Puyallup Tribal Group Research Paper

By: Connor Natiuk

Tribes have been a part of the United States for as long as we have been here. They have
lived here longer than we have, and have a significant impact in many states including Alaska,
Colorado, and California, along with many others. We have been given information and insight
into how these tribes work and what they do for our country.
There are 29 tribes in Washington, and we are going to delve into the Puyallup Tribe in
northern Washington. The Puyallup Tribe’s reservation was established in 1856 and comprises
around 18000 acres.
The Puyallup Tribe is based in Washington’s western Puget Sound area, and lives in
villages along the shores of the Puget Sound. Cedar trees provide them with wood, and they live
in an area that is abundant with animals, which they can hunt and eat. They live by many streams
which can provide fish and water for their tribe. They have many habitat areas, as their tribe is
spread out along rivers, prairies, and the foothills of Mount Tacoma.

Today, the Puyallup Tribe has areas of land that are extended areas of the Tacoma cities.
Their houses are more modern, and Puyallup is considered one of the most urban Native
American tribes.
 Salmon is the main food in the tribe’s culture, and is very important in rituals and
ceremonies. Puyallup Tribes mascot or symbol is a salmon as well. They hunt for game, and eat
other animals but salmon is the dominant food source.

Clothing is provided by animals and the Red Cedar trees in the area. The Red Cedars also
provide supplies for lodging and basketry. Tribes like Puyallup have rituals and powwows,
festivals where there is feasting, singing and dancing, extravagant clothing, and more.

Since this tribe lives in and around urban areas, they use cars to their advantage. However
with their trees, they are able to have transportation with boats made out of the wood, which is
the more traditional way of transportation.
 Casinos provide a lot of their funds for tribal development. If you are driving on the
freeway near Tacoma and the Puyallup area, you are most likely to see the New Emerald Queen
Casino. The $350 million project provided over 200 new jobs and featured murals and cultural
icons of the Puyallup tribe.

There are seven members of the tribes council, which was upped from five in 1991. The
tribes council works to ensure the happiness of the tribe’s members, government operations, and
helps with the financial success of the tribe. It strives to build on what the ancestors of the tribe
envisioned for its success. It works to provide programs to help the people in the tribe live and
flourish.

All of these things come together to make up what we know as the Puyallup Tribe here in
Washington. These tribes are symbols of the cultural diversity we have in this country, and will
continue to symbolize that for years to come.

WORKS CITED
“EQC: New Casino.” Emerald Queen Hotel & Casinos,

www.emeraldqueen.com/newcasinoxxx/.

“Puyallup Indian Tribe.” Puyallup Indian Tribe, u-s-history.com/pages/h1563.html.

“Puyallup Tribal History.” Puyallup Tribe - Home, www.puyallup-tribe.com/ourtribe/.

“Puyallup Tribe.” Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, www.npaihb.org/member-

tribes/puyallup-tribe/.

“Puyallup Tribe Facts for Kids.” Puyallup Tribe Facts for Kids,

kids.kiddle.co/Puyallup_tribe.