Indian Tribe History

Most of the tribes listed on this page do not have a connection to a larger tribe.  We list them here so you can find some information on their history. For a complete listing of our 700 plus tribes visit Indian History page

Samish. A Salish division formerly on a river and bay of the same name in Washington, now on Lummi Reservation.  Aseakum and Nukhwhaiimikhl were among their villages.

Sanpoil. A body of Salish on Sans Poil river and on the Columbia below Big bend, Washington.  Gibbs classed them as one of the 8 bands of Spokan and also as one of the 6 bands of Okinagan, they being claimed by both tribes.  In 1905 they were reported to number 324, on the Colville Reservation, but in 1909 their population was given as only 178, the disparity being attributed to duplication in previous counts. No treaty was ever made with these Indians for their lands, the Government taking possession of their country except such portions as have been set apart by Executive order for their occupancy.

Santiam. A Kalapooian tribe formerly residing on the river of the same name, an east tributary of the Willamette, in Oregon.  They are now on Grande Ronde Reservation, where they numbered 23 in 1906.  In 1909 the number officially reported was only 5, the remainder evidently having received patents for their lands and became citizens.  In 1877 Gatschet was able to learn of 4 bands, Chamifu, Chanchampeneau, Chanchantu and Chantkaip, which had formerly existed in the tribe.

Satsop. A Salish division on Satsop River, emptying into Chehalis River, Washington.  Usually classed under the collective term Lower Chehalis.

Semiahmoo. A Salish tribe living about the bay of the same in north west Washington and south west British Columbia.  In 1843 they numbered about 300 and in 1909 there were 38 of the tribe on the Canadian side.

Senijextee. A Salish tribe formerly residing on both sides of Columbia River from Kettle falls to the Canadian boundary; they also occupied the valley of Kettle River; Kootenay River form its mouth to the first falls, and the region of the Arrow Lakes, British Columbia.  In 1909 those in the United States numbered 342 on the Colville Reservation, Washington.

Siletz. A former Salishan tribe on a river of the same name in north west Oregon.  It was the southernmost Salishan tribe on the coast.  Latterly the name was extended to designate all the tribes on the Siletz Reservation in Oregon which belong to the Athapascan, Yakonan, Kusan, Takilman, Shastan and Shahaptian linguistic families.

Squaxon. A Salish division on the peninsula between Hoods canal and Case inlet, Washington, under the Puyallup school superintendency.  Population 98 in 1909.

Suquamish. A Silish division on the west side of Puget Sound, Washington.  According to Paige (Ind. Aff. Rep, 329, 1857) they claimed the land from Appletree cove in the north to Gig Harbor in the south.  Seattle, who gave his name to the city, was chief of this tribe and the Dwamish in 1853. Population 441 in 1857, 180 in 1909.

Siuslaw. A. small Yakonan tribe formerly living on and near Siuslaw River, west Oregon. It is now nearly extinct, a few survivors only being on the Siletz Reservation. The following were the former villages of the Siuslaw as ascertained by Dorsey in 1884 (Jour. Am. Folklore, iii, 230, 1890): Khaikuchum, Khachtais, Hauwiyat, Kruumiyus, Khalakw, Khakhaich, Hilakwitiyus, Thlachaus, Kwsichichu, Mithlausmintthai, Stthukhwich, Chimuksaich, Waitus, Shkuteh, Paauwis, Pilumas, Tiekwachi, Kumkwu, Tsatauwis, Kwuskwemus, Kwulhauunnich, Thlekuaus, Kwnltsaiya, Pithlkwutsiaus, Wetsiaus, Kuskussu, Kupimithlta, Tsahais, Matsnikth, Pia, Khaiyumitu, Yukhwustitu, Kwunnumis, Tsiekhawevathl.

Skilloot. A Chinookan tribe found by Lewis and Clark in 1806 residing on both sides of Columbia river in Washington and Oregon, above and below the entrance of Cowlitz river, and numbering in all 2,500 souls. The Hullooetell may have been a band of them (Orig. Jour. Lewis and Clark, 111, 196; vi, 68, 117, 1905). They were among the tribes almost exterminated by the fever epidemic of 1823. Later their principal village was Cooniac, at Oak Point, Washington. In 1850 Lane placed their number at 200, but as a tribe they disappeared from view a few years later. The Seamysty appear to have been a division.

Skaddal. A tribe numbering 200 persons, found by Lewis and Clark in 1806 on Cataract (Klikitat) river, 25 miles north of Big Narrows, in the present Washington, and mentioned by Robertson in 1846, under the name Saddals, as numbering 400. They subsisted by hunting deer and elk, and traded with the Emeeshur and Skilloot for prepared fish. Classed by Mooney as a division of the Pisquows living about Boston creek and Kahchass lake, at the head of Yakima river.

Skagit. A body of Salish on a river of the same name in Washington, particularly about its mouth, and on the middle portion of Whidbey island, especially at Penn's cove. According to Gibbs the population of the Skagit proper in 1853 was about 300. They are now on Swinomish Reservation, Washington. Gibbs makes this division include the Kikiallu, Nukwatsamish, Towahha, Smalihu, Sakumehu,  Miskaiwhu, Miseekwigweelis, Swinamish, and Skwomamish; but probably nothing more is meant by this classification than that the dialects of the several divisions were nearly related and the geographical position close. Nothing like political union appears to have existed among them.

Snake. A name applied to many different bodies of Shoshonean Indians but most persistently to those of eastern Oregon, to which the following synonyms refer.  These Indians form one dialectic group with the Paviotso of west Nevada and the Mono of south east California.  The principal Snake tribes were on the Walpapi and Yahuskin.

Snohomish. A Salish tribe formerly on the south end of Whidbey Island, Puget Sound and the on the mainland opposite at the the mouth of Snohomish river, Washington. Population 350 in 1850. The remnant is now on Tulalip Reservation, Washington, mixed with other broken tribes.

Swallah/Swalash. Said to be a band of Salish (perhaps one of the Lummi subdivisions) on Orcas Island of the San Juan group, north west Washington; now on Lummi Reservation.

Swinomish. Said to be a subdivision of the Skagit, formerly on Whidbey Island, north west Washington, now under the Tulalip school superintendency.  The Skagit and Swinomish together numbered 208 in 1909.

Index of Tribes or NationsFree Genealogy | Indian Genealogy | Index of Tribes or Nations