Squaxin Island The “People of the Water” territory, encompass “the seven inlets” of South Puget Sound.
Before the Medicine Creek Treaty (1854) each inlet had a Squaxin settlement. In 1854 they were forced to live on Squaxin Island. Although spiritually close to homelands, this island was small with little to no water source. Access to schools and stores was difficult and there was no electricity. By the 1960s many tribal members moved away to build nearby. In the 1970s, the Squaxin Tribe obtained the Kamilche School near Shelton, where they built the Little Creek Casino Resort (1995). Revenues generated allowed them to provide housing and infrastructure for their people. As the waterways of the seven inlets had been historically connected by dugout cedar canoes, recent tribal cultural revitalization efforts have focused on language preservation and canoe carving. This process rejuvenated carving both as art and as a highly technical craft. In 1995, Squaxin Island Tribe began carving two 22,000-pound cedar logs from the Wynoochee Valley. When not being paddled, the two canoes are housed at the Canoe Shed at Squaxin Island Tribe’s Museum Library and Research Center, where visitors can view them.
Squaxin Island Museum
With architecture inspired by a Squaxin rock-carving (petroglyph) of a thunderbird (spiritually important mythical animal featured in many tribal histories), the traditional plankstyle big-house is surrounded by native plant gardens and reflecting pools. Besides providing world class exhibits and a giftshop, the museum features a library and research center to promote education. Interior design features an amphitheater reminiscent of a traditional space for sharing stories and drumming. The building hosts many popular events to celebrate culture, history and the arts.
