JANUARY 22, 1855

POINT ELLIOT TREATY

The Point Elliot Treaty, ratified by the U.S. government in 1859, created a Government-to-Government relationship between the United States and the tribes of the Puget Sound region. Signatories to the Treaty included Territorial Governor Isaac Stevens and representatives from among other tribes the Duwamish (represented by Chief Seattle), Suquamish, Snoqualmie, Snohomish, Lummi, Skagit, and Swinomish. In return for large cessions of tribal lands, the treaty established the Suquamish Port Madison, Tulalip, Swinomish, and Lummi reservations. The treaty also guaranteed fishing and hunting rights.  American immigrants soon violated the Treaty triggering a series of Native rebellions from 1855 to 1858 known as “the Indian War.”

Source: “Point Elliott Treaty, Mulkilteo Walking Tour Stop 2— Registered State Historic Place,” Point Elliott Treaty Historical Marker.  Retrieved 8/7/2022, Point Elliott Treaty Historical Marker (hmdb.org)

Treaty:  U.S. Government, 1855. Public Domain.