Work begins on Puyallup tribal history book

By Matt Nagle

The Historic Preservation Department and the Puyallup Tribal News staff are in the beginning stages of putting together an updated and expanded book on the complete history of the Puyallup Tribe.

This is a big project that cannot be done without tribal members’ assistance. Help is needed in the form of documents, news articles or photographs tribal members may have and be willing to either donate to the Historic Preservation Department or to loan for copying or extended study. All materials will be handled with utmost care and returned upon request.

The authors are also seeking oral stories from tribal members, especially elders, who lived through the defining moments in Puyallup Tribal history. With permission, interviews will be recorded for a future video documentary to secure a permanent record. The book will include tribal legends and lore as well as tribal artwork. Special attention will be given to noteworthy leaders among the tribal membership, with names and information about key historical figures in the Tribe’s legacy.

Working from the 17-page booklet “History of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians,” written and compiled by Judy Wright, historic preservationist for the Tribe and lead consultant on the project, the authors will cover the entire history of the Tribe in chronological order starting from the earliest days when the Tribe enjoyed unlimited peace and freedom on the ocean shores, rivers and creeks of Puget Sound.

The book will open with a cultural overview that will include such topics as the lands the Tribe encompassed and relationships with neighboring tribes, daily life, family life and social organization, clothing and ceremonial regalia, sacred plants and animals, chiefs and tribal leaders, language and more.

The book then moves into telling the story of when settlers arrived and the Medicine Creek Treaty was signed leading into land allotments; St. George’s Catholic Indian Mission and Cushman Hospital; formation of the Tribal Council; the fishing rights struggle and subsequent formation of Tribal Law

Enforcement; seizure of Cushman Hospital and other efforts to reclaim tribal lands and property.

From there, chapters will cover the Tribe’s moves toward self-determination by establishing tribal health care facilities,

financial self-sufficiency through the bingo hall and casinos, and on up to today’s partnerships with the Port of Tacoma and other business ventures on which the Tribe is embarking.

This is just a very general overview of the project, and much more will be covered in depth as the book comes together.

The challenge now is for the authors to gather all the information they can from a variety of sources, and help from tribal members would be most welcome and appreciated.

Contact Judy Wright or Amber Santiago at the Historic Preservation Department – (253) 573-7965; judy.wright@puyalluptribe.com; amber.santiago@puyalluptribe.com, or Tribal News director John Weymer at (253) 759-5773.

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