Who: Nooksack Tribe(Noot-sa-ack) 1800 enrollment members.
Where: Whatcom County (Deming Washington)
History:
In 1971, they were granted 1 acre of land after being recognized by us government, and overtime expanded to 2500 acres.
1855 tribe was first recognized under the Point Elliot treaty (Land was taken from multiple tribes from Elliot bay down to Everett harbor).
AS of 2000 there were only 547 people living on the 2720 acres, only 373 were Native American
Nooksack has two different translations, one being “mountain men” which has no justification and the other was fern being a staple food they relied on. Noot-sa-ack
Speak the same language as the Squamish, which were believed to be the tribe they parted ways with, spoke different language than close neighboring tribes.
Were an agile and vigorous tribe not only relying on fishing for food
BUSINESS:
Have 2 casinos, one on the Nooksack River in Deming wa, and another in Lynden wa,
Conducts business by the tribal council, 8 elected officials, a chairmen, vice chairmen, treasure, secretary, 4 council members. Council members are voted by tribal members 18 years or older
Used to eat mountain berries, fish, roots and ferns, relied on nets and fishing lines to gather food.
Participants of the Pacific Salmon Treaty Negotiations, bringing Nooksack natural resources into the arena of fisheries.
Health center
Nooksack Natural Resources (NNR), train members to fish properly (watershed problems, maintain and renewing natural resources.)
Services:
Elders program, offering food and medical treatment
Care givers programs, meal deliver, home, rest home, and hospital visitations, art classes, blood pressure and foot care once a week
Youth and family services provide welfare for children so the state doesn’t need to, but state can help provide the best care possible.
If child needs to be removed from home, they will placed with family into the tribe, or a native home
