Sahewamish
The Sahewamish were an Indian tribe living in what is now Washington State . They lived on southern Puget Sound and were culturally part of the coastal Salish .
They were mainly related to the neighboring Squaxin , for which Squaxin Island was established as a reserve . Relationships also existed as far as the northern Puget Sound , as well as Skokomish and Twana .
Like most tribes in the northwest, the Sahewamish made a substantial living on salmon . It was named after the large village Sahéwabc or Sahéwabsh near Arcadia .
history
For the period around 1780, the number of Sahewamish is estimated at around 1,200. After the severe smallpox epidemic of 1853, their number collapsed to around 50.
Originally the Sahewamish inhabited about six villages on the Nisqually River and Allister (Medicine) Creek. In addition, they lived scattered on various bays and fjords, such as Henderson (South) Bay, Totten (Oyster) Bay and on Bud, Mud and Hammersley Inlet.
literature
- Robert H. Ruby / John A. Brown: A Guide to the Indian Tribes of the Pacific Northwest , University of Oklahoma Press 1992, p. 178