Upper Skagit Indian Tribe
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| Enrolled members: 540 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States Washington |
|
| Languages | |
| English, Lushootseed dialect (endangered) | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity (incl. syncretistic forms) | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Salishan tribes of coastal Northwest, especially Lower Skagit, Sauk-Suiattle, |
The Upper Skagit are a federally recognized Native American tribe living in the state of Washington. Before European colonization, the tribe occupied lands along the Skagit River, from as far downstream as present-day Mount Vernon, Washington, and villages going north as far as Newhalem along the Skagit River, as well as lands on the Baker, and the Sauk rivers.[1]
Culturally, the Upper Skagit share characteristics with the Lower Skagit, the Coast Salish, such as the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe, as well as the Plateau Indians on the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains.[2] They traditionally spoke Lushootseed, part of the Salishan language family. It was spoken by many coastal tribes of the Northwest.
Upper Skagit Indian Reservation[edit]
The Upper Skagit Indian Reservation consists of three separate small parcels of land in western Skagit County. The cities of Sedro-Woolley and Burlington have developed near the reservation parcels. The largest section, located northeast of Sedro Woolley, is at 48°32′31″N 122°11′15″W / 48.54194°N 122.18750°W, while the smaller western sections are at 48°33′33″N 122°20′42″W / 48.55917°N 122.34500°W (the section where the casino is), and at 48°34′07″N 122°20′43″W / 48.56861°N 122.34528°W, between Burlington and Alger. The total land area is 84 acres (0.447 km²). Its resident population was 238 persons as of the 2000 census.[3]
The Upper Skagit owns and operates the Skagit Valley Casino Resort, along with the Bow Hill gas station located on Bow Hill.
References[edit]
- ^ Collins, June M. Valley of the Spirits: The Upper Skagit Indians of Western Washington. Seattle: University of Washington Press. 1974, p. 17.
- ^ Markowitz, Harvey. American Indians, Salem Press, 1995, p.726.
- ^ Detailed Tables - American FactFinder
External links[edit]
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