Nisqually

Sahehwamish Indians

The Sahehwamish Indians, associated with the Nisqually dialect group of the Salishan linguistic stock, inhabited the innermost inlets of Puget Sound. Their subdivisions included Elosedabsh along Medicine Creek, Sahewabsh at Arcadia, Skwayaithlhabsh on Mud Bay, Statcasabsh at Tumwater, Tapiksdabsh near Oyster Bay, and Tutsetcakl on South Bay. Population estimates suggest 1,200 members in 1780, decreasing to 780 by 1907. The name Sahehwamish likely refers to a specific locality.

Puyallup Indians

The Puyallup Indians, part of the Nisqually dialectic group within the Salishan linguistic family, reside at the mouth of the Puyallup River and surrounding coastal areas. Their notable villages include Eshaktlabsh, Kalkalak, and Puyallup, among others. The 1937 U.S. Office of Indian Affairs recorded a population of 322 Puyallup individuals. Their legacy endures through various geographical features, including the Puyallup River, an Indian reservation, a glacier, and the town of Puyallup in Pierce County.

Nisqually Indians

The Nisqually Indians, associated with the Nisqually River, are also known by various names, including Quallyamish and Askwalli. Their settlements, such as Bashalabsh and Sakwiabsh, are primarily located along the Nisqually and Puyallup Rivers. Historically, their population peaked at about 3,600 in 1780 but declined significantly, with only 62 reported in 1937. Despite their diminished numbers, the Nisqually Indians remain recognized through the naming of the river and the post village in Thurston County.