"Big River People"

The Skokomish Tribe was one of nine separate groups brought together by a common territory, similar cultural patterns, and the Twana language. The Twana language is considered part of the Salish language.

"Skokomish" describes the original Twana inhabitants of the villages along the Skokomish River and its north fork. Indeed, the name Skokomish means "Big River People." The tribe's first recorded contact with European culture was with British explorer Captain George Vancouver in 1792 and resulted in a devastating smallpox epidemic that took the lives of many.

Twana territory, now known as Hood Canal, encompasses salt water shoreline as well as the Skokomish River Delta and drainage areas. The Skokomish Reservation borders the Great Bend, where Highway 101 and State Route 106 meet. The recently renovated Lucky Dog Casino on US Highway 101 is owned and operated by the tribe.

Near the casino is the Skokomish Tribal Center and Museum. The museum houses wood carvings, masks, totems, and original hunting and fishing tools, historical photos and bead work from the previous centuries.

The intricate basketry and artwork of the Skokomish Tribe is world-renown. A familiar motif of the highly prized Twana baskets is the row of "dog" figures along the crest of the basket. The Skokomish Dog denotes territorial association with the Twana people. The Skokomish Dog motif also graces the Mary E. Theler Exhibit Building at the Hood Canal Watershed Project Center in Belfair.

The complete history and significance of the Skokomish Dog is more completely told during ceremony.

From The Skokomish Tribe page on our Blog:

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