The Snoqualmie Indians, deriving their name from the native term sdokwalbiuqu, are part of the Nisqually branch of the Salishan linguistic family. They resided along the Snoqualmie and Skykomish Rivers, with notable villages such as those at Cherry Valley, Fall City, and Staktaledjabsh. By 1857, their population was recorded at 225. The Snoqualmie’s legacy continues today through the names of the Snoqualmie River and the town of Snoqualmie in King County, Washington.
Patkanim was a prominent chieftain of the Snoqualmie tribe and a significant figure on the eastern shore of Puget Sound. Known for his shrewdness, he initially opposed white settlers but maintained relations with Hudson’s Bay Company officials. His duplicity was evident during the 1849 attack on Fort Nisqually, where he feigned neutrality while his brother led the assault. During the 1855 Indian War, he helped the settlers by raising a company of scouts, ultimately demonstrating a pragmatic approach to his survival and leadership.