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
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
- ↑ 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
