↑ "Salish, Straits", Ethnologue. Retrieved 16 Sept 2013.
  7. ↑ "Swinomish Casino & Lodge." 500 Nations. Retrieved 16 Sept 2013.

References

  • Pritzker, Barry M. A Native American Encyclopedia: History, Culture, and Peoples. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. ISBN 978-0-19-513877-1.

External links

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