Lummi are a coastal Native American people of the region surrounding Puget Sound in northwestern Washington. They make up part of the larger group called Coastal Salish, who share similar cultural and religious traditions (see Salish). Most Lummi people live on a reservation, which is land that is reserved by the tribe through treaty. The Lummi Nation has its own tribal government, laws, police, and public services.
The Pacific Ocean and the region’s rivers traditionally provided the Lummi with abundant resources. The Lummi made their living by fishing and hunting and by gathering wild plant foods. Salmon was their most important resource. In the summer, small groups of Lummi lived in shelters near prime fishing grounds. In winter, longhouses built from cedar planks held several related families in small villages. Shamans (medicine men and women) were used to perform healing rituals.
The potlatch was an important ceremonial festival among the Lummi. At these feasts, hosts bestowed gifts and food on guests to form friendships, spread wealth, and mark special events. The potlatch was banned in the United States in the late 1800’s. In 2007, Lummi leaders revived the tradition of the potlatch.
English, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish traders first encountered the Lummi in the late 1700’s. By 1850, demand for lumber, fish, and other resources brought many American settlers into the region. In 1855, Lummi leaders joined other tribes in signing the Point Elliott Treaty. The treaty gave most of the traditional Lummi lands to the United States. Most Lummi live on a small reservation set aside for them by the treaty. Many continue to work in the fishing industry.
