Swinomish Indian Tribal Communit y
People of the Salmon ubutbutla ibitubu
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We raise our hands to you in welcome!
Everything starts and ends with the land and the water. These are the Swinomish teachings and values passed down from generation to generation. We only need to listen, and we will hear their teachings.
The Stable Canoe We paddle our canoe in harmony and balance, this is our teaching.
– Larry Campbell, Swinomish Elder
The Swinomish people
are rooted today along the Salish Sea. We are the People of the Salmon
and our way of life is sustained by our connection to the water and the lands where we have fished, gathered and hunted since time immemorial. We honor our ancestors representing four aboriginal bands: Swinomish, Samish, Lower Skagit and Kikiallus, who joined together to form the present day Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. Seven generations ago, in 1855, Swinomish Chiefs and eighty-one other tribal Chiefs gathered at Múckl-teóh (present-day Mukilteo, Washington) to sign the Treaty of Point Elliott. Our ancestors committed to protecting a way of life passed down from generation to generation. The eleven elected members of the Swinomish Senate continue that commitment by strengthening our government so that we may protect our treaty, culture and collective well-being. As a sovereign nation, we engage in local and state commerce, manage our natural resources, and exercise power over our homelands and waters. We value collaboration with fellow tribal and non-tribal governments. Our partnerships spread throughout Washington state, the Pacific region and the nation. As a tribal community, we are proud and honored to play leadership roles through partnerships with the Association of Washington Tribes, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, the National Congress of American Indians, as well as other important institutions advocating for the rights of Native people.
left Alexis Bobb, granddaughter of Susan Wilbur,
daughter of James and Sandy Bobb. TOP Chairman Brian Cladoosby, President Barack
Obama, 2009. Photo courtesy of the White House. Middle Lone Tree: a traditional gathering place of Swinomish people. bottom Tribal Elders Mike Cladoosby and Kevin Day, following in the footsteps of their forefathers. Fishing the Skagit. Photo credit needed. PHOTO: Need photo credit
A Prosperous Future
Building for future generations.
Swinomish invests in our children ,
who are the future; in the natural resources, which sustain
all that we do; and in successful economic development, which allows us to fulfill the hopes and dreams of our tribal citizens.
“We are overcoming the broken cycles that have challenged and impacted our way of life. Our strength comes from the values and principles of cultural teachings that keep our spirit and mind balanced as we continue to walk in two worlds. We are committed to providing a prosperous future for generations to come." – Dianne Edwards, Swinomish citizen
We work hard to be successful, because our success ensures opportunities for tribal citizens to attain their education and prosper in the future. The strong foundation provided by our government, and the policies and programs they enact, allow us to provide important services for the Swinomish people as well as our neighbors, including: >> Health and social services , including dental and health care and childcare >> Education support from preschool through higher education >> Economic development investments that lead to employment and training opportunities that benefit the local and state economy >> Natural and cultural resource protection that builds a healthy community for future generations >> Community safety and planning that promotes sustainable community development >> Investments in and support of local organizations that strengthen the communities in which we live Swinomish is proud to be one of the largest employers in Skagit County. We bring jobs to the economy and contribute to local organizations and public schools. We are dedicated to helping right Clarissa “Wray Wray” Wilken James. TOP
grow the local and state economy while at the same time providing for our people.
Tribal member Stephanie Bailey and son. Middle top Swinomish Casino and Hotel. Middle bottom
Swinomish Crabbers and Fishermen, Norval Charles, Jason Paul and Steve Edwards. bottom Diverse Economy: Swinomish Gas Stations. PHOTO: Need image credit
PHOTO: Need photo credit
Stewards of the Skagit
People of the Salmon, People of Swinomish
We, the Swinomish people ,
carry 10,000 years of knowledge about our ancestral lands and
waters. We combine our knowledge with contemporary science to care for and protect the natural environment on behalf of the Swinomish people. In 1855, we reserved in our Treaty of Point Elliot the right to harvest salmon and shellfish in the Salish Sea, the Skagit River and other waters, and the right to hunt and gather on all open and unclaimed lands. Swinomish is committed to restoring and protecting not only the six wild runs of salmon in the Skagit, but all the resources in the Salish Sea region. A healthy habitat and clean and abundant water supply allow salmon to survive and return home. Swinomish believes the health of the Skagit is not only important for our people, but for all the people who call the Pacific Northwest home. As a community, we are committed to protecting,
“We paddled the waters of the Skagit and the Salish Sea long before anyone applied names in English to the places we call home. To us, we live at the most beautiful place on the planet, and I give thanks to our Creator every day for the blessings bestowed on the Swinomish people by Mother Earth.� Brian Cladoosby, Chairman, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community
restoring and enhancing: >> Skagit River wild salmon >> Habitat necessary to sustain wild salmon >> The surface and ground water of the Skagit and surrounding watersheds >> The vast land and forests that make up the Skagit Region We work today so that our generations will grow ever stronger, and so we, the Swinomish people, will always be the People of the Salmon.
TOP Barbara James and her grandchildren,
along with Kennedy Miller. Middle Eagle. bottom First co-owned and co-managed
Tirbal/State Park in the nation, Kukatale Park
values
family, responsibility, respect, honor, trust, honesty The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community gathered these words from contemporary and historic interviews with Swinomish leaders and elders. The values expressed in words like family, respect and trust, honor and honesty, combined with a generosity of spirit, help to frame the community’s outlook in relationship to itself and its neighbors.
All photography provided by Spike Mafford, unless otherwise noted.
Swinomish Indian Tribal Communit y 11404 Moorage Way, LaConner, WA 98257 | (360) 466-3163 | www.swinomish-nsn.gov