NISQUALLY, THURSTON COUNTY, WASHINGTON

Nisqually, in Thurston County, is a region steeped in history, primarily recognized as the ancestral homeland of the Nisqually Tribe. For over 10,000 years, the Nisqually people have thrived here, deeply connected to the Nisqually River and its rich resources, particularly salmon, which formed the foundation of their culture. The landscape changed dramatically with the arrival of Euro-American settlers and the establishment of Fort Nisqually in 1833, marking the first non-Native settlement on Puget Sound. The Medicine Creek Treaty of 1854 established the Nisqually Reservation, though the tribe faced significant challenges to their lands and rights over subsequent decades, including the expansion of Fort Lewis. Despite historical adversity, the Nisqually Tribe has shown remarkable resilience, continuing their traditions and becoming a significant economic and environmental steward in Thurston County. Their enduring legacy is powerfully portrayed in historical photographs.